By the Eco Conscience
Association, UNBC

Prince George boasts of
having some of the cleanest
water supplies in British
Columbia. Most of our water
is drawn from an aquifer that
lies beneath the Nechako
and Fraser rivers. filtration of
the water is entirely natural,
using the native conditions of
gravel and sand (microbio-
logical and chemical filters)
as a purifier. Chlorine and flu-
oride additives, which are
required by the BC Ministry of
Health, are added at a rate of
0.1 to 0.4 ppm and 0.6 to 0.8
ppm respectively. Micro-bio-
logical analysis is done 90
times per month and tested
bi-annually for comprehen-
sive chemical analysis. All
drinking water samples are
then sent to the Regional
Health Unit, which are in turn

sent to the Centre for
Disease Control in
Vancouver. Despite the

aquifer’s reputation, there
exists a plurality of potential

NUGSS

January 28, 2002

Attention Students!

NUGSS is having their AGM on
Wednesday January 30th!

If quorum is not met there will be an

EGM on February 6th instead!
An EGM does not require quorum!

The amendments to be voted on are In
display in the NUGSS office.

show your student pride and get out
and vote!

threats of contamination that
could seriously compromise
the health of those that
depend on it as a source of
drinking water. Pulp and
paper mills, landfills, sewage
treatment facilities and septic
tanks, leaky oil tanks and
rail/highway routes are all
considered to be potential
threats to the aquifer.

In order to mitigate poten-
tial contamination, the
Northwood Pulp and Paper
Mill has installed water col-
lection networks to catch the
run-off, spills and effluent. As
a result, the percolated water
reaching the aquifer is con-
sidered clean. Additionally,
four of the local pulp and
paper mills have jointly
installed monitoring stations
along the Nechako and
Fraser rivers.

In order to reduce the pos-
sibility of contaminants seep-
ing into the water system, the
City of PG has begun
installing an impervious
cap/cover on an 18-hector

section of the landfill site. The
long-term effectiveness of the
cap, however, has yet to be
revealed. One must wonder
whether redirecting rainwater
is indeed preventing contami-
nants from entering the water
systems located below the
landfill site. Without ~ an
effective liner, leachate will
infiltrate regardless of an
impervious cap.

Of further concern, non-
sewered housing complex-
es situated up-slope of the
aquifer, and subsequent
wells, are a possible threat
for fecal contamination as a
result of leaching and infil-
tration.

The potential threat of
contamination to Prince
George’s water supply
remains just that: a potential
threat. There is no reason to
fear that contaminated
water will reach your taps,
but one must remain weary!
It is our responsibility as cit-
izens to be aware of the

‘PG Drinking Water: Should You Be Concerned?

to not take for granted the
cleanliness of our drinking
water. Through PG’s drinking
water is of acclaimed quality,
is it sustainable in light of the
plurality of potential threats?
What does the future hold for

the quality of Prince George’s
drinking water...?

For information, contact:
Ecoconscienceassociation @
hotmail.com

t ISLAND

Special Winter Deals!

aceon Mr BN ML SEyMOWR S29 2%

VANCOUVER - Gastown
Free muffin with coffee or tea daily
Best grill / pub / bakery in the city

in the heart of the funky part of town
300 CAMBIE ST. (604)684-6466
TOLL FREE 1-877-395-5335

UW Ge | OND!
if fa +A PRKI RATES

* faut 24-1 4088
~ SEYMOUR + INTERNET ARSS

Quiet Jocation near business distriet, Kitchens.
Dbl. Rooms. Free muffin with coffee or tea daily * COMMON ROOM
$15 SEYMOUR ST. (604)684-7757°

NANAIMO - vancouver sano |p) A

Free hot breakfast with check-in. Private bathrooms.
Kitchens. Funky grill / pub / bakery on-site.

CJ 63 VICTORIA CRESCENT 1-877-754-5323

Veto momelimewmacuce VISIT US ON THE WEB AT www.cambiehostels.com