Proceedings - Teaching and Learning Centre - Simon Fraser ...

Fraser River Action Plan 3rd Research Workshop
6. refine CSO sampling procedures and protocols and provide recommendations for future CSO
characterization within the GVRD.
Some of the results were as follows:
1. The average concentration of general constituents, heavy metals and selected organic compounds
were either similar or less than the estimates developed as part of the GVRD Stage 1 Liquid Waste
Management Plan (LWMP) (Table 2);
2. Levels of cadmium, chromium, lead and nickel were well below the Stage 1 LWMP estimates.
With respect to lead, the lower levels detected were likely due to the banning of leaded gasoline
several years ago;
3. PCBs were not detected in any wastewater samples. The levels of dioxins and furans detected in the
wastewater sampled for events 1 and 2 (1994) were considered low and similar to those levels
detected during the Clark Drive and Westridge CSO studies;
4. Twenty-six organic compounds were detected in the 1994 CSO wastewater samples and four were
common to both sampling events. The compounds included: benzo(a)pyrene and pyrene (high
molecular weight PAHs), methylnaphthalenes and dioxins;
5. Twenty-six organic compounds were detected in the 1995 CSO wastewater samples and ten were
common to all sampling events. The compounds included:
a) benzo(b)fluroanthene
b) fluroanthene
c) methylnapthalenes
d) dimethylnapthalenes
e) trimethylnapthalenes
f) methylpheneanthrenes
g) dimethylpheneanthrenes
h) chloroform (halogenated VOC)
i) toluenes (meta and para)
j) xylenes (meta and para)
6. The CSOs exhibited concentrations of suspended solids, BOD and nutrients (ammonia and
phosphorus) four to fourteen times below typical GVRD domestic sewage levels indicating relative
rates of stormwater dilution.
7. Toxicity was evident for some samples for the Microtox and Ceriodaphnia tests. There were no
measured toxic effects for the rainbow trout bioassay and the algal growth inhibition tests.
Stormwater Discharge Inventory
This inventory attempted to locate all large stormwater discharges on the Fraser River from the mouth of the
Fraser River to Kanaka Creek including a photo record and visual observations of the surrounding area. A
total of 252 stormwater discharges were found at this time. In conjunction with the inventory, the consultant
was asked to expand an environmental sensitivity index developed by the Capital Regional District in
Victoria for its stormwater discharge inventory around the foreshore. A high index value would indicate an
environmental impact by the stormwater discharge on one of the following:
1. endangered or protected habitat such as a bird sanctuary;
2. spawning or rearing habitat of commercially or recreationally utilized fish species; and,
3. primary contact water activities such as swimming, windsurfing.
Page 97