Dr. Peter Wallis discusses testing of a low cost method to identify trace organics in river and treated wastewater. The motivation for SEAWA's work comes from being the people at the downstream end of a watershed, in this case, at the downstream end of the South Saskatchewan River Basin in Alberta. SEAWA decided to test a low-cost USDA method for detecting trace organic compounds (see www.abraxiskits.com).
The water quality of the S. Sask. River at Medicine Hat is actually quite good based on limited current data. He reviews the existing data sources on endocrine disruptor compounds (estrogen and estrogen like compounds) found in Alberta waters. He reports on limited testing of samples that compared the USDA ELISA methodology with conventional testing techniques. They found reasonable agreement between the two methods. Trace detections and below detection limits were typical findings.
Peter Wallis is Dean of Science, Medicine Hat College, Medicine Hat, Alberta and a board member of the SE Alberta Watershed Alliance (SEAWA).
From March 12-14th, 2013, people involved in water issues in Alberta met in Red Deer to discuss ideas and plans for managing water resources. The conference, jointly hosted by the Canadian Water Resources Association (CWRA) Alberta Chapter and Alberta Watershed Planning & Advisory Councils (WPACs), emphasized the integrated planning that is necessary for water management in the future.
The Alberta Land-use Knowledge Network was able to record many of the keynote speakers and conference presentations