Contaminants such as metals (e.g., mercury), pesticides (e.g., DDT), and industrial chemicals (e.g., PCBs) are found in small—and sometimes large—amounts throughout the environment. When these contaminants enter aquatic ecosystems, many of them can accumulate to high concentrations in the tissues of fish at the top of the food chain. Okanagan Nation people have been catching and consuming resident fish in the Okanagan Valley lakes and rivers for millennia, and some continue to do so. Other people are concerned about the quality of fish, including contaminant levels. Fish are an excellent source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, and people should be encouraged to eat them. However, concrete information needs to be provided about how much fish of which species people can safely eat so that they can benefit from including resident fish in their diet. Read More
Despite the vast abundance of freshwater available in Canada, human induced impacts and stresses combined with agricultural pressures and the effects of global climate changes have caused significant freshwater problems across the country. The objective of this study was to gain a watershed perspective on water vulnerability across the Canadian Prairie provinces, with a focus on water quality, water use, and water availability stresses and their compounding effects across the prairie agro-region. Water related stresses and issues combine to produce “hotspots” or areas of concern that are more prone to the combined effects of water related stress, and therefore have Read More
New research in ES&T shows that a pesticide widely used in Germany degrades into a precursor of a carcinogenic nitrosamine. Several years of careful detective work led to the discovery that a breakdown product known as N,N-dimethylsulfamide (DMS) becomes N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) during ozonation in water-treatment processes. The finding underscores a recurring problem in drinking-water treatment: unexpected precursors from seemingly innocuous parent compounds may give rise to other chemicals of concern in the environment. Read More
A true showing of community spirit was put on display last weekend when volunteers from local community clubs, businesses, the Okanagan Indian Band, the District of Lake Country, and area residents joined forces to take part in the second annual Middle Vernon Creek Clean-Up event. Read More
Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis, commonly referred to as Bti, is a bacterium found naturally in soils. Since 1982, it has been used successfully worldwide as a biological pest control agent to combat mosquitoes and blackflies. Read More
The Okanagan’s ecosystems are coming under increasing pressure with the population growth and associated development currently experienced in the region. We sought a method of assessing the health of the Okanagan’s lowland streams, many of which are in or near urban areas. We chose to use benthic invertebrates as indicators of stream health. Read More
CAIRO — Global food shortages have placed the Middle East and North Africa in a quandary, as they are forced to choose between growing more crops to feed an expanding population or preserving their already scant supply of water. Read More
Living Water Smart (“LWS”) – BC's Water Plan was released on June 3, 2008 by Environment Minister Barry Penner. This long awaited Plan is the latest stage in a history of efforts to reform BC's water laws over the past 15 years. This comment from the UBC Program on Water Governance is an initial reaction to the Plan, and points out crucial issues that deserve more in-depth exploration through a thorough public consultation. Read More
The Living by Water Project was initiated in 1997 by two shoreline residents from British Columbia. The mission of the Project is “working towards healthier human and wildlife habitat along the shorelines of Canada”. If you’re a shoreline resident, we are committed to helping you obtain information to protect your property, prevent problems like erosion, and protect water quality, fish and wildlife habitat. We do this by working with, and providing support services to, groups that help shoreline residents like you. Read More
Trace concentrations of endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), household chemicals, and pharmaceuticals and personal-care products (PPCPs) are showing up in streams and other water sources all over the world. So the potential for these contaminants to reach drinking-water taps is high, especially because treatment plants weren't designed to remove them. Read More
