A number of watershed groups have spoken up about the government's inaction on the problem of nitrates in Island waterways. Over 15 watersheds are currently experiencing anoxic conditions this summer. This is areas devoid of oxygen, obviously not good...

Some watershed groups on P.E.I. say the Ghiz government has failed to tackle a nitrate problem that is clogging waterways with vegetation and choking out other life.

Two years ago, a commission looking into the issue made 32 sweeping recommendations. It called six of them absolutely essential. Two of those involved the agriculture community: a mandatory three-year crop rotation and matching nutrients more carefully with crop needs.

Pace on P.E.I. nitrate pollution 'glacial'
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/prince-edward-island/story/2010/08/16/pei-nitra...

This problem hasn't started over-night, but it is time to get serious and make the tough choices.

Opposition MLA Mike Currie piled on the next day, accusing the government of not using the environmental fund from can recylcing on watershed groups as promised.

Opposition environment critic Mike Currie says the Ghiz administration has broken its promise and is cheating Island watershed groups out of the $1.8 million that was promised to support their environmental projects.

It was quite discouraging and disappointing to hear PEI Environment Minister Brown suggest that more study is required for the problem of anoxia in PEI rivers. There has been a number of studies already. The problem is excessive nutrients, expicially nitrates, entering our waterways. The time for study is over, the time for action is now !

From Guardian:

Environment, Energy and Forestry Minister Richard Brown has written to federal Fisheries and Oceans Minister Gail Shea proposing that the two departments partner, along with the University of Prince Edward Island, on a detailed analysis of the problem of anoxia and recommendations to prevent it.

"Anoxia indicates how human activity is harming the health of our rivers and bays,” said the minister. “It is a sign that we have upset the balance of nature in our waterways.”

Anoxia is the absence of oxygen in water caused by a build up of nutrients which causes plants to grow. When the plants die and decay, oxygen is stripped from the water. The water turns milky white or cloudy green and gives off a strong rotten egg odour. The lack of oxygen is often deadly for fish and shellfish.

Brown proposes province, feds, UPEI team up to analyze anoxia
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/News/Local/2010-07-24/article-1603455/Brown...

The issue of anoxia in PEI rivers and estuaries is getting worse with 15 waterways on PEI experiences areas of anoxia this year.

From CBC:

A lack of oxygen in Prince Edward Island waterways, a problem that kills sections of rivers, is the focus for a team of researchers this summer and fall.

Excessive nutrients in rivers start a chain reaction. Algae grow in huge masses, then die. As algae rot, oxygen is consumed in the water, a condition known as anoxia. The river turns green and stinks.

"When oxygen levels drop too low it makes it hard for things to survive, especially anoxic events, when the oxygen levels drop so much, that things can't survive," provincial Environment Department researcher Shawn Schofield told CBC News Tuesday.

...

Anoxic rivers a growing problem for P.E.I.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/prince-edward-island/story/2010/07/21/pei-anoxi...

The PEI Government issued a news release on the anoxic state of Island estuaries.

ANOXIC CONDITIONS EVIDENT IN ISLAND ESTUARIES

CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI -- The provincial government is taking steps to address the growing number of anoxic events occurring in Prince Edward Island’s estuaries, says Environment, Energy and Forestry Minister Richard Brown.

“Anoxia indicates how human activity is harming the health of our rivers and bays,” said the minister. “It is a sign that we have upset the balance of nature in our waterways.”
Anoxia is the absence of oxygen in water caused by a build up of nutrients which causes plants to grow. When the plants die and decay, oxygen is stripped from the water. The water turns milky white or cloudy green and gives off a strong rotten egg odour. The lack of oxygen is often deadly for fish and shellfish.
Because nutrients enter estuaries from a number of sources including agricultural activity, wastewater management, clear cutting forests and runoff, there are no quick, easy solutions to the problem, said Mr. Brown.
“Reducing the amount of nutrients entering our rivers and bays is the most effective way to address to this growing problem,” he said. “It requires long-term solutions and the support of many stakeholders.”
The Government of Prince Edward Island is taking significant steps to protect and enhance the quality of water on Prince Edward Island.

January 30, 2008
Journal Pioneer

Bedeque-area residents resting easier on nitrate levels as samples come in below threshold print this article

Residents of Central Bedeque have received some good news.

Tests of water taken from 55 homes were within the acceptable Canadian drinking water guidelines of 10 milligrams per litre (mg/l).

That's the word from Earl Smith, a councillor on Central Bedeque Community Council and one of three people collecting samples from homes and gathering information on questionnaires.

There are approximately 175 people living in the small community.

January 14, 2008

KINKORA — People landed at the Kanata Club with their own beverages on the weekend.
They hoped to drink without fear.

The Province and Bedeque Bay Environmental Management Association (BBEMA) processed over 400 drinking water samples at a nitrate-testing clinic in Kinkora. It's part of a series across P.E.I.

Canadian drinking water guidelines set the maximum acceptable nitrate level at 10 milligrams/litre.

January 9, 2008

CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI -- After a strong show of interest from Islanders attending drinking water testing clinics, the Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry is adding a second round of seven clinics offering free tests for water nitrate content.

The clinics bring the analytical capacity of the department’s water-testing specialists to communities around the province, making testing simple and convenient. People curious about the nitrate content of their water can simply bring a one-cup sample to their nearest clinic.

Free water testing clinics set up in P.E.I. are showing much lower levels of nitrates in drinking water than suggested by a study released in the spring.

The joint federal-provincial study suggested as many as one in five wells in some parts of P.E.I. could have levels of nitrates above Health Canada guidelines, and said the nitrates were coming from fertilizers spread on farm fields. The study prompted the appointment of a nitrates commission to look into the problem, and the government set up free clinics to test drinking water for nitrates.

Prince Edward Islanders are being asked to share their ideas for solutions to reduce nitrate levels in groundwater and surface water.
The Commission on Nitrates in Groundwater is developing a strategy to address the issue of nitrate concentrations in water.
Commission chair Armand DesRoches says they want to hear from Islanders.
“This is an issue that affects all Islanders so the commission believes it is important to invite Islanders to help us find solutions,” said DesRoches.

P.E.I. has announced the members of the commission on nitrates in groundwater.

Chair Armand Desroches will be joined by four other cabinet-appointed members: Chief Darlene Bernard of the Lennox Island First Nation, retired research scientist John MacLeod, chief health officer Dr. Heather Morrison, and Stewart Affleck, a retired potato producer from Bedeque.

The commission will look at the reasons surrounding the province's high nitrate levels and come up with a strategy to deal with the problem. Islanders will be asked to make written submissions and presentations to the commission.