Dunk

Nitrate levels climbing in P.E.I. rivers

Nitrate levels climbing in P.E.I. rivers

Provincial monitoring of nitrates in 10 P.E.I. rivers shows levels are rising, according to a recently released report. In three of the streams — the Wilmot, Dunk and Clyde — nitrate levels were over the Canadian Water Quality Guideline for Aquatic Life. The source of the nitrates is mostly agricultural fertilizer, the provincial report says. Environment Minister Steven Myers said recent droughts are the expected culprit. Without timely rain plants can't absorb the fertilizer, and then it washes into streams.

Taking water from stressed rivers during drought not allowed under new P.E.I. Water Act, says official

Taking water from stressed rivers during drought not allowed under new P.E.I. Water Act, says official

An incident last summer where water was drawn for irrigation from the Dunk River in central P.E.I. during a drought would not be allowed under the new Water Act, says the province's manager of water and air monitoring. Bruce Raymond made the comments while appearing before a standing committee of the legislature. Last summer, five farmers in the Kinkora-Bedeque region were allowed to use surface water in the Dunk in August despite that waterway being 5 centimetres below levels when water use should be cut off, according to current provincial regulations.