Archived
Description
The effluent of the Cold Lake/Grand Centre regional sewage lagoon appears to have a minor impact on the quality of the Beaver River. The concentrations of nutrient parameters increased slightly in the river downstream of the effluent discharge. Total phosphorus increased from 0.080 mg/L at Beaver crossing to 0.090 mg/L at the border and then steadily declined to 0.040 mg/L at Highway 26 in Saskatchewan. Dissolved phosphorus increased from 0.032 mg/L at Beaver Crossing to 0.051 mg/L at the border and then declined to 0.008 mg/L at Highway 26. Conductivity also increased downstream of the discharge, however, the low conductivity of the effluent itself did not suggest a cause and effect relationship. The numbers of total and fecal coliforms did not increase downstream of the effluent and did not appear to be influenced by the lagoon discharge. These small changes occurred under extremely low flow conditions in the Beaver River. During flows more typical of November, the available dilution would increase several fold and subsequently minimize the impact of the loading further. The quality of the Cold Lake/Grand Centre sewage lagoon effluent is very good compared to other lagoon systems int he province. Although the effluent did increase nutrient levels in the Beaver River, concentrations of all nutrients remained below proposed PPWB indicators at the border site. Based on 1987 conditions, it would appear unnecessary to move the PPWB monitoring site from Beaver Crossing. However, some contingency plan should be developed to account for future effluent load increases associated with regional growth in these communities.
Updated
February 1, 1988
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Resources
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Preliminary Assessment
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Title and publication information
Type
Extent
32 pages
Frequency
Once
Publisher / Creator Information
Creator
Publisher
Environment (1971-1992, 1999-2011)
Contributor
Place of Publication
Subject Information
Topic
Subject (LCSH)
Subject (LCSH)
Subject (LCSH)
Subject (LCSH)
Resource Dates
Date Created
1988-02-01
Date Added
2015-08-10T15:39:56.538502
Date Modified
1988-02-01
Date Issued
1988-02-01
Date Archived
2015-06-01
Audience information
Language
Identifiers
NEOS catalogue key
3066128
Usage / Licence
Contact
Contact Name
Environment and Parks