CANADA BRITISH COLUMBIA WATER QUALITY MONITORING AGREEMENT

Transcription

1 CANADA BRITISH COLUMBIA WATER QUALITY MONITORING AGREEMENT WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF Elk River AT SPARWOOD (2 5) Prepared by: L. G. Swain, P. Eng. B.C. Ministry of Environment Prepared for: B.C. Ministry of Environment and Environment Canada March 7 Environment Environnement Canada Canada

2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Elk River watershed is located in the southeast corner of British Columbia, and drains 445 km 2 of the Rocky Mountains to the Kootenay River/Lake Koocanusa about km upstream from the border with the United States. It is the most heavily-fished river in the Kootenays, with large populations of westslope cutthroat trout, bull trout and whitefish. The upper most water quality sampling station on the Elk River is located near Sparwood. This assessment is based on up to four years of water quality data during 2-5. The main human activities in the Elk River watershed are open pit coal mining, forestry, outdoor tourism, and residential and commercial development. The water quality trends identified below have not yet been confirmed by statistical analysis. CONCLUSIONS Selenium concentrations always exceeded both CCME and B.C. guidelines for the protection of aquatic life. These high values are associated with high suspended solids concentrations from active open pit mining. Fluoride concentrations may be showing a slight trend to decreasing concentrations; however, a longer period of record is needed to confirm this possible trend. Turbidity, fecal coliform and e. coli concentrations exceeded source water protection guidelines for use of the water with disinfection only. This means that the water should have partial treatment to remove both turbidity and improve the removal of bacteria. Otherwise, water quality was generally good with only occasional values exceeding guidelines for dissolved cadmium and true colour. In cases where total metal concentrations exceeded guideline values, these were generally correlated with higher turbidity concentrations, meaning that the metals were likely in particulate form and not biologically available. Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement i

3 RECOMMENDATIONS We recommend monitoring be continued for the Elk River at Sparwood since it serves as an upstream station for the Elk River at Elko site. Water quality indicators that are important for future monitoring are: flow, water temperature, specific conductivity, ph, turbidity, nutrients, and dissolved oxygen, appropriate forms of metals for comparison to their respective guidelines, and other variables related to drinking water such as colour. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The graphs in this report were prepared by Sacha Wassick of Environment Canada. The draft report was reviewed by Jody Frenette of BC Environment and Andrea Ryan of Environment Canada. Tri-Star Environmental Consulting performed the final edits of the document. We thank these individuals for their contributions to improving this document. Any errors or omissions are the responsibility of the author. Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement ii

4 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Executive Summary... i Conclusions...i Recommendations... ii Acknowledgements... ii Table of Contents... iii List of Figures... iii Introduction... 1 Water Quality Assessment... 2 References... 8 LIST OF FIGURES Page Figure 1. Elk River at Sparwood... 2 Figure 2. Water Survey of Canada Flow Data for Elk River at Phillips Bridge... 4 Figure 3. Aluminum Total and Dissolved... 9 Figure 4. Aluminum - Dissolved... 1 Figure 5. Antimony Total and Dissolved Figure 6. Arsenic Total and Dissolved Figure 7. Barium Total and Dissolved Figure 8. Beryllium Total and Dissolved Figure 9. Beryllium - Dissolved Figure 1. Bismuth Total and Dissolved Figure 11. Boron Total and Dissolved Figure 12. Cadmium Total and Dissolved Figure 13. Calcium - Dissolved Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement iii

5 LIST OF FIGURES (CONTINUED) Page Figure 14. Carbon - Dissolved Inorganic... Figure 15. Chromium Total and Dissolved Figure 16. Cobalt Total and Dissolved Figure 17. Fecal Coliforms Figure 18. Colour - True Figure 19. Copper Total and Dissolved Figure. Escherichia Coli Figure 21. Fluoride - Total Figure 22. Gallium Total and Dissolved Figure 23. Gallium Dissolved Figure 24. Hardness - Total... 3 Figure 25. Iron Total and Dissolved Figure 26. Iron - Dissolved Figure 27. Lanthanum Total and Dissolved Figure 28. Lanthanum - Dissolved Figure 29. Lead Total and Dissolved Figure 3. Lead - Dissolved Figure 31. Lithium Total and Dissolved Figure 32. Magnesium - Dissolved Figure 33. Manganese Total and Dissolved Figure 34. Molybdenum Total and Dissolved... Figure 35. Nickel Total and Dissolved Figure 36. Nitrogen - Dissolved NO3 and NO Figure 37. Nitrogen Total Dissolved Figure 38. ph Figure 39. Phosphorus Dissolved Ortho Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement iv

6 LIST OF FIGURE (CONTINUED Page Figure. Phosphorus - Total Figure 41. Residue Non-Filterable Figure 42. Rubidium Total and Dissolved Figure 43. Selenium Total and Dissolved Figure 44. Silver Total and Dissolved... 5 Figure 45. Specific Conductivity Figure 46. Strontium - Total and Dissolved Figure 47. Sulphate - Dissolved Figure 48. Temperature Air and Water Figure 49. Thallium - Total and Dissolved Figure 5. Tin - Total Figure 51. Turbidity Figure 52. Uranium Total and Dissolved Figure 53. Vanadium Total and Dissolved Figure 54. Vanadium - Dissolved... Figure 55. Zinc Total and Dissolved Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement v

7 INTRODUCTION Since 1985, B.C. Ministry of Environment and Environment Canada have been cooperatively measuring water quality at a number of locations in British Columbia. The express purposes of this joint monitoring program have been to define the quality of the water and to determine whether there are any trends in water quality. Water quality measurements for the Elk River at Sparwood are from samples collected m upstream from the bridge located at the end of the road to Garrett Ready Mix Plant site in Sparwood. Its coordinates are N and W. The drainage area at this point is about 35 km 2. The data were plotted on a graph over time, along with the relevant water quality guidelines. The graphs were inspected for "environmentally significant" trends defined as being where the measurements are increasing or decreasing over time and the levels are close to the guidelines, or are otherwise judged to represent an important change in water quality. These trends are further evaluated to ensure that they were not caused by measurement errors, to identify their causes, and to determine whether they are statistically significant. A confidence level of 95% or better is used to define statistical significance, unless noted otherwise. The Elk River drains over 445 km 2 of the Rocky Mountains to the Kootenay River/Lake Koocanusa about km upstream from the border with the United States. The river is important for fish spawning and rearing, for migrating salmon, and for irrigation, livestock watering, drinking water, and recreation. It is the most heavily-fished river in the Kootenays, with large populations of westslope cutthroat trout, bull trout and whitefish. Main influences on water quality include open pit coal mining, forestry, outdoor tourism, and residential and commercial development. Large scale coal mining began in the Elk River Valley in 197 and has since expanded to five major coal mining operations producing over 25 million metric tons of coal each year. The Elk Valley presently contains the largest producing coalfield in British Columbia. There are also non-point Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 1

8 source discharges from agriculture, urban development, forestry, transportation and stream bank erosion. FIGURE 1: ELK RIVER NEAR SPARWOOD WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT Data for the Elk River downstream form Sparwood have been collected on a frequency of about once every two weeks. As well, twice per year, two additional samples are collected in order to ensure that there are two periods when weekly samples are collected during five consecutive weeks. In addition, quality assurance samples (blanks and replicates) are collected six times per year. These results for each variable were used in this assessment to identify potential outliers that should be removed form consideration Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 2

9 of trends, and to flag questionable data in the database ( as to possible or likely errors. The state of the water quality was assessed by comparing the values to the B.C.'s approved and working guidelines (if guidelines exist for the variable) for water quality (B.C. Ministry of Environment, 6a and b), and by looking for any obvious trends in the data. Any levels or apparent trends that were found to be deleterious or potentially deleterious to sensitive water uses, including drinking water, aquatic life, wildlife, recreation, irrigation, and livestock watering were noted in the following variable-byvariable discussion described below in alphabetical order. When concentrations of a substance cannot be detected, we have plotted the concentration at the level of detection. We believe this to be a conservative approach to assessing possible trends. As well, there are times when measurements were not taken for some reason. In these cases, straight lines will join the two consecutive points and may give the illusion on the graph of a trend that does not exist. In some cases, testing for the presence of a variable has been terminated after a certain period. In general, this has been because a previous data assessment and review has indicated that collections of these data are not warranted for this station. For other variables, concerns about concentrations may have only arisen in recent years. The following water quality indicators were not discussed as they met all water quality guidelines (if guidelines exist) and showed no clearly visible trends: total and dissolved antimony, boron, ph, dissolved ortho phosphorus, and total phosphorus. The following water quality indicators that are not discussed further in the report seemed to fluctuate through the year according to turbidity concentrations, but were below guideline values (if guidelines exist) and had no other trends: arsenic (total), beryllium (total), bismuth (total), dissolved organic carbon, cobalt (total), copper (total), gallium Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 3

10 (total), lanthanum (total), lead (total), manganese (total), nickel (total), non-filterable residue, rubidium (total), thallium, tin, vanadium, and zinc. Other water quality indicators that are not discussed further in the report seemed to fluctuate through the year according to the specific conductivity of the water. These types of indicators that were not measured above guideline values (if guidelines exist) included: barium, hardness, lithium, magnesium, molybdenum, nitrate plus nitrite nitrogen (dissolved), total dissolved nitrogen, strontium, sulphate, and uranium. FIGURE 2: WATER SURVEY OF CANADA FLOW DATA FOR ELK RIVER AT PHILLIPS BRIDGE Flow (Figure 2) values showed fairly typical patterns characteristic of interior river systems, with peak flows in May through June and low flows during August through March, generally declining through that period of time. Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 4

11 Aluminum (Figure 3) values (dissolved) never exceeded the guideline; however, total concentrations on occasion did exceed the dissolved aluminum guideline. These high total values corresponded to high turbidity values and so were not likely biologically available. As expected, there was no apparent correlation between dissolved aluminum and turbidity levels. Cadmium (Figure 12) when measured as total concentrations at times exceeded the guideline that fluctuates with hardness. These high total values were correlated with higher turbidity values, meaning that the cadmium was likely in particulate form and not biologically available. All but one dissolved cadmium concentrations were always less than the guideline. Calcium (Figure 13) values fluctuated with specific conductivity, as expected. Values were well in excess of 8 mg/l guideline that indicates that the water is well buffered to acidic inputs. Chromium (Figure 15) concentrations (total) fluctuated with turbidity and occasionally exceeded the most restrictive guideline for hexavalent chromium. The chromium was likely associated with particulate matter on such occasions and would not be biologically available. All dissolved concentrations were below the hexavalent chromium guideline. Fecal Coliforms (Figure 17) occasionally exceeded the guideline for source water protection where only disinfection is used, but these higher values were associated with increased turbidity values. Partial treatment of the source water would be needed for effective disinfection to take place during those periods. True Colour (Figure 18) values were usually below the guideline with only one value exceeding the guideline. There was no apparent correlation between colour and turbidity. Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 5

12 Escherichia Coli (Figure ) values often exceeded the B.C. guideline of 1 CFU/1 ml to protect water supplies with only disinfection. Fluoride (Figure 21) may be showing a slight trend to decreasing concentrations; however, the period of record (four years) is too short to confirm this. Iron (Figure 25) concentrations (total) occasionally exceeded the guidelines for the protection of aquatic life and aesthetics of source water supplies used for drinking. Total iron concentrations were correlated with turbidity meaning that the iron was likely in particulate form and not biologically available. All dissolved values were less than the guidelines. Selenium (Figure 43) values seemed to fluctuate with conductivity. The high selenium may be associated with runoff form the open pit mining operations. All dissolved and total selenium values exceeded the B.C. 3-day mean and the CCME maximum guideline values. There is no apparent trend of increasing concentrations through time although this may be related to the short period of record (four years). Sliver (Figure 44) values in 2 exceeded the guideline but this appears to be purely a function of the detection limit because when it was reduced in 3, all values met the guideline to protect aquatic life. Any total silver values that are above the detection limit since that time are correlated to higher turbidity values, meaning that the silver is in particulate form ad not likely biologically available. Temperature (Figure 48) values in water peaked above the guideline for the maximum incubation temperature in the spring or autumn; however, the high values were always recorded during the summer so there would be no concerns for temperature. Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 6

13 Turbidity (Figure 51) has occasionally been above the guideline for source waters used for drinking with no treatment. Therefore some treatment will be required for solids removal on occasion.. Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 7

14 REFERENCES Ministry of Environment. 6a. British Columbia Approved Water Quality Guidelines (Criteria). Ministry of Environment, Victoria, B.C. Ministry of Environment. 6b. A Compendium of Working Water Quality Guidelines for British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Victoria, B.C. Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 8

15 Figure 3 Aluminum Total and Dissolved (ug/l) CCME Al Aquatic Life Guideline Max-5 ug/l ph<6.5, Ca<4mg/L, DOC<2mg/L Aluminum Total Aluminum Dissolved CCME Al Aquatic Life/DW Guideline Max-1 ug/l ph>6.5, Ca>4mg/L, DOC>2mg/L Turbidity (background) Aluminium (ug/l) 15 1 Turbidity (NTU) 5 Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 9

16 Figure 4 Aluminum Dissolved (ug/l) 3-5 Aluminum Dissolved Turbidity (backgound) 5 CCME Al Aquatic Life Guideline Max-1 ug/l ph>6.5, Ca>4mg/L, DOC>2mg/L CCME Al Aquatic Life Guideline Max-5 ug/l ph<6.5, Ca<4mg/L, DOC<2mg/L Aluminium (ug/l) 3 Turbidity (NTU) 1 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 1

17 Figure 5 Antimony Total and Dissolved (ug/l) Antimony Total Antimony Dissolved Turbidity (background).6 Antimony (ug/l).4.2 Turbidity (NTU) Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 11

18 Figure 6 Arsenic Total and Dissolved (ug/l) Arsenic Total Arsenic Dissolved Turbidity (background) 1.5 CCME/B.C. Max DW guideline-25 ug/l CCME/B.C. Max Aquatic Life guideline-5 ug/l 1 Arsenic (ug/l) Turbidity (NTU).5 Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 12

19 Figure 7 Barium Total and Dissolved (ug/l) Barium Total Barium Dissolved Specific Conductivity (background) 1 Max B.C./CCME/B.C. 3 Day Guideline DW - 1 ug/l Mac B.C. Guideline Aquatic Life - 5 ug/l Barium (ug/l) Specific Conductivity (us/cm) Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 13

20 Figure 8 Beryllium Total and Dissolved (ug/l) B.C. Max Aquatic Life Guideline ug/l CCME DW Guideline - 4 ug/l Beryllium Total Beryllium Dissolved Turbidity (background).16 Beryllium (ug/l).12.8 Turbidity (NTU).4 Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 14

21 Figure 9 Beryllium Dissolved (ug/l) 3-6 B.C. Max Aquatic Life Guideline ug/l CCME DW Guideline - 4 ug/l Beryllium Dissolved Conductivity (background) Beryllium (ug/l) Specific Conductivity (us/cm).1 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 15

22 Figure 1 Bismuth Total and Dissolved (ug/l) Bismuth Total Bismuth Dissolved Turbidity (background).2.16 Bismuth (ug/l).12.8 Turbidity (NTU).4 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 16

23 Figure 11 Boron Total and Dissolved (ug/l) Boron Total Boron Dissolved Conductivity (background) 1 Max B.C./CCME/B.C. 3 Day Guideline DW - 1 ug/l Mac B.C. Guideline Aquatic Life - 5 ug/l 5 45 Boron (ug/l) Specific Conductivity (us/cm) 2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 17

24 .4 Figure 12 Cadmium Total and Dissolved ug/l) CCME/B.C. Max DW guideline - 5 ug/l Cadmium Total Cadmium Dissolved CCME Cd Guideline Range Turbidity (background).3 Cadmium (ug/l).2 Turbidity (NTU).1 Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 18

25 Figure 13 Calcium Dissolved (mg/l) Calcium Dissolved B.C. Min Ca Guideline for low sensitivity to acidic inputs Conductivity (background) 5 Calcium (mg/l) Specific Conductivity (us/cm) Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 19

26 Figure 14 Carbon Dissolved Organic (mg/l) Carbon Dissolved Organic B.C. Max DW Guideline Turbidity (background) 4 3 Carbon (mg/l) 2 Turbidity (NTU) 1 Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement

27 Figure 15 Chromium Total and Dissolved (ug/l) Chromium Total Chromium Dissolved B.C./CCME Max Cr6 Aquatic Life Guideline Turbidity (background) 8 B.C. Max Cr DW Guideline - 5 ug/l B.C. Max Cr3 Aquatic Life Guideline - 9 ug/l CCME Max Cr3 Aquatic Life Guideline ug/l 6 Chromium (ug/l) 4 Turbidity (NTU) 2 Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 21

28 Figure 16 Cobalt Total and Dissolved (ug/l) B.C. Max Co Aquatic Life Guideline - 11 ug/l B.C. 3 Day Co Aquatic Life Guideline - 4 ug/l Cobalt Total Cobalt Dissloved Turbidity (background) Cobalt (ug/l).8 Turbidity (NTU).4 Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 22

29 Figure 17 Fecal Coliforms (CFU/1mL) Fecal Coliforms B.C. DW Guideline - No Treatment - 1 CFU B.C. DW Guideline - Partial Treatment - 1 CFU Turbidity (background) 1 Fecal Coliforms (CFU/1mL) Turbidity (NTU) Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 23

30 Figure 18 Colour True (Colour Units) Colour True B.C. Max DW Guideline Turbidity (background) 3 Colour true Turbidity (NTU) 1 Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 24

31 Figure 19 Copper Total and Dissolved (ug/l) Copper Total Copper Dissolved Turbidity (background) 4 B.C. Max Cu DW Guideline - 5 ug/l B.C. Max Cu Aquatic Life Guideline Range ug/l 3-Day-B.C. Cu Aquatic Life Guideline Range ug/l CCME Max Cu Aquatic Life Guideline Range ug/l 3 Copper (ug/l) 2 Turbidity (NTU) 1 Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 25

32 5 Figure Escherichia Coli (CFU/1mL) Escherichia Coli B.C. Max E Coli DW Guideline E. Coli (CFU/1mL) 3 1 Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 26

33 Figure 21 Fluoride Total (mg/l) Fluoride Total Turbidity (background).28 B.C. 3 Day DW Guideline - 1 mg/l B.C./CCME DW Guideline mg/l B.C. Max Aquatic Life Guideline range -.3 mg/l.24 Fluoride (mg/l).2.16 Turbidity (NTU).12.8 Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 27

34 Figure 22 Gallium Total and Dissolved (ug/l) 3-6 Gallium Total Gallium Dissolved Turbidity (background).8.6 Gallium (ug/l).4 Turbidity (NTU).2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 28

35 Figure 23 Gallium Dissolved (ug/l) 3-6 Gallium Dissolved Conductivity (background).16 5 Gallium (ug/l) Specific Conductivity (us/cm) Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 29

36 Figure 24 Hardness Total Calcd (CaCO3) Hardness Total Calc. Conductivity (background) CCME Hardness DW Guideline Upper Limit CCME Hardness DW Guideline Lower Limit Hardness (CaCO3) Specific Conductivity (us/cm) Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 3

37 Figure 25 Iron Total and Dissolved (ug/l) 2-5 Iron Total Iron Dissolved B.C./CCME Max Aquatic Life/DW Guideline Turbidity (background) 3 Iron (ug/l) Turbidity (NTU) 1 Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 31

38 Figure 26 Iron Dissolved (ug/l) 3-5 Iron Dissolved Conductivity (background) B.C./CCME Max Fe Aquatic Life/DW Guideline - 3 ug/l 5 Iron (ug/l) Specific Conductivity (us/cm) Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 32

39 Figure 27 Lanthanum Total and Dissolved (ug/l) Lanthanum Total Lanthanum Dissolved Turbidity (background) Lanthanum (ug/l) Turbidity (NTU).4 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 33

40 Figure 28 Lanthanum Dissolved (ug/l) Lanthanum Dissolved Conductivity (background).6 5 Lanthanum ( ug/l) Specific Conductivity (us/cm) Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 34

41 Figure 29 Lead Total and Dissolved (ug/l) Lead Total Lead Dissolved Turbidity (background) 2.5 B.C. Max Pb DW Guideline - 5 ug/l B.C. Max Pb Aquatic Life Guideline Range ug/l 3-Day-B.C. Pb Aquatic Life Guideline Range ug/l CCME Max Pb Aquatic Life Guideline Range ug/l 2 Lead (ug/l) Turbidity (NTU).5 Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 35

42 .12 Figure 3 Lead Dissolved (ug/l) 3-5 B.C. Max Pb DW Guideline - 5 ug/l B.C. Max Pb Aquatic Life Guideline Range ug/l 3-Day-B.C. Pb Aquatic Life Guideline Range ug/l CCME Max Pb Aquatic Life Guideline Range ug/l Lead Dissolved Conductivity (conductivity) 5 45 Lead (ug/l) Specific Conductivity (us/cm) 25 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 36

43 Figure 31 Lithium Total and Dissolved (ug/l) Lithium Total Lithium Dissolved Conductivity (background) 1 B.C. Max Li Aquatic Life Guideline - 67 ug/l 5 45 Lithium (ug/l) Specific Conductivity (us/cm) 2 Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 37

44 Figure 32 Magnesium Dissolved (mg/l) Mg Dissolved Conductivity (background) 24 B.C. Max DW Guideline - 1 mg/l 5 45 Magnesium (mg/l) Specific Conductivity (us/cm) 8 Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 38

45 Figure 33 Manganese Total and Dissolved (ug/l) Manganese Total Manganese Dissolved Turbidity (background) 1 B.C. Max Mn Aquatic Life Guideline Range ug/l 3-Day-B.C. Mn Aquatic Life Guideline Range ug/l Manganese (ug/l) Turbidity (NTU) Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 39

46 Figure 34 Molybdenum Total and Dissolved (ug/l) 1.6 B.C.Max DW Guideline 25 ug/l B.C. Max Aquatic Life Guideline ug/l 3-Day-B.C. Aquatic Life Guideline 1 ug/l CCME Max Aquatic Life Guideline 73 ug/l Molybdenum Total Molybdenum Dissolved Conductivity (background) 5 45 Molybdenum (ug/l) Specific Conductivity (us/cm) Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement

47 Figure 35 Nickel Total and Dissolved (ug/l) B.C./CCME Ni Aquatic Life Guideline Range ug/l Nickel Total Nickel Dissolved Turbidity (background) 8 6 Nickel (ug/l) 4 Turbidity (NTU) 2 Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 41

48 Figure 36 Nitrogen Dissolved NO3 and NO2 Nitrogen Dissolved NO3 and NO2 CCME Max NO2 Aquatic Life Guideline Conductivity (background) 1.8 B.C. Max NO2 and NO3 DW Guideline 1 mg/l B.C. Max NO3 Aquatic Life Guideline mg/l B.C. Max NO 3 DW Guideline 1 mg/l 3-Day-B.C. NO3 Aquatic Life Guideline mg/l CCME Max NO3 DW Guideline 45 mg/l CCME Max NO3 Aquatic Life Guideline 13 mg/l 5 45 Nitrogen (mg/l) Specific Conductivity (us/cm) Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 42

49 Figure 37 Nitrogen Total Dissolved (mg/l) 2-6 Nitrogen Total Dissolved Conductivity (background) Nitrogen (mg/l) Specific Conductivity (us/cm).2 Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 43

50 Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan Figure 38 ph ph Conductivity (background) Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 44 ph (units) Specific Conductivity (us/cm)

51 Figure 39 Phosphorus Dissolved Ortho Phosphate Dissolved Ortho Conductivity (background) Phosphorus (mg/l) Specific Conductivity (us/cm) Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 45

52 Figure Phosphorus Total.3 B.C. Max P total DW Guideline - 1 ug/l Phosphorus Total Turbidity (background) Phosphorus (mg/l).2.1 Turbidity (NTU) - Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 46

53 Figure 41 Residue Non-Filterable (mg/l) Residue Fixed Non-Filterable Turbidity (background) 1 Residue (mg/l) 1 Turbidity (NTU) Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 47

54 6 Figure 42 Rubidium Total and Dissolved (ug/l) Rubidium Total Rubidium Dissolved Turbidity (background) 5 Rubidium (ug/l) Turbidity (NTU) 1 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 48

55 Figure 43 Selenium Total and Dissolved (ug/l) 8 B.C./CCME Max Se DW Guideline - 1ug/L Selenium Total Selenium Dissolved CCME Max Se Aquatic Life Guideline B.C. Max mean/3-day-b.c. SeAquatic Life Guideline Conductivity (background) Selenium (ug/l) Specific Conductivity (us/cm) 25 Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 49

56 .2 Figure 44 Silver Total and Dissolved (ug/l) B.C. Max Ag Aquatic Life Guideline - 3 ug/l 3-Day B.C. Ag Aquatic Life Guideline ug/l Silver Total Silver Dissolved Turbidity (background) CCME Max Ag Aquatic Life Guideline.16 Silver (ug/l).12.8 Turbidity (NTU).4 Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 5

57 Figure 45 Specific Conductivity (us/cm) Specific Conductivity 5 45 Specific Conductivity (us/cm) Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 51

58 Figure 46 Strontium Total and Dissolved (ug/l) Strontium Total Strontium Dissolved Conductivity (background) Strontium (ug/l) Specific Conductivity (us/cm) Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 52

59 Figure 47 Sulphate Dissolved (mg/l) Sulphate Dissolved Conductivity (background) 7 B.C. Max DW Sulphate Guideline - 5 mg/l B.C. Max Aquatic Life Sulphate Guideline - 1 mg/l 5 45 Sulphate (mg/l) Specific Conductivity (us/cm) 25 1 Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 53

60 Figure 48 Temperature Air and Water (deg C) Air Temperature Water Temperature B.C. Max Temp Water Aquatic Life Guideline Max weekly avg. for streams with unknown species dist. B.C. Max Temp Water Aquatic Life Guideline Max daily incubation temp for spring and fall B.C. Max Temp Water DW Guideline 3 Temperature (deg C) 1-1 Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 54

61 Figure 49 Thallium Total and Dissolved (ug/l) Thallium Total Thallium Dissolved Turbidity (background).1.8 Thallium (ug/l).6.4 Turbidity (NTU).2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 55

62 Figure 5 Tin Total (ug/l) Tin Total Turbidity (background).4.3 Tin (ug/l).2 Turbidity (NTU).1 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 56

63 Figure 51 Turbidity Turbidity CCME Max Turbidity DW Guideline Turbidity (NTU) Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 57

64 Figure 52 Uranium Total and Dissolved (ug/l) Uranium Total Uranium Dissolved Conductivity (background) Uranium (ug/l) Specific Conductivity (us/cm) Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 58

65 Figure 53 Vanadium Total Dissolved (ug/l) Vanadium Total Vanadium Dissolved Turbidity (background) 1 8 Vanadium (ug/l) 6 4 Turbidity (NTU) 2 Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 59

66 Figure 54 Vanadium Dissolved (ug/l) Vanadium Dissolved Conductivity (background) Vanadium (ug/l) Specific Conductivity (us/cm) 25.1 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement

67 Figure 55 Zinc Total and Dissolved (ug/l) Zinc Total Zinc Dissolved Turbidity (background) 3 B.C. Max DW Guideline 5 ug/l B.C. Max Aquatic Life Guideline range B.C. 3 Day Aquatic Life Guideline range Zinc (ug/l) Turbidity (NTU) 1 Jul-2 Oct-2 Jan-3 Apr-3 Jul-3 Oct-3 Jan-4 Apr-4 Jul-4 Oct-4 Jan-5 Apr-5 Jul-5 Oct-5 Jan-6 Canada British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 61