The effects of non-point source pollution on surface water quality, Clayburn Watershed, Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada

In Abbotsford’s Clayburn Watershed, urban rainwater runoff and agricultural land drainage generally enter surface watercourses untreated. Existing literature suggests that both inputs can potentially contribute to non-point source pollution. This study evaluates the effects of non-point source pollu...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Brown, Darren James
Other Authors: Newman, Lenore
Published: 2009
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10170/101
Description
Summary:In Abbotsford’s Clayburn Watershed, urban rainwater runoff and agricultural land drainage generally enter surface watercourses untreated. Existing literature suggests that both inputs can potentially contribute to non-point source pollution. This study evaluates the effects of non-point source pollution on surface water quality and assesses the role of wastewater management in mitigating these effects. Based on a water quality sampling program carried out between September 2007 and August 2008 both urban rainwater runoff and agricultural land drainage were shown to significantly and negatively affect surface water quality. Subsequently, it is recommended that non-point source pollution should be included in Abbotsford’s wastewater management strategy. Mitigation measures proposed include retention treatment of rainwater in urban areas and manure recycling (waste to energy) projects for agricultural lands.