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Environment Canada finds human feces mostly to blame for high bacteria levels at Petrie Island
An Environment Canada study has concluded water quality at Petrie Island Beach is being dragged down by the presence of human feces.
The study analysed water samples collected on a weekly basis from May 7 to Oct. 15, 2007 at sites on and upstream from the east-end beach.
Researchers found the beach was most significantly affected by “fecal contamination sources on the Ontario side of the Ottawa River in 2007.”
While the study identified several fecal contamination sources affecting Petrie Island—including untreated municipal wastewater from the city finding its way into the river—it was not clear which was the most significant.
The study called the impact of fecal pollution at the beach “sporadic” in 2007 and said it was of most concern following heavy rainfall. It found that the water quality was “generally good” for much of last year, but noted it was a drier swimming season than average.
The study also investigated the effects of bird droppings on water quality at the beach, but concluded “human health risks from these droppings remain uncertain.”
According to the data collected during the study, levels of E. coli were considerably higher in the sand at Petrie Island Beach than in the water, which researchers said was consistent with the results of studies by other researchers.
The study’s authors recommended that the city do more research about the sources of the human fecal pollution, and that there be more communication between the people responsible for the city’s wastewater treatment facilities and Petrie Island Beach.
Orléans Councillor Bob Monette said people shouldn’t “overreact” to the conclusions of the report.
“Basically, last year, the beach was closed only for six days,” he said. “The water quality is fine unless you get a major rainfall.”
Going forward, he expects the city will put a ban on swimming at Petrie Island immediately after a major rainfall.
The results of the study come nearly a year after the city pledged to determine the source of feces that were causing high E. coli counts in the water at the beach. In 2006, the beach was closed to swimmers for 45 days because of E. coli in the water and was open 26 days; in 2005, it was closed for 15 days.
© The Ottawa Citizen 2008