WATER MONITORING IN THE OSOYOOS AREA
The OLWQS Pontoon boat used for weekly monitoring of Osoyoos Lake
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Lake water testing
Records of lake conditions have been collected by the Ministry of Environment since 1972, and the Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society took over the task in 1994 when government funding ran out. The result is a detailed analysis of water conditions in Osoyoos Lake over the last 30 years which is proving crucial to its future use.
From mid-April to mid-October we go out in our own OLWQS pontoon boat (purchased through public donations and grants) and collect weekly information on water clarity, oxygen content, temperature, pH, and the conductivity of water (‘specific conductance’). We work closely with the Ministry of Environment, monitoring jointly wherever possible and freely exchanging information and ideas. All the results of our monitoring are available to the public.
Most of the instrum
ents we use are of the high-tech digital kind, with one notable exception: the Secchi disk which is used to test the clarity of the water. Pronounced ‘sekky’ and named after its Italian inventor, Fr. Pietro Secchi who was scientific advisor to the Pope in 1865, it is a remarkably simple 8-inch disk painted in black and white and lowered into the water on the end of a rope. When the black and white pattern is no longer visible to the naked eye, the depth of the rope is recorded as the Secchi reading. Our average readings are between 3 to 4 metres.
While in the boat we also watch for any changes in the water such as excessive milfoil, algae blooms, and dead fish. We check the condition of the ten stormwater outflow pipes that enter into the lake since most water pollution comes via storm drains, and we are working with the town of Osoyoos towards eliminating some of these outflow pipes. We also monitor and report changes to the lakeshore such as the removal of riparian trees, shrubs etc and construction of walls and buildings within the high water mark (both are illegal without special permits from the Ministry).
Twice a year the Ministry of Environment joins up with us to do more extensive testing of the water, including the all-important nitrate and phosphate data. Nitrates are a chemical found in fertilizers and human and animal waste and are of great concern within the area’s groundwater: phosphates come from organic waste plus household and industrial detergents and soaps. The phosphate/nitrate situation has much improved in Osoyoos Lake, thanks partly to the upgrading of sewers and sewage treatment plants throughout the valley and partly to public education and awareness.
Well testing
It’s equally important to find out what’s going on in the groundwater (water stored naturally below the earth’s surface). Whenever it rains or snows, moisture percolates downwards and is caught and stored, sometimes for many centuries,
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Using a tape measure to check the levels of water in observation wells in Osoyoos
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between sand and soil particles rather like a giant sponge. Groundwater is usually better quality than lake or river water since the soil acts as a natural filter for pollutants. The wells that reach down into this underground source are a highly useful tool – indeed, our only tool - for measuring supply and quality of the water in our area.
Domestic (residential) wells are found mainly in rural areas of Osoyoos, since most of the community is now on Town water. A selected number are tested for a variety of chemicals each year by ourselves and the Ministry of Environment, and the results are sent to the homeowner in addition to being used by the Ministry for their ongoing records.
Another kind of well, called a piezometer, is used to measure water quality information plus groundwater levels. Installed by the Province many decades ago and not truly a well at all but a narrow tube sunk into the ground, there are nine of these strategically placed around town at varying depths. They are tested in September every year by ourselves jointly with the Ministry of Environment.
Observation wells are used for testing of water levels. These 3” diameter tubes vary in depth to 14 metres and have been monitored for water levels every month since they were first installed by the Province in 1969. We have had a contract with the Ministry since 2003 to continue carrying out this research on the seven wells in the Osoyoos area (there is a total of 163 wells throughout BC).
Beaches
The Health Department from Penticton over the years has been analysing water samples at our major beach areas, but ceased in spring 2001 due to lack of funds. Interior Health started the program up again in summer of 2006. They test for bacteria such as e-coli, and advisory signs are posted if levels exceed government standards. Beach water quality is typically poorer in summer when the warmer water escalates bacterial growth and swimmers and boat traffic stir up bacteria-containing sediments. Contamination is also more likely to increase during and after rainstorms.
More on Interior Health's beach water quality program
Water supply
Due to the increase in population, there has been much public concern about the quantity of water available in the Okanagan valley for future use. In response to this, a major study is being carried out by federal, provincial, municipal and volunteer experts working together to collect information on the entire watershed. Begun in 2003, the ‘Groundwater Assessment in the Okanagan Basin’ project is so large it has been divided into many sub-projects and will continue for some years. Groups involved include:
- Geological Survey of Canada
- Okanagan Basin Water Board
- Agri-Food Canada
- Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC
- Golders Associates – an environmental engineering company
- Ministry of Environment.
- Interior Health Authority
- Canada Centre for Water Excellence (Jim Hendry)
- Simon Fraser University, Department of Earth Sciences
More Info:
Groundwater Asessment Study
Report on water supply in the Okanagan by 'The Tyee' online newspaper, August 2006
Okanagan Water Supply & Demand Project
