Author Description

This publication presents water quality data gathered by the British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands & Parks into a status report format for the province's water bodies. The information is ranked according to a system called a water quality index, based on the attainment of water quality objectives. The index ranks water quality relative to its natural state into the following five categories: excellent, good, fair, borderline, and poor. The publication contains data from 124 bodies of water, including five groundwater aquifers, where water quality objectives have been set and checked. It is organised according to region and includes a waterbody name index. Information included for each water body includes the water quality index for such uses as drinking, recreation, irrigation, aquatic life, and wildlife; the main attributes and uses of the water body; potential sources of contamination; which water quality objectives have been set and which have not been met; the consequences of not meeting any objectives; and what will be done to improve matters. The publication also includes provincial and regional water quality summaries.