Burrard Inlet Water Quality Objectives
Last updated on September 6, 2024Current Burrard Inlet Water Quality Objectives
On this page
- Introduction
- About the Tsleil-Waututh Nation
- Purpose of the WQOs
- Updating the WQOs: A Priority Action
- Water quality assessment technical reports
- Water quality assessment and attainment monitoring
Introduction
Burrard Inlet Water Quality Objectives (WQOs) were co-signed by the B.C. government and the Tsleil-Waututh Nation.
This step was the start of a first of its kind government-to-government initiative that weaves together western science and Traditional Indigenous Values and Knowledge.
Water Quality Objectives for Burrard Inlet represent a partnership.
The Tsleil-Waututh Nation leads this partnership with the B.C. government to:
- Inform water quality management
- Protect the water values associated with Burrard Inlet's marine waters and freshwater tributaries
Photo credit: Kari Chambers, courtesy of Tsleil-Waututh Nation
About the Tsleil-Waututh Nation
For more information about the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, visit the Tsleil-Waututh Nation website and review the Burrard Inlet Action Plan.
Purpose of the WQOs
WQOs are numbers or statements that represent safe levels of substances in B.C. waterbodies.
WQOs are developed for waterbodies of regional, provincial, inter-provincial, international and Indigenous importance. WQOs inform resource management decisions and promote the stewardship of water resources in B.C.
The goal in Burrard Inlet is to improve water quality by reducing and eliminating contamination.
Burrard Inlet WQOs are developed to protect:
- The health of people who eat fish and shellfish
- Aquatic life
- Wildlife
- Cultural practices
- Recreational and institutional uses
Updating the WQOs: A Priority Action
The Tsleil-Waututh Nation proposed 6 priority actions in their Burrard Inlet Action Plan.
Of the 6 actions, updating the Burrard Inlet WQOs is the first priority.
All 6 actions are the basis for more efforts to protect the water quality and values of Burrard Inlet.
The Burrard Inlet Water WQOs are being updated in a stepwise process. The Tsleil-Waututh Nation and the province add new objectives as they complete the supporting technical reports.
Water quality assessment technical reports
These reports supported the development of the Burrard Inlet Water Quality Objectives.
Introduction
Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs)
Metals
- Arsenic Technical Report (PDF, 2.8MB)
- Cadmium Technical Report (PDF, 25MB)
- Cadmium Technical Report Addendum (PDF, 525KB)
- Copper Technical Report (PDF, 5MB)
- Lead Technical Report (PDF, 18MB)
- Mercury Technical Report (PDF, 2.6MB)
- Nickel Technical Report (PDF, 5MB)
- Zinc Technical Report (PDF, 17.5MB)
Microbiological indicators
- Microbiological Indicators Technical Report (PDF, 5MB)
- Microbiological Technical Report Appendix (PDF, 3MB)
Microplastics
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
- Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) Technical Report (PDF, 3MB)
- Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), Dioxins (PCDDs) and Furans (PCDFs) Technical Report (PDF, 3MB)
- Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Technical Report (PDF, 2.5MB)
- PAHs Technical Report – Appendix A – Heat Maps (PDF, 18MB)