Nitrates Testing Clinic

Activities

Nitrates Testing Clinic

On November 17, 2007, residents of Islanders from West Royalty to East Point traveled to the Ski Lodge situated at Souris Line Road to have their drinking water tested for nitrates. This was the first of a series of free clinics taking place across the Island.
The Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry brought its analytical capabilities. This made it simple and convenient for people to get their drinking water tested. Interested citizens brought a one cup sample of water, in all manner of containers from their private well to the clinics.
The clinic has been deemed a great success. A total of 210 water samples were analyzed. Of these 210 samples, 21 required a follow-up confirmation sample.
The exact breakdown was:
210 Samples tested
21 Samples for re-test (15 samples were between 8.0 - 10.0 Mg/L N03-N)
(6 samples were above 10.0 Mg/L N03-N)
The data will be entered (initially grouped according to community) into a statistical database for future analysis.
www.flickr.com
Souris & Area Branch PEI Wildlife Federation's Nitrates Testing Clinic - 2007photoset

The general public were provided ample opportunity to discuss questions concerning water quality/nitrates/etc, and also observed the 2007 activities of the local watershed group of Souris & Area Wildlife Branch on a projected slide show.
These community-based "nitrate clinics" are the result of an early recommendation of the Commission on Nitrates in Groundwater, which is developing a strategy to address the issue of nitrate concentrations in water.
The province acted quickly to establish the clinics because Islanders are concerned about the quality of their drinking water. The Honourable George Webster, Minister of Environment, Energy and Forestry threw his and department's full support behind this endeavour.
All are eagerly awaiting the Commission's final report so plans may be developed to further address this important issue.
The Department of Environment, Energy & Forestry invested $35,000 toward this project.
The service provided an instant report on the levels of nitrates in the samples provided. If the screening test showed high concentrations of nitrate, there will be follow-up testing at no charge. A video of the testing may be viewed HERE.
The Honourable Armand DesRoches, Chair of the Commission on Nitrates in Groundwater stated "It is important to raise awareness about this issue and to give people accurate information about the water in their well. We are pleased to see the provincial government adopt this early recommendation of the Commission."
The Commission on Nitrates in Groundwater will report to the Premier by June 2008. The Premier has made the commitment to table the report in the Legislature.
Additional clinics will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the following locations:
November 24 - Southeast Environment Association, Kaylee Hall, Pooles Corner.
December 1 - Bedeque Bay Environmental Management Association, Kanata Club, Kinkora.
December 8 - Trout River Environmental Committee, New London Community Centre.
December 15 - Trout Unlimited, Prince County, Westisle School.
For information on nitrates and the work of the Commission on Nitrates in Groundwater, visit the website at www.gov.pe.ca/CommissiononNitrates or call 1-866-368-5044.
For more information, contact by email Island Information Service by email or phone (902) 368-4000.
Copyright
Souris Branch of the P.E.I. Wildlife Federation
All pictures appearing on this site or its associated flickr account are the property of the photographers and the Souris & Area Branch of the P.E.I. Wildlife Federation.
They may not be copied without permission of the photographer and the Souris & Area Branch of the P.E.I. Wildlife Federation.