SLIPP Annual Water Quality Monitoring Plan

for 2012/13

April 12, 2012 Quaaout Lodge

Gabi Matscha (Ministry of Environment)

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Water Quality Plan for 2012/13

Recap: Three Year Water Quality Monitoring Plan (as approved by WQ Committee Feb 2011)

Proposed Monitoring Plan for 2012/13 Overview Proposed procedural changes Discussion about proposed details and changes.

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Cost. Est.

Recommendation as per Integrated Plan

Recommendation

$75,000

1) Deep Stn. Monitoring -  monitoring of key sites effected by salmon run nutrient loading.

-  monitoring of algae bloom related factors (e.g. food web) to identify causes and management options.

-  14C primary production

$ 9,000

2) Littoral Stn. Monitoring -  conduct grab sampling at new sites where seapage has been detected;

-  Questionnaires and dye tests in areas where septic system seepage is a potential problem – w. with IHA.

-  Attached algae study – integrative measure.

$ 9,000 3) Chemical Tracing of sewage and greywater contamination

Houseboat greywater sampling at Nielson Beach beaches to confirm results and improvement through management actions; use different tracer.

$34,000 Total: $127,00

-  Tributary monitoring to identify nutrient and contaminant loading.

2011/12

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2013/14 Cost Est.

Recommendation as per Integrated Plan

Recommendation

$57,000 1) Baseline Deep Stn. Monitoring Continuation of following dependent on results of Yr. 1-2:

-  Understand nutrient dynamics and influence of salmon run on nutrient dynamics

-  Understand factors that support large algae blooms in Shuswap Lake system and how to manage.

$16,000 2) Intensive Littoral Stn. Monitoring -  Estimate seepage and runoff into lake through models for lakewide loading calculations.

$10,000 3) Chemical Tracing of sewage and greywater contamination – Septic systems, STP loading, boat discharges

- Conduct loading calculations based on data collected in Yr. 1-2.

$60,000 Total: $143,000

4) Watershed and Tributary Monitoring, land use and agricultural trends

-  Use outcome of Yr. 2 in lake-wide loading calculations.

-  Monitor contaminants of concern (as identified in earlier years) at several locations in 1-2 watersheds that contribute highest loadings.

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2012 Water Quality Plan Discussion

Procedural Improvements from last Year

Ø  Data Entry in Time

Ø  Interim data base for all SLIPP Partners in 2012 – Excel into Access data base

Ø  Data Entry for all SLIPP Agencies will done by Contractor

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2012/13 Cost Est.

Recommendation as per Integrated Plan

Recommendation after considering MoE work

SLIPP: $68,185 Others: $164,500

1) Deep Stn. Monitoring -  Monitoring of key sites effected by salmon run nutrient loading.

-  Monitoring of general water quality in all Arms and Little Shuswap Lake

-  Algae bloom related sampling (food web)

SLIPP: $7,992 Others: $12,100

2) Littoral Stn. Monitoring -  Joint sampling program with Interior Health small purveyors at sewage seepage sites.

-  Initiate secchi project in Little Shuswap, Mable and Adams Lake, if volunteers available.

-  Continue Periphyton study.

SLIPP: $6,782 Others: $12,630

3) Chemical Tracing of sewage and greywater contamination – Septic systems, STP loading, boat discharges

-  Identify houseboat #s and distribution -  Identify typical greywater production by day

and person on Shuswap houseboats. -  Characterize houseboat greywater chemistry

for later detailed modelling.

SLIPP: $32,000 Others: $82,172

4) Watershed and Tributary Monitoring, land use and agricultural trends

-  Finish GIS based land use mapping and animal unit info collection.

-  Continue Tributary monitoring on remaining arms and Mara Lake (focus on larger streams). Determine tribs w. highest loading.