Carleton Researchers Probe Rideau River to Bridge Critical Knowledge Gap
When Banu Örmeci was approached by community members about conducting more water quality testing in the Rideau River, she was more than happy to oblige.
The Carleton University researcher said the City of Ottawa typically does water testing only at a handful of beaches that are mostly along the Ottawa River. She said this left a “knowledge gap” she was willing to fill.
“I understand that (the city) focuses on the beaches,” Örmeci said. “But there is a need.”
Along with colleague Richard Kibbee, Örmeci has been conducting weekly water testing along the Rideau River until the end of the summer. The sites they’re sampling have included Manotick Mill, Brewer Park, Windsor Park, Brantwood Park and Springhurst Park.
The first sampling of each location took place on June 26. Each sampling at these locations scored very low counts of E. coli and met provincial water quality standards.
To meet these standards, E. coli counts must be below 200 E. coli per 100 millilitres of water. The highest count from the researchers’ testing was 80.
“We simply measure the water quality but we do not make any recommendations about the recreational safety of the water,” Örmeci said.
In a statement to the Ottawa Citizen, Ottawa Public Health said they do water quality testing at Mooney’s Bay. The city recently came under fire for making the controversial decision to reduce the number of times it tests the water quality at beaches to once a week.
A few weeks ago, the National Capital Commission opened Dow’s Lake to swimming for the first time in more than a century. That water will be tested five times a week.
Local residents who live along Rideau River, however, would like to see testing at more points along the water way. Rick Burrowes, who lives near Springhurst Park in Old Ottawa East, said there are several access points along the 146-kilometre river that residents often use to go kayaking, paddle-boarding or even the occasional swim.
Burrowes said while he has enjoyed swimming in the Rideau River, he wanted to know how safe it was. He felt that others were hesitant to join him, but that they would be more likely to do so if they were aware of the quality of the water.
“It’s a wonderful thing, a real treasure to have this river in our city,” he said. “It could be enjoyed by a lot more people.”
Örmeci, who has been swimming in the Rideau River since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic , said there is a general perception that the river is “very dirty.” But she asaid that the river’s water quality is “fine for recreational activities.”
“I hope with this additional testing, we can bridge the gap between perception and the actual water quality,” she said.
Örmeci, who has not received extra funding to do the work, said being able to test the water and provide the data results to the public, health and city officials is an essential tool in assessing safe water conditions for Ottawa residents.
“In Ottawa, there is really very little water testing done,” she said. “This is a lot of effort but we’re very happy to do this at my lab.”
