Abstract
<jats:p>Water is essential for life, and steps are needed to understand, protect and restore its health in fish habitat throughout British Columbia. The Raincoast Healthy Waters program was launched in 2023 to establish community-oriented water pollution monitoring in select BC watersheds. Two Healthy Waters sampling events take place every year in each watershed, the first in the dry season (summer), and the second being in the wet season (winter). This report highlights results from the second wet (winter) season sampling carried out with the support and participation of Cowichan Tribes. Briefly, the Healthy Waters - Cowichan Tribes team determined basic water properties (temperature, conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen and turbidity) in situ at sampling sites on December 18, 2024. Water samples were collected from five water categories, including source water (3 samples), stream and river water (3 samples), road runoff (3 samples), tap water (10 samples) and marine water (3 samples). The samples were pooled into composite by category and then analysed for coliform, nutrients (6), physical parameters, metals (37), pesticides (62), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs; 76), pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs; 141), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs; 209), alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs; 4), bisphenols (BPs; 6), per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS; 40), and sucralose. Analysis of 6PPD-quinone is pending. We detected 144 contaminants out of 573 measured in the stream and river category - i.e. fish habitat - for the Quw’utsun Sta'lo' (Cowichan River) watershed, excluding nutrients, fecal coliform and physical parameters. Overall, Quw’utsun Sta'lo' (Cowichan River) water quality was relatively good. Additional sampling and analysis will provide additional insight into any sources or activities that may be impacting the health of this valued watershed.</jats:p>