Hullcar Aquifer Information

Interior Health Authority - Private Well Testing in Hullcar

• Private Well Sampling Opportunity (PDF) - August 03, 2017

Summary

The water quality within the Hullcar aquifer 103 is an emerging environmental issue that the Ministry of Environment is working collaboratively with the Interior Health Authority, Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Forest, Lands and Natural Resources. This cross government team is focused on identifying significant sources of pollutants, assessing a variety of approaches to resolve the water quality issue, as well as conduct monitoring of the activities above the aquifer. The aquifer is a source of drinking water for the Steele Springs Waterworks District (SSWD), a small water system located within the Township of Spallumcheen which serves approximately 150 residents, through 57 connections. Interior Health is also aware of an additional 22 private water wells, which draw water from the Hullcar aquifer and are not connected to the Steele Springs Waterworks system.

• Inter-Ministry Hullcar Aquifer Working Group Action Plan (PDF) - March 11, 2016
• Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) - June 6, 2016

Invitation to Comment - Review of the Hullcar Aquifer Situation

On August 2, 2017, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy George Heyman announced a new review of the Hullcar Aquifer, with the end goal of ensuring agricultural practices are consistent with the provision and protection of clean, safe drinking water. 

The review of the Hullcar Aquifer situation will help inform the development of new approaches and inform future decisions around agricultural waste management specifically in the Hullcar Valley as well as have benefits to other areas of British Columbia where there are threats to drinking water from neighbouring agricultural waste management activities.

The Ministry is seeking input from the public and will accept submissions until August 31, 2017.  The Ministry will not be responding directly to each submission, and provide our thanks in advance for helping to inform this review.

• Access form to provide comments for the Hullcar Aquifer Review - August 16, 2017

About Aquifers

There are two main types of aquifers in B.C.: confined and unconfined. A confined aquifer is one that is overlain by a confining layer. The confining layer, which offers a protective “shield” from contamination from the land surface, is typically composed of clay, silt and/or till. As a result, confined aquifers tend to be less vulnerable to contamination than unconfined aquifers. An unconfined or water table aquifer is one where there is with no overlying confining layer. In general, unconfined aquifers are more vulnerable to impacts from human activities than confined or partially confined aquifers. For more information, see Guide to Using the B.C. Aquifer Classification Maps for the Protection and Management of Ground Water (PDF).

Background

Hullcar aquifer 103 is unconfined and approximately 14 km2 in size (defined by area of groundwater development). Water levels vary from 1.5 to 14 metres below the surface; this depth information is based on data within the BC WELLS Database. The thickness of aquifer 103 varies from three to 45 meters. The aquifer has been classified by the Ministry of Environment as IIA (moderately developed, high vulnerability), due to the moderate level of groundwater development and the high vulnerability to contamination.

Drinking Water Advisory

Drinking water standards are set by the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Drinking Water and published by Health Canada. These standards come in the form of drinking water guidelines that identify levels of parameters to ensure the water is safe to drink. These guidelines are used by every jurisdiction in Canada and are the basis for establishing drinking water quality requirements for all Canadians. More information can be found on the Health Canada website.

Sampling of the Steele Springs drinking water source has shown increasing nitrate levels from 8.8 mg/L in January 2014 to 13.3 mg/L in February 2016. The Canadian Drinking Water standard for nitrates is 10 mg/L. On July 14, 2014, the Interior Health Authority issued a Water Quality Advisory to all residents of the Township of Spallumcheen that reside within the designated area of the Hullcar Aquifers (102 and 103). The advisory stated:

• pregnant women, babies under 6 months of age, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems, or chronic heart, lung and blood conditions should take precautions and use an alternative source of water (ex. bottled water) at this time. For bottle fed infants, use an alternate source of water to mix infant formula for infants less than 6 months of age.

The drinking water advisory was issued due to the level of Nitrates. Nitrate are widespread in the environment. They are naturally produced by the oxidation of nitrogen by microorganisms in plants, soil and water. However, the most common sources of nitrate substances are human activities, including agricultural activities, wastewater treatment, and discharges from industrial processes and motor vehicles. Most nitrate reduction in the soil occurs through plant uptake and utilization, whereas surplus nitrates readily leach into groundwater. The nitrate ion is negatively charged and does not adsorb to clay minerals or organic matter in soils unless they have a significant anion exchange capacity, which is uncommon in Canada. Generally, it is assumed that nitrate will not adsorb to soil particles and will have a high potential for mobility. (Source: Health Canada Water Quality Guideline for Nitrates-Nitrite)

About Nitrates

The health impact of nitrates is methaemoglobinemia. Scientific studies show cases of methaemoglobinemia occurring in bottle-fed infants, which are the vulnerable population for these effects. Recent evidence from animal and human studies suggests that effects on thyroid gland function are also an end-point of concern. Studies have seen an effect in school-age children, but no study has looked at this health effect in infants, who would also be expected to be the most vulnerable population for this health effect. In addition, current science suggests an association between cancer and exposure to nitrates in drinking water when conditions result in nitrosation within the human body. (Source: Health Canada Water Quality Guideline for Nitrates-Nitrite)

The Ministry of Environment has acted to identify and quantify potential sources of nitrates by collecting and reviewing water quality sample data within the Hullcar Valley since 2014. An Inspector’s Order was issued to HS Jansen Dairy and an Information Order to Regehr Feedlot which set operational requirements for both agricultural operators. The ministry is currently leading the inter-ministry response and, is/has actioned each item in the Inter-minstry Hullcar Aquifer Working Group Action Plan.

Key Inter-Ministry Action

Reports & Data

Compliance Inspections & Managing Environmental Risk

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