Lesser Slave Lake given clean bill of health

Theo Charette, president of Tailwind Environmental Solutions of Edmonton, presented his Lesser Slave Lake water test findings at a public meeting in High Prairie March 14.

Chris Clegg
South Peace News

Independent tests conducted by the Regional Environmental Action Committee show water quality in Lesser Slave Lake to be safe.

Theo Charette, president of Tailwind Environmental Solutions of Edmonton, presented the findings at public meetings in High Prairie March 13 and Slave Lake March 14.

“The real success story is there is not water-related releases from Swan Hills,” says REAC president Jule Asterisk.

In his presentation, Charette first says water samples taken at various locations around the lake tested for dioxins and furans showed safe concentrations.

“There was a safe but elevated dioxin concentration from the Swan River in 2007 but (reversed) in 2008,” says Charette. “The source was unknown.”

Water was also tested for PCBs.

“REAC samples show no detection of PCBs in water,” says Charette. “It’s not surprising, it’s a good thing.”

Tests for PAHs were almost entirely clean.

“No detectable concentrations in REAC samples,” says Charette, except for one sample in Sawridge Creek where there was pyrene.

PAHs, or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, can cause serious health issues including cancer.

Tests for arsenic were also completed, with the greatest fear being at the old Osmose plant at Faust.

“There is no evidence from Oldman Creek or anywhere in Faust,” says Charette. “Tests were consistent or lower than other tributaries historical sampling.”

In fact, the location near the Osmose site was the second lowest of 17 sampling locations.

“Really good news,” says Charette, adding it indicated no surface contamination was occurring.

“At the time sampled, there did not appear to be any movement (of arsenic) to the surface. That’s really good news.”

Fears too much herbicide was entering the lake were also put to rest.

“Well below guidelines,” says Charette. “There doesn’t seem to be any moving (of pollutants) off site. There is no evidence (anything) is moving into streams.”

Charette made some recommendations in his report. The first was to continue to try to limit nutrient and pesticide emission into the lake to maintain its healthy state. The second was to develop a nutrient management plan to keep already substantial algae blooms to a minimum.

Test locations included the Osmose site and Oldman Creek in Faust, East Prairie River, Swan River, West Prairie River, Driftpile River, Sawridge Creek and Mooney Creek to name a few.

Water sampling occurred over a two-year period.

Asterisk says it does put REAC’s minds at ease regarding several issues but adds work still needs to be done. Pesticide use by agriculture and forestry still needs to be monitored, she says, as well as ensuring current environmental standards continue to be met or exceeded.

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