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Air Quality
- Communities Exposed to Health Risks
- Health Risks from Fine Particulates
- Ground Level Ozone in B.C.
Health and Environment
- Mercury Concentration
- Pesticide Use
- UV Index
Surface Water Quality
- Surface Water Quality in B.C.
- Stream Crossing Density
- Water Quality Index
Ground Water
- Observation Wells Showing Declining Water Levels
- Heavily Used Aquifers
- Aquifers Vulnerable to Contamination
Surface Water Use
- Licensed Streams with Water Allocation Restrictions
- Stream Allocation Restrictions in B.C.
- Per Capita Municipal Water Use
- Effect of Metering on Domestic Water Use
- Volume of Water Licensed for Bottling
Toxic Contaminants
- On-Site Toxic Substances Releases
- On-Site Toxic Substances Releases in Canada
- Toxic Substance Release Sites in B.C.
- Absorbable Organic Halide (AOX) Discharge in Pulp and Paper Effluent
Chemicals in Wildlife
- Contaminants in Great Blue Heron Eggs
- PCBs and Dioxins and Furans in Harbour Seals
- Dioxins and Furans in Dungeness Crabs Near Pulp Mills
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- Total Greenhouse Gas Emissions in B.C.
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions 1990 - 1999
- Vehicle Sales in B.C.
Climate Change
- Change in Air Temperature
- Fraser River Annual Flow
- Fraser River Temperature
Mitigation of Impact
- B.C. Wastewater Treatment
- Canadian Wastewater Treatment
- Liquid Manure Storage Capacity in Lower Fraser Valley
- Shellfish Closures
- Mine Sites Requiring Mitigation
- Municipal Waste and Recycling
- Industry Product Stewardship Programs
Economy
- Energy Consumption
- Certified Organic Producers
- GDP Generated by Provincial Parks
- Environment Industry Employment
Protected Areas
- Protected Area Status
- Protected Ecosystems
- Protected Areas by Size
- Protected Areas Across Canada
- Protected Forests
Species at Risk
- Threatened or Endangered Species
- Threatened or Endangered Species by Ecoprovince
- Threats to Species at Risk
- Across Canada Comparison
Habitat
- Road Density
- Lost Habitat Types
- Species at Risk and Habitat Dependency
- Protected Areas Across Canada
- Large Areas of Habitat
- Protected Estuaries
Fish
- Steelhead Stocks
- Sturgeon in Fraser, Columbia and Nechako Rivers
- Bull Trout Trends by Watershed
Wildlife
- Species Range
- Status of Caribou
- Status of Columbia Sharp-Tailed Grouse
- Status of Grizzly Bear

Government
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Environmental Trends 2002

Mitigation of Impact

How Does Sewage Affect the Marine Environment?

Cumulative Shellfish Sanitary Closures in British Columbia

Source: Environmental Protection Branch, Environment Canada, Pacific and Yukon Region, 2000.

How does sewage affect the marine environment?

Shellfish feed by filtering large volumes of water to remove suspended food particles. As a result, any harmful bacteria, viruses or toxic substances present in the marine environment are concentrated in these organisms.
Between 1991 and 1999 a total of 105 closures were issued, affecting a total of 28,000 hectares. During this time only 18 closures were revoked.
Sanitary shellfish closures are attributed to a combination of sources including urban runoff, primary sewage discharge, septic system seepage, boat sewage discharge and agricultural runoff.

For detailed information, including graph data, see In-Depth report [pdf].

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