– SEDIMENT –
Sediment quality conditions at Macaulay Point and Clover Point are sufficient to warrant designation as contaminated sites, as defined by the Contaminated Sites Regulation. The area of contamination is both within the initial dilution zone (IDZ; which is the area within 100 m of the diffuser) and outside the IDZ at the Macaulay Outfall.[1]
Nineteen chemicals were found in the sediment located nearby the Clover Point and Macaulay Point outfalls at concentrations that exceeded the Contaminated Sites Regulation standards. These chemicals include metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).1
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Chemicals in the Sediment at Clover Point and Macaulay Point Exceeding Contaminated Site Regulations 1 |
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| 1. Cadmium | 8. Acenaphthylene | 15. Chrysene |
| 2. Copper | 9. Anthracene | 16. Dibenz(a,h)anthracene |
| 3. Lead | 10. Fluorene | 17. Fluoranthene |
| 4. Mercury | 11. Naphthalene | 18. Pyrene |
| 5. Zinc | 12. Phenanthrene | 19. Total PAHs |
| 6. 2-Methylnaphthalene | 13. Benz(a)anthracene | |
| 7. Acenaphthene | 14. Benzo(a)pyrene | |
PAH = polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
“Benthic community data for the immediate area of discharge at Macaulay Point has shown impact related to sewage discharge (CH2M Hill et al. 1991 and Ellis and Alvarez 1991)”[2]
“At Macaulay Point, community diversity is reduced and pollution-tolerant invertebrates dominate the sediment-dwelling organisms.”[3]
– MARINE WATER QUALITY –
Twenty-eight chemicals found in Victoria’s sewage have been measured at levels that exceed Canadian or provincial water quality guidelines (WQGs) for the protection of fish and aquatic life. As the concentrations of these chemicals exceeded the WQGs by up to factors of nearly 85, it is likely that aquatic organisms exposed to these effluents would be adversely affected.[4]
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Chemicals in Victoria’s Effluent that Exceed Water Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Fish and Aquatic Life 4 |
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| 1. Sulfide (total) | 11. Iron | 21. BEHP |
| 2. Sulfate | 12. Lead | 22. Anthracene |
| 3. Fluoride (dissolved) | 13. Mercury | 23. Benz(a)anthracene |
| 4. Nitrogen (ammonia) | 14. Silver | 24. Benzo(a)pyrene |
| 5. Cyanide (WAD) | 15. Thallium | 25. Fluoranthene |
| 6. Cyanide (total) | 16. Zinc | 26. Pyrene |
| 7. Barium | 17. Chloroform | 27. Lindane |
| 8. Cadmium | 18. 2,4-Dichlorophenol | 28. Endosulfan Sulphate |
| 9. Chromium VI | 19. Pentachlorophenol | |
| 10. Copper | 20. Phenol | |
WAD = weak acid dissociable; BEHP = bis-2-ethyhexyl phthalate.
[1]MacDonald DD, Smorong, DE. MacDonald Environmental Sciences Ltd. An Evaluation of Sediment Quality Conditions in the Vicinity of the Macaulay Point and Clover Point Outfalls, 2006. pg. 39 & tables 17-20
[2] Colidey A, Salmon R, Lim P. Environment Canada. Environmental monitoring near the Macaulay Point and Clover Point marine sewage outfalls at Victoria, British Columbia in 1989 and 1990, 1992 pg. 1&14
[3] Stubblefield, W.A., et al. 2006. SETAC. Scientific and Technical Review, Capital Regional District Core Area Liquid Waste Management Plan, pg.13
[4] Golder. Potential environmental effects of the Macaulay and Clover Point outfalls and review of the wastewater and marine environmental program, 2005