Ambient Water Quality Monitoring

Environment and Climate Change Canada and the provincial Department of Environment, Climate Change and Municipalities have been monitoring ambient surface water quality of selected water bodies in the province since 1986 under the Canada-Newfoundland Water Quality Monitoring Agreement (WQMA). The purpose of this agreement was practical coordination and integration of federal and provincial water quality monitoring activities. On April 29, 1986, an agreement was signed between the federal and provincial government to establish a joint water quality monitoring network. The agreement administers, plans and operates both the Federal-Provincial Water Quality Monitoring Agreement and Real Time Water Quality Network. The WQMA provides for the regular monitoring of an index network of stations, as well as recurrent studies concentrating on water quality, sediment and biota in a selected watershed. Since its inception, the Agreement has seen water quality data collected at over 120 monitoring sites.

Classification of Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Water Quality Monitoring Agreement Sampling and Water Quality Variables

The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Water Quality Monitoring Agreement is a long term sampling arrangement. Surface waters, including rivers, streams, and lakes, are sampled on a seasonal to monthly basis to collect baseline water quality data, detect trends in water quality, and ensure water quality is suitable for different beneficial water uses. Samples collected include water samples, limited sediment samples, and limited biota samples. WQMA reporting includes an Annual Work Schedule, Intensive Survey Reports, Trend Analysis Report, Site Documentation, Fact Sheets, Specialized Studies, CANAL web page, and technical support for stakeholders.

The collected information advises both federal and provincial agencies in support of:

  • water resources management programs
  • pollution control regulations
  • water quality guidelines and objectives development
  • water quality modeling (simulation and prediction)
  • environmental assessment studies
  • legislative formulations
  • federal, provincial, and international agreements and commitments

Samples are sent to the Environment and Climate Change Canada laboratories for analysis. Physical, chemical, major ion and nutrient parameters are tested for a total of 43 parameters.

Water quality parameters being monitored under the Agreement fall under four major water quality indicators as listed in the table below:

List of Agreement Water Quality Variables
Physical and Chemical Parameters Major Ions Nutrients Trace Elements and Metals
Colour (COLORA) Alkalinity (ALKT) Total Organic Carbon (TOC) Aluminum (ALT)
Conductivity (CONDL) Alkalinity (ALKG) Nitrate (NO3T) Antimony (SBT)
Dissolved Oxygen (O2D) Calcium (CAD) Nitrogen (NT) Arsenic (AST)
pH (PHL) Chloride (CLD Phosphorus (PT) Barium (BAT)
Turbidity (TURB) Magnesium (MGD) Beryllium (BET)
Potassium KD) Bismuth (BIT)
Sodium (NAD) Boron (BT)
Sulphate (SO4IC) Cadmium (CDT)
Cobalt (COT)
Chromium (CRT)
Copper (CUT)
Gallium (GAT)
Iron (FET)
Lanthanum (LAT)
Lead (PBT)
Lithium (LIT)
Manganese (MNT)
Molybdenum (MOT)
Nickel (NIT)
Rubidium (RBT)
Selenium (SET)
Silver (AGT)
Strontium (SRT)
Thallium (TLT)
Uranium (UT)
Vanadium (VT)
Zinc (ZNT)

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Site Locations and Water Quality Monitoring Agreement Data

Monitoring sites in Newfoundland and Labrador – The Canada‐Newfoundland/Labrador AquaLink (CANAL)

The Canada‐Newfoundland/Labrador AquaLink (CANAL) is a joint partnership project between Environment and Climate Change Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador’s Department of Environment, Climate Change and Municipalities. This website allows public access to sample site descriptions and metadata for over 120 water quality monitoring stations throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

Region Site Name Status Station Number
Central BAY DU NORD RIVER BELOW BIG FALLS INACTIVE NF02ZF0020
Central BREAD COVE BROOK AT TCH INACTIVE NF02YS0010
Central CARELESS BROOK AT RESOURCE ROAD STEEL BRIDGE ACTIVE NF02YQ0072
Central CORDUROY BROOK NEAR CENTENNIAL PARK ACTIVE NF02YO0142
Central EXPLOITS RIVER AT ASPEN BROOK ACTIVE NF02YO0020
Central EXPLOITS RIVER AT BISHOP FALLS INACTIVE NF02YO0021
Central EXPLOITS RIVER AT BOND BRIDGE ACTIVE NF02YO0143
Central EXPLOITS RIVER AT GRAND FALLS ACTIVE NF02YO0001
Central EXPLOITS RIVER BELOW GRAND FALLS ACTIVE NF02YO0128
Central EXPLOITS RIVER NEAR MILLERTOWN ACTIVE NF02YO0107
Central GANDER RIVER AT APPLETON ACTIVE NF02YQ0030
Central GANDER RIVER DOWNSTREAM FROM FIRST POND INACTIVE NF02YQ0005
Central INDIAN BROOK AT ROUTE 390 ACTIVE NF02YM0003
Central JEDDORE LAKE NEAR GENERATING STATION INACTIVE NF02ZE0018
Central JOES LAKE AT OUTLET ACTIVE NF02YO0189
Central MIDDLE BROOK NEAR GAMBO INACTIVE NF02YR0021
Central NORTHWEST GANDER RIVER AT HIGHWAY BRIDGE ACTIVE NF02YQ0006
Central NORTHWEST RIVER AT TERRA NOVA NATIONAL PARK ACTIVE NF02YS0083
Central PETERS RIVER NEAR BOTWOOD ACTIVE NF02YO0121
Central POUND COVE BROOK AT ROUTE 330 ACTIVE NF02YR0001
Central SOUTH TWIN LAKE AT DAM INACTIVE NF02YO0123
Central SOUTH WEST BROOK AT BAIE VERTE ACTIVE NF02YM0004
Central SOUTHERN BAY RIVER UPSTREAM FROM BARBOUR BRIDGE INACTIVE NF02ZJ0024
Central SOUTHWEST BROOK AT TCH INACTIVE NF02YS0005
Central STAR BROOK AT ACCESS ROAD INACTIVE NF02YN0036
Central TERRA NOVA RIVER AT SPENCER BRIDGE ACTIVE NF02YS0011
Central TERRA NOVA RIVER AT TERRA NOVA ACTIVE NF02YS0001
Central TERRA NOVA RIVER UPSTREAM FROM NEWTON LAKE INACTIVE NF02YS0012
Eastern BROAD COVE BROOK NEAR ST. PHILLIPS ACTIVE NF02ZM0020
Eastern GARNISH RIVER NEAR GARNISH INACTIVE NF02ZG0016
Eastern GOULDS BROOK NEAR MAKINSONS ACTIVE NF02ZL0029
Eastern GRAND BANK BROOK UPSTREAM OF ROUTE 220 INACTIVE NF02ZG0026
Eastern HEART’S CONTENT RIVER NEAR HEARTS CONTENT INACTIVE NF02ZL0002
Eastern KELLIGREWS RIVER AT KELLIVIEW CRESCENT ACTIVE NF02ZM0183
Eastern KELLY’S BROOK AT PORTUGAL COVE ROAD INACTIVE NF02ZM0144
Eastern LEARYS BROOK AT OUTER RING ROAD INACTIVE NF02ZM0184
Eastern LEARYS BROOK AT PRINCE PHILIP DRIVE ACTIVE NF02ZM0178
Eastern MANUELS RIVER ABOVE MANUELS ACCESS ROAD ACTIVE NF02ZM0294
Eastern MOBILE RIVER UPSTREAM OF ROUTE 10 INACTIVE NF02ZM0018
Eastern MUNDY POND AT OUTLET ACTIVE NF02ZM0109
Eastern NORTHEAST RIVER NEAR PLACENTIA ACTIVE NF02ZK0005
Eastern NORTHWEST BROOK NEAR DANIELS POINT INACTIVE NF02ZN0002
Eastern NUT BROOK AT TCH INACTIVE NF02ZM0186
Eastern PADDYS POND AT OUTLET ACTIVE NF02ZM0359
Eastern PIPERS HOLE RIVER AT MOTHERS BROOK INACTIVE NF02ZH0001
Eastern QUIDI VIDI LAKE AT OUTLET ACTIVE NF02ZM0015
Eastern RATTLE BROOK AT SOUTH BRANCH INACTIVE NF02ZG0025
Eastern RAYMOND BROOK UPSTREAM OF ROUTE 10 INACTIVE NF02ZM0017
Eastern RENNIE’S RIVER AT CARNELL DRIVE ACTIVE NF02ZM0016
Eastern RENNIE’S RIVER AT PORTUGAL COVE ROAD ACTIVE NF02ZM0177
Eastern ROCKY RIVER NEAR COLINET INACTIVE NF02ZK0001
Eastern SALMONIER RIVER AT ST. CATHERINES ACTIVE NF02ZN0004
Eastern SEAL COVE RIVER NEAR CAPPAHAYDEN INACTIVE NF02ZM0019
Eastern SOUTH BROOK AT HEADWATERS ACTIVE NF02ZM0185
Eastern SOUTH BROOK AT MOUTH ACTIVE NF02ZM0176
Eastern SPOUT COVE BROOK NEAR SPOUT COVE INACTIVE NF02ZL0001
Eastern TIDES BROOK BELOW FRESHWATER POND INACTIVE NF02ZG0024
Eastern TRIBUTARY TO VIRGINIA RIVER AT GUZZWELL DRIVE ACTIVE NF02ZM0179
Eastern VIRGINIA RIVER AT HEADWATERS ACTIVE NF02ZM0098
Eastern VIRGINIA RIVER AT NEWFOUNDLAND DRIVE ACTIVE NF02ZM0180
Eastern VIRGINIA RIVER AT THE BOULEVARD ACTIVE NF02ZM0014
Eastern WATERFORD RIVER AT BLACKHEAD ROAD ACTIVE NF02ZM0181
Eastern WATERFORD RIVER AT BREMIGANS POND DAM ACTIVE NF02ZM0182
Eastern WATERFORD RIVER AT BROOKFIELD ROAD ACTIVE NF02ZM0175
Eastern WATERFORD RIVER AT COMMONWEALTH AVENUE ACTIVE NF02ZM0004
Eastern WATERFORD RIVER AT KILBRIDE ACTIVE NF02ZM0009
Labrador ALEXIS RIVER NEAR PORT HOPE SIMPSON ACTIVE NF03QC0002
Labrador ASHUANIPI RIVER AT FERGUSON BAY ACTIVE NF03OA0020
Labrador ATIKONAK RIVER ABOVE PANCHIA LAKE ACTIVE NF03OC0012
Labrador BIG POND BROOK BELOW BIG POND ACTIVE NF03OE0033
Labrador CARTER BASIN OUTFLOW ACTIVE NF03QA0044
Labrador CHURCHILL RIVER 6.15 KMS BELOW LOWER MUSKRAT FALLS ACTIVE NF03OE0050
Labrador CHURCHILL RIVER ABOVE UPPER MUSKRAT FALLS ACTIVE NF03OE0001
Labrador EAGLE RIVER ABOVE FALLS ACTIVE NF03QC0001
Labrador EAST METCHIN RIVER AT TLH ACTIVE NF03OD0011
Labrador LITTLE MECATINA RIVER ABOVE LAC FOURMONT ACTIVE NF02XA0001
Labrador MINIPI RIVER BELOW MINIPI LAKE ACTIVE NF03OE0030
Labrador NASKAUPI RIVER BELOW NASKAUPI LAKE ACTIVE NF03PB0025
Labrador PINUS RIVER ABOVE TLH ACTIVE NF03OE0032
Labrador TRIBUTARY TO ST AUGUSTINE RIVER NF02XB0018
Labrador UGJOKTOK RIVER BELOW HARP LAKE ACTIVE NF03NF0013
Labrador Ashkui CACHE RIVER AT TLH ACTIVE NF03OE0037
Labrador Ashkui CAPE CARIBOU RIVER AT GRAND LAKE ACTIVE NF03PB0028
Labrador Ashkui DOMINION LAKE OUTFLOW ACTIVE NF03OE0035
Labrador Ashkui GRAND LAKE OUTFLOW AT NORTH WEST RIVER ACTIVE NF03PB0029
Labrador Ashkui KENAMU RIVER NEAR MOUTH ACTIVE NF03QA0045
Labrador Ashkui LAC FOURMONT AT OUTLET INACTIVE NF02XA0029
Labrador Ashkui MINIPI LAKE AT NORTHERN END OF LAKE INACTIVE NF03OE0034
Labrador Ashkui NASKAUPI RIVER AT CROOKED RIVER INACTIVE NF03PB0027
Labrador Ashkui PINUS RIVER AT TLH INACTIVE NF03OE0036
Labrador Ashkui SEAL LAKE AT NARROWS ACTIVE NF03PB0030
Labrador Ashkui SHIPISKAN LAKE AT OUTLET INACTIVE NF03NG0034
Labrador Ashkui SHIPISKAN LAKE NORTH INFLOW INACTIVE NF03NG0033
Labrador Ashkui SHIPISKAN LAKE WEST INFLOW INACTIVE NF03NG0032
Labrador Ashkui SUSAN RIVER NORTH OF BEAVER RIVER ACTIVE NF03PB0032
Labrador Ashkui WILSON RIVER EAST BRANCH ACTIVE NF03OD0012
Labrador Ashkui WUCHUSK LAKE AT NASKAUPI RIVER INFLOW ACTIVE NF03PB0037
Western BUCK LAKE ON ROUTE 480 ACTIVE NF02ZC0020
Western CINQ CERF BROOK ABOVE NORTHWEST BROOK INACTIVE NF02ZB0005
Western CORNER BROOK AT MARGARET BOWATER PARK ACTIVE NF02YL0013
Western CRABBE’S RIVER AT RAILWAY BRIDGE INACTIVE NF02ZA0007
Western EAGLE MOUNTAIN BROOK BELOW EAGLE MOUNTAIN POND ACTIVE NF02YG0020
Western GRAND CODROY RIVER BELOW OVERFALL BROOK ACTIVE NF02ZA0006
Western GRANDY BROOK BELOW TOP POND BROOK INACTIVE NF02ZC0001
Western GREY RIVER NEAR GREY RIVER INACTIVE NF02ZD0003
Western HARRYS RIVER BELOW HIGHWAY BRIDGE INACTIVE NF02YJ0006
Western HUMBER CANAL AT MAIN DAM ROAD ACTIVE NF02YK0022
Western HUMBER RIVER AT HUMBER VILLAGE BRIDGE ACTIVE NF02YL0012
Western HUMBER RIVER AT LITTLE FALLS BRIDGE ACTIVE NF02YL0011
Western ISLE AUX MORTS RIVER BELOW HIGHWAY BRIDGE INACTIVE NF02ZB0001
Western LLOYDS RIVER AT ROUTE 480 ACTIVE NF02YN0001
Western LOMOND RIVER AT ROUTE 431 ACTIVE NF02YH0018
Western MAIN RIVER AT PARADISE POOL ACTIVE NF02YG0009
Western MAIN RIVER AT ROUTE 420 ACTIVE NF02YG0001
Western PETER STRIDES LAKE AT ROUTE 480 ACTIVE NF02YN0043
Western PINCHGUT BROOK AT TCH ACTIVE NF02YJ0004
Western PORTLAND CREEK AT ROUTE 430 ACTIVE NF02YE0004
Western SOUTH BRANCH RIVER AT TCH INACTIVE NF02ZA0001
Western STE. GENEVIEVE RIVER NEAR FORRESTERS POINT INACTIVE NF02YA0001
Western TORRENT RIVER AT BRISTOL’S POOL POINT INACTIVE NF02YC0001
Western WESTERN BROOK AT ROUTE 430 ACTIVE NF02YE0005
Western WHITE BEAR RIVER ABOVE BIG INDIAN BROOK INACTIVE NF02ZC0011
Western WILD COVE BROOK AT ROUTE 440 ACTIVE NF02YL0029

Historical WQMA data (2000-present) is currently available via Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Open Data Portal. Direct links to the data are provided here:

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Contour Maps

Summarizing and visualizing large amounts of ambient water quality data can be complex and time consuming. Contour maps provide a way to quickly and easily combine large amounts of data to view the variations in water quality across a geographic area. Each contour represents an estimated range of a particular water quality parameter, based on known values at the stations where data was previously collected. This enables the user to quickly compare water quality of one region to another, gauge the magnitude of a water quality value based on its range within the province, and identify areas of concern that would help guide future monitoring and management activities. Spatial context is another benefit inherent with mapping as knowledge of location may help explain why certain areas have higher or lower readings for a particular water quality parameter. Prevailing climatic conditions, geology, and anthropogenic activity are some examples of contextual information that could help interpret water quality results.

Data collected from multiple sampling programs within the Water Resources Management Division between 1985 -2013 was summarized and analyzed. Care was taken to include only data which was relevant and accurate. The maps are based on median values, and while they do not provide detailed information about the parameters, they can provide a general idea of background ambient values across the province.

The contour regions were estimated using a geostatistical approach known as inverse distance weighting model.

Current Contour Maps – Data 1985 – 2013

Data Sources:

  • Canada – Newfoundland and Labrador Water Quality Monitoring Agreement (WQMA) – Grab Sample Data
  • NL Real Time Water Quality Monitoring Network – QA/QC Grab Sample Data
  • NL Drinking Water Program – Source Water Grab Sample Data

Cautions:

  • The contour maps below are visual representations of summarized water quality data. Detailed analysis should be performed as necessary.
  • While care has been taken to produce maps as accurately as possible, working with older datasets and multiple detection limit changes was a major challenge. Minor inaccuracies may still exist.
  • Where necessary, parameters or stations have been excluded due to limited data availability as samples reporting as less than detection limits cannot be incorporated accurately.
  • Some maps are more accurate than others as they contain more stations with data  from which to generate the contours. Maps with less stations will be less reliable for interpolation and should be used with caution.
  • Neither the organizations collecting data, nor any person acting on behalf of any of them, assume any liability for the misuse or misunderstanding of the data. The user is expected to make the final evaluation of the appropriateness and accuracy of the data and calculations in his (or her) own set of circumstances. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Municipalities, Water Resources Management Division will not accept and does not assume any responsibility for information provided by third parties.
Physical and Chemical Parameters Major Ions Nutrients Trace Elements and Metals
Alkalinity Calcium (Ca) Carbon Aluminum (Al)
Colour Chloride (Cl) Nitrogen (N) Antimony (Sb)
Specific Conductance Fluoride (F) Phosphorous (P) Arsenic (As)
pH Magnesium (Mg) Barium (Ba)
Potassium (K) Beryllium (Be)
Sulphate (SO4) Bismuth (Bi)
Boron (B)
Cadmium (Cd)
Cobalt (Co)
Chromium (Cr)
Copper (Cu)
Gallium (Ga)
Lanthanum (La)
Iron (Fe)
Lead (Pb)
Lithium (Li)
Manganese (Mn)
Molybdenum (Mo)
Nickel (Ni)
Rubidium (Rb)
Strontium (Sr)
Thallium (Tl)
Uranium (U)
Vanadium (V)
Zinc (Zn)
Archived Contour Maps – Data 1985 – 2000
Physical and Chemical Parameters Major Ions Nutrients Trace Elements and Metals
Alkalinity Calcium (Ca) Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) Aluminum (Al)
Colour Chloride (Cl) Nitrogen (N) Arsenic (As)
Conductivity Fluoride (F) Phosphorous (P) Barium (Ba)
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Magnesium (Mg) Silica (Si) Beryllium (Be)
pH Potassium (K) Cadmium (Cd)
Turbidity Sodium (Na) Cobalt (Co)
Water Temperature Sulphate (SO4) Chromium (Cr)
Copper (Cu)
Iron (Fe)
Lead (Pb)
Lithium (Li)
Manganese (Mn)
Mercury (Hg)
Molybdenum (Mo)
Nickel (Ni)
Selenium (Extractable) (Se)
Strontium (Sr)
Vanadium (V)
Zinc (Zn)

 

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Water Quality Trends

Water Quality Trends in Selected Surface Water Bodies of Newfoundland & Labrador – Phase 2 is a follow up report with the same title published from 2003.  The original report examined trends in 36 different water quality parameters from 65 different water quality monitoring stations using data from 1986-2001. The Phase 2 report examine trends in 31 of the original water quality parameters and 34 of the original stations using data from 1986-2013.

Mann Kendall trend test with significance level 0.05 applied to determine existence of trend in R statistical programming (version 3.42).

Based on the report some of the observed parameter trend includes:

  • A decrease (or improving trend) in conductivity throughout the province with corresponding decrease in calcium and magnesium in the Eastern and Western region.
  • A decrease (or improving trend) trends in zinc, lithium, throughout the province.
  • A decrease (or improving trend) in barium in the Central and Eastern region.
  • A decrease (or improving trend) in copper throughout the province.
  • A decrease (or improving trend) in phosphorous in rivers of the Central and Eastern Region.
  • A decrease (or improving trend) of strontium in rivers of Central Region.
  • An increase (improving trend) in pH throughout the province.
  • An increase (or deteriorating trend) in turbidity throughout the province.
  • An increase (or deteriorating trend) in colour throughout the province.
  • An increase (or deteriorating trend) in nitrogen throughout the province.
  • An increase (or deteriorating trend) in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) throughout the province.
  • An increase (or deteriorating trend) in arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, lead, molybdenum, nickel and selenium throughout the province. However, these parameters had the highest occurrence of censored data that is believed to have had some influence on the trend analysis.

The risk-based assessment (RBA) results, Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicator (CESI) station classification based on land use, developmental pressures from Canada Newfoundland Aqua Link (CANAL) helped determine likely causes contributing to the improving or deterioration of water quality trends.

The majority of increasing (deteriorating) trends were associated with urban influences, increased precipitation from climate change and global carbon emissions. The majority of decreasing (improving) trends were associated with river stewardship programs established in urban areas, reductions in the rate of atmospheric deposition and natural geological factors.

The report and other associated documents are available via the following links in Adobe pdf format:

Note: all links below are PDFs and will open in a new window

Disclaimer:

The Department of Environment, Climate Change and Municipalities, Water Resources Management Division, employs reasonable efforts, whenever feasible, to ensure the accuracy and precision of the information provided. Some of this material has limitations due to the sources of the data and the technology used in processing and managing the data. Users of water quality trend results are responsible for verifying that the material is appropriate for the use or application for which they wish to employ it. Water Resources Management Division makes no representation or warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, as to the information presented in this application nor as to its fitness for any particular use, and Water Resources Management Division does not assume nor accept any liability arising from any use of the information and applications used to display or use the information. The water quality trend results are not intended for any legal purpose, nor for planning or navigation purposes. The data may change from time to time as updated information is received. If any information is noted to be incorrect, please contact: annettetobin@gov.nl.ca.

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Risk-Based Approach (RBA) to Station Assessment

Environment and Climate Change Canada has implemented a tool for assessing the level of potential risk to water quality at its monitoring stations across Canada. WRMD has adapted this tool to provide an assessment of the level of risk to water quality at each water monitoring station in the WRMD network. More information on the Risk Based Approach (RBA).

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Reports Available

Reports were developed by the Water Quality section in cooperation with Environment and Climate Change Canada:

Manuals:
Annual Work Schedules
Progress Reports
Technical Reports
External Water Quality Reports

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