EOS Eco-Energy is inviting residents from around Sackville, Port Elgin, Baie Verte and Murray Corner to take part in a water testing blitz on Friday, August 9.
At four different locations throughout the day, EOS will hand out water sample bottles to residents who will then go collect samples and return them for same day testing at the government-owned RPC lab in Moncton.
The testing is paid for through a grant from the New Brunswick Environmental Trust Fund, and EOS watershed intern Rachel Francis says the group is hoping to get as many volunteers as possible, collecting samples from a variety of brooks and streams.
Testing for the August 9 blitz is limited to e. coli, a key indicator of water safety for recreation.
“If someone has their own specific fishing place or a little down-low swimming area, we can test that for them so that they know where they’re hanging out and fishing and swimming is safe for them as well,” says Francis.
Francis is also responsible for more extensive water testing at 12 different sites throughout the Tantramar, Memramcook and Cape Tormentine watersheds, as part of the EOS watershed monitoring program.
Francis says water close to pastures or agricultural areas, as well as sewage systems are particularly vulnerable to e. coli.
The town of Tantramar currently tests for e. coli in Silver Lake on a weekly basis, and posts those results online. So far this year, e. coli counts have been well below the national standard for safe swimming waters.
Francis says any member of the community is welcome to participate. “We would love to meet and chat with them, and explain what we’re doing,” she says.
EOS will be at the following locations on August 9:
- 8:30am-10am: Murray Corner, across the street from Allen’s Marketplace and Rental Cabins, 1509 Route 955
- 10:20am-11:50am: Port Elgin, on the Gaspereau River, near 10 Shemogue Road
- 12pm-1:30pm: Baie Verte, 290 Route 970 at Baie Verte Park
- 2pm-3:30pm: Sackville, Bill Johnstone Park on Main Street.
For more information, contact Francis by email at assistant@eosecoenergy.com.
