Burrard Inlet Water Quality Objectives
Water quality objectives (WQOs) for Burrard Inlet represent a collaborative effort led by Tsleil-Waututh Nation with the Province of B.C. to inform water quality management and protect the water values associated with the marine waters of Burrard Inlet and its freshwater tributaries.
The Burrard Inlet WQOs have been co-signed by the Province of B.C. and Tsleil-Waututh Nation, establishing a first of its kind Government-to-Government initiative that weaves western science with Traditional Indigenous Values and Knowledge. The WQOs are for the protection of human consumption of shellfish, human consumption of finfish, aquatic life, wildlife, cultural practices, recreational uses, and institutional uses.
The Burrard Inlet WQOs update is a work in progress and new WQOs will be added as the supporting technical reports are completed for each water quality parameter of concern. The current WQOs (1990) for the freshwater tributaries to Burrard Inlet remain in effect. Updating the Burrard Inlet WQOs is the first of six priority actions proposed by Tsleil-Waututh Nation in their Burrard Inlet Action Plan and lays the foundation for further efforts to protect the water quality and values of Burrard Inlet.
New or Updated WQOs include:
- Arsenic
- Mercury
- Persistant Organic Pollutants
- Microplastics
- Pharmaceuticals & Personal Care Products
- Cadmium
- Microbiological Indicators
- Copper
- Lead
- Nickel
- Zinc
- Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH)
- Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE)
See the Burrard Inlet WQOs for more information on new and existing objectives.
Introduction
- Burrard Inlet Water Quality Assessment and Proposed Objectives: Introduction (PDF, 1.1MB)
- Burrard Inlet Water Quality Assessment and Proposed Objectives: Introduction Appendices (PDF, 2.4MB)
- Burrard Inlet Water Quality Assessment and Proposed Objectives: Introduction Maps (PDF, 17MB)
Metals
- Burrard Inlet Water Quality Assessment and Proposed Objectives: Cadmium Technical Report (PDF, 25MB)
- Burrard Inlet Water Quality Objectives: Cadmium Technical Report Addendum (PDF, 525KB)
- Burrard Inlet Water Quality Objectives: Copper Technical Report (PDF, 5MB)
- Burrard Inlet Water Quality Objectives: Lead Technical Report (PDF, 18MB)
- Burrard Inlet Water Quality Objectives: Nickel Technical Report (PDF, 5MB)
- Burrard Inlet Water Quality Objectives: Zinc Technical Report (PDF, 17.5MB)
Microbiological indicators
- Burrard Inlet Water Quality Objectives: Microbiological Indicators Technical Report (PDF, 5MB)
- Burrard Inlet Water Quality Objectives: Microbiological Technical Report Addendum (PDF, 3MB)
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
- Burrard Inlet Water Quality Objectives: PAH Technical Report (PDF, 2.5MB)
- Burrard Inlet Water Quality Objectives: PAH Heat Maps (PDF, 18MB)
Tissue screening
Other
- Burrard Inlet Water Quality Assessment and Proposed Objectives: Microplastics Technical Report (PDF, 1MB)
- Burrard Inlet Water Quality Objectives: PBDEs Technical Report (PDF, 3MB)
- Burrard Inlet Water Quality Assessment and Proposed Objectives: Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products Technical Report (PDF, 724.5KB)