Pollution
Problems in the Watershed
The biggest issues concerning the pollution of our
drinking water are: mismanaged property development or soil disturbance, poorly
maintained septic fields or tanks, carelessness and/or ignorance.
Non point sources of pollution
Non-point source pollution is a fancy term
for polluted runoff. The term is used to distinguish this
type of pollution from point source pollution ,
which comes from a single specific source such as a sewage
treatment plant or industrial facilities.
Soil disruption contamination
 Adding
fill
Fills such large boulders and sand are biological deserts.
Sand does not support native vegetation that is commonly found
around the lakes
Clearing ditches
This practice in the watershed contributes to phosphorus
loading and sediments. When soil is disturbed, phosphorus
is released. It then runs off into the groundwater and into
lakes
Clearing riparian areas
Land that has been cleared high in the watershed
takes away vital natural water filter systems known as riparian
zones
Retaining walls
These structures destroy habitat and degrade water
quality. By the way they also require a development permit.
You could be subjecting yourself to a large fine should you
decide to go without.
Contaminants, Chemicals and Toxic
materials
When we generate, use, discard and even store these materials
incorrectly they can enter and contaminate a watercourse directly
or travel there through run-off. These contaminants include
but are not limited to: pesticides, sewage, lubricants, fertilizers,
house-hold cleansers, personal products.
Hazardous Household and Garden Products
These materials can greatly contaminate our drinking
water when they drain into the lake. Check your labels if
there's a skull & cross-bone or similar warning chances
are you could be drinking or bathing in it a short while
after using it.
Garbage
Picnickers, partiers and even poopers cause contamination.
Do not use the lake as a dump or landfill site to dispose
of garbage or other waste.
Oil spills
Even small drips from a leaky old truck are
hazardous. One litre of oil can contaminate up to 2 million
litres of water. And the potential for an even larger spill
along narrow Cusheon Lake Road is high.
Water washing
Rain, car washing, and the watering of crops or
lawns, picks up an array of contaminants. This runoff finds
its way into our waterways either directly or through storm
drain collection systems.
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