biodiversity offsetting - water quality

Biodiversity Offsetting

Water Quality

Information Session – Balls FallsJanuary 27, 2016

1) Assess water quality:

• Surface water quality • Groundwater quality

2) Report water quality:

• Annual Water quality Reports

• Watershed Report Card

• NPCA Web Site

NPCA Water Quality Monitoring Program was implemented in 2001 with a mandate

to:

NPCA monitors 74 Surface Water Stations and 15 Groundwater Stations.

Indicator Sources ImpactsChloride Road salt, sewage Ecological toxicity

Phosphorus Fertilizers, sewage Excess algae growth

Nitrate Septic systems, fertilizers Human health

Suspended Solids

Erosion, urban and agricultural runoff

Degraded aquatic habitat

E. coli Sewage, manure Beach closures, boil water advisories

Metals Industrial effluents, pesticides, storm water

runoff

Ecological toxicity

What does the NPCA look at in our water?

Phosphorus

NitrateSuspended SolidsE. coli

Chloride Copper

LeadZinc

Canadian Water Quality Index

Quality Index

Chemical Data Analysis

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DateMay October

PWQO

Dissolved Oxygen Concentrations for Big Forks Creek (May-October 2009)

Total Phosphorus

E. coli

mg/

L

Algae & Duckwee

d

There are two chronic water quality issues:

BioMAP Water Quality Index

Biological Data Analysis

NPCA Groundwater Monitoring

What is the groundwater data telling us?

• Water quality at most NPCA wells meets Ontario Drinking Water Guidelines.

• Those parameters exceeding the Guidelines (i.e. fluoride, sodium) are attributed to natural contact with local bedrock.

• Identify ‘Target Areas’• Are we successful?