This document discusses the effects of sulphate on the various water use categories which may include drinking water, aquatic life, wildlife, livestock watering, irrigation, recreation and aesthetics, and industrial water supplies.
This document focuses primarily on the protection of aquatic life. Where applicable, or where sufficient information exists, guidelines are recommended to protect other water uses from the deleterious effects of sulphate. As part of this guideline development process, water quality standards, objectives, and guidelines and accompanying rationales from other jurisdictions are reviewed and their suitability for British Columbia waters are considered.
The need for water quality guidelines for sulphate in BC has been identified by regions over the desire of some BC mines to discharge sulphate at levels which exceed those that normally occur in natural freshwater systems. There are currently no water quality guidelines specified for sulphate in Canadian waters to protect environmental resources. Generally, sulphate is not believed to be particularly toxic to aquatic organisms, except at very high concentrations.