The Point Source Pollution Management component is currently underway. Point source pollution refers to pollution that can be traced to a single identifiable source, such as a pipe, outfall, or smokestack.

Point sources of pollution have the potential to greatly impact water quality in our watersheds. Depending on where you are along the Battle River, point sources of pollution contribute between 20-70% of the total phosphorus load, between 50-70% of the total dissolved phosphorus load, and between 15-60% of the total nitrogen load (with non-point sources of pollution accounting for the remainder).

Wastewater treatment facilities are a key component of point source pollution, and therefore an important aspect of point source pollution management in the Battle River and Sounding Creek watersheds.

As we develop our background research report for this component, a few areas we will be looking into include:

  • Public and private wastewater treatment facilities (including a review of current regulations and guidance documents, and the determination of wastewater effluent limits)
  • Pollutants of concern (especially those of particular interest in wastewater treatment facilities, such as pharmaceutical products and microbeads/fibres)
  • Alternative wastewater uses (greywater reuse, industrial/commercial uses, etc.)
  • Potential point source of pollution from various land uses, including oil and gas development, mining, and agriculture

The next step will be to determine what beneficial practices, programs, and strategies can be put into action in our watershed to better manage point source pollution.

 

Resources

BRWA 10 Year Timeline, PDF

Source Water Protection Stewardship Resources