Water Quality Objectives Attainment Summary, Coquitlam River 2002
This report presents the results of monitoring done in 2002 to check the attainment of Coquitlam River water quality objectives that were set in 1989. Objectives have not been monitored since 1989. The CCME Water Quality Index was also determined for the Coquitlam River and its tributaries, Or Creek and Scott Creek, using 2002 results.
 Five sites in the Coquitlam River watershed were monitored: Or Creek, Coquitlam River at the GVRD gate, Coquitlam River downstream of the gravel pits, Scott Creek downstream of Hwy 7, and Coquitlam River near the mouth. Samples and field measurements were collected weekly for five weeks during November and December 2002. Bacteriological indicators included fecal coliforms, enterococci, and Escherichia coli. Water quality indicators included dissolved oxygen, water temperature, suspended solids, ammonia, nitrate, and trace metals (aluminum, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, and zinc).
Objectives for fecal coliforms were met at all sites, while objectives for E. coli were met at all sites except Coquitlam River at the mouth. Enterococci objectives were met at Or Creek and Coquitlam River at the GVRD gate, but were not met at the three downstream sites.
 Watershed-specific objectives, or BC guidelines where objectives are not established, were met at all sites for water temperature, suspended sediment, ammonia, nitrate, and most trace metals. Objectives for dissolved oxygen were not met in Or Creek, Scott Creek, or in the Coquitlam River downstream of the gravel pit and at the mouth. The objective for pH was not met in Or Creek. The objectives for turbidity were not met in the Coquitlam River downstream of the gravel pit or at the mouth. Guidelines for dissolved aluminum and total cadmium were not met on at least one occasion at most sites. The level of non-attainment revealed by the 2002 monitoring program warrants both source investigation and follow-up monitoring.
The Water Quality Index ratings for the Coquitlam River, Or Creek, and Scott Creek were all Fair in 2002, due to several objective exceedances.
The summary report is available here (PDF/165 KB/2 pages).
The complete report is available here (PDF/1.21 MB/43 pages).
UPDATED: JULY 2004
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