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MUNICIPAL COUNCIL
AGENDA
Thursday,March 28, 2019
Chester Municipal Council Chambers
151 King Street, Chester, NS
1.MEETING CALLED TO ORDER.
2.APPROVAL OF AGENDA/ORDER OF BUSINESS.
3.PUBLIC INPUT SESSION (8:45 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.)
4.MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING:
4.1 Council –March 14,2019
5.COMMITTEE REPORTS:
5.1 Committee of the Whole –March 21, 2019 –Warden Webber
(approval of motions only)
a)First Notice -Amendment of Procurement Policy P-04 –Appendix 3 -
5.2 Recreation and Parks Committee –March 18, 2019 –Councillor Hector
(approval of motion only)
5.3 Committee of the Whole –March 7,2019 –Warden Webber
(receive minutes only)
5.4 Recreation and Parks Committee –February 4, 2019 –Councillor Hector
(receive minutes only)
5.5 REMO Advisory Committee –March 18, 2019 –Deputy Warden Shatford
(for information only)
5.6 Any other Committees.
6.MATTERS ARISING.
7.CORRESPONDENCE:
7.1 Request for Decision prepared by Recreation and Parks Department dated March
21, 2019 regarding Sherbrooke Lake Stewardship Committee Update.
Schedule of Routine Procurement Activities. (Second and Final Notice –
Council Meeting on April 11, 2019)
Page 2 of 2
a)Presentation from Sherbrooke Lake Stewardship Committee regarding
Sherbrooke Lake 2018 Field Season Summary.(appointment at 9:15 a.m.)
b)Letter of thanks from Garth Bangay, Chair of the Sherbrooke Lake
Stewardship Committee regarding Council’s continued support and report
of the results of the 2018 quality baseline sampling program on
Sherbrooke Lake. The following documents have been submitted for
information and action:
1.A two-page summary of the results of the 2018 sampling program;
2.A technical support document including detailed results and
8.NEW BUSINESS:
9.IN CAMERA.
APPOINTMENTS
9:15 a.m.Sherbrooke Lake Stewardship Committee regarding Sherbrooke Lake 2018 Field
Season Summary.
analysis;
3. A communications plan for reaching the public; and
4. A proposed budget for the 2019 sampling program.
10. ADJOURNMENT.
Page 1 of 2
MOTIONS REQUIRING APPROVAL OF COUNCIL
FROM MARCH 21, 2019 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
2019-117 APPROVAL OF AGENDA/ORDER OF BUSINESS AS AMENDED
2019-118 APPROVAL OF MARCH 7, 2019 MINUTES OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
2019-119 BROADBAND PROJECTS
MOVED by Councillor Assaff, SECONDED by Councillor Hector that the Committee of the Whole
recommend to Council to accept the following:
Take a pause on leading new broadband projects until Develop Nova Scotia provides more
direction on how they want to work with municipalities.
Continue to work on as an In Camera negotiation the Connect to Innovate Program and move
forward with negotiations for this project as it was led by the federal government.
CARRIED.
2019-120 APPROVE REMO BUDGET FOR 2019/20
MOVED by Deputy Warden Shatford, SECONDED by Councillor Barkhouse that the Committee of the
Whole recommend to Council approval of the REMO Budget for the fiscal year 2019/20 in the amount
$32,146.02. CARRIED.
2019-121 CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (COST OF LIVING) – 2.2%
MOVED by Councillor Assaff, SECONDED by Councillor Church that the Committee of the Whole
recommend to Council the approval of 2.2% Consumer Price Index (cost of living) to the Employee
Salary Band and to Council Salaries effective April 1, 2019.
2019-122 COUNCIL DISTRICT GRANTS
MOVED by Councillor Connors, SECONDED by Councillor Barkhouse that the Committee of the Whole
recommend to Council the following Council District Grants:
District 3 – Chester Municipal Heritage Society - $727.00
District 6 – Charing Cross Garden Club - $400.00
District 6 – New ross Regional Development Society - $2,100
CARRIED.
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2019-123 CONSULTING ENGINEERING SERVICES
MOVED by Councillor Hector, SECONDED by Councillor Barkhouse that the Committee of the Whole
recommend to Council to:
1) Draft a single Request for Expression of Interest (REI) for Consulting Engineering Services
for a period of three (3) years, that will pre-qualify up to three (3) consultants and two (2)
special vendors for Public Works projects only, and the REI be presented to Council prior
to issuance for approval;
2) Issue Request for Proposals for Consulting Engineering Services related to projects
outside of the scope of the REI (i.e. landfill projects) on an as required basis, as per
procurement policy.
CARRIED.
2019-124 IN CAMERA AS PER SECTION 22(2)(C) OF THE MGA – PERSONNEL MATTER.
2019-125 SLUDGE REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL SERVICES – REJECT SUBMISSIONS, AMEND
POLICY P-04 PROCUREMENT POLICY TO CHANGE LENGTH OF TERM, DIRECTION
TO STAFF TO RESEARCH THE USE OF SHADOW BIDS
MOVED by Councillor Barkhouse, SECONDED by Councillor Church that the Committee of the Whole
recommend to Council to:
1. Reject the tender submissions received for MODC-T-2019-001 Sludge Removal and
Disposal Services based on the submissions significantly exceeding the proposed
amount budgeted.
2. Council agree to amend Appendix 3, of P-04, Routine Procurement Policy (attached),
Schedule of Routine Procurement Activities as follows:
a. Remove “Sludge Removal and Disposal Services” from under heading “Every 3
years”
b. Add “Sludge Removal and Disposal Services” from under heading “Every 5 years”.
3. Issue a Request for Standing Offer for “Sludge Removal & Disposal Services and Vacuum
Truck Support” for a period of five (5) years.
4. Direct staff to research the use of a “shadow bid” from the Municipality of the District of
Chester.
CARRIED.
2019-126 TERM POSITION FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
MOVED by Councillor Assaff, SECONDED by Councillor Church that the Committee of the Whole
recommend to Council to approve an 18-month term position for an Economic Development Officer
beginning in May 2019 with an overall budget impact of approximately $30,000 split between fiscal year
2019/20 and 2020/21. CARRIED.
2019-127 ADJOURNMENT
DRAFT – Amendment Appendix 3 to move Sludge Removal and Disposal Services
from 3 Years to 5 Years. (See Schedule 3 on Page 15 of this policy document)
Municipality of the District of Chester
Procurement Policy
Policy P-04
Amended - Effective Date:
Procurement Policy P-04 (continued)
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Notice of Amendment – Committee of the Whole – March 21, 2019 (2019-123) 2
1st Notice – Council – March 28, 2019
2nd Notice – Council – April 11, 2019
Effective Date – April 11, 2019
Table of Contents
1.0 Purpose and Objectives ......................................................................................................................................................... 3
2.0 Definitions ................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
3.0 Application .................................................................................................................................................................................. 5
4.0 Directives ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
5.0 Alternative Procurement Practices ..................................................................................................................................... 7
6.0 Bid Opening, Evaluation, and Award ................................................................................................................................ 7
7.0 Fair Treatment for Nova Scotia Suppliers ....................................................................................................................... 8
8.0 Other Considerations .............................................................................................................................................................. 8
9.0 Obligations under the Public Procurement Act............................................................................................................ 9
10.0 Amendments......................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Appendix 1 ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 11
Appendix 2 ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
Appendix 3 ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 15
Procurement Policy P-04 (continued)
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Notice of Amendment – Committee of the Whole – March 21, 2019 (2019-123) 3
1st Notice – Council – March 28, 2019
2nd Notice – Council – April 11, 2019
Effective Date – April 11, 2019
1.0 Purpose and Objectives
The Municipality of the District of Chester (Municipality) is committed to acquiring goods and
services on a competitive basis to ensure that best value is received for our taxpayers and that
procurement opportunities are handled in a transparent, accessible and equitable manner.
The Municipality is committed to:
• Providing for the procurement of goods, services, construction and facilities in a fair, open,
consistent, and transparent manner resulting in best value;
• Encouraging competition, innovative ideas and solutions, while respecting all Legislative
and Trade Agreement obligations;
• Promoting sustainable procurement in procurement decisions, including identifying and
exploring opportunities to work with and support social enterprises and businesses that
are owned by and who employ under-represented populations;
• Ensuring that qualified suppliers have equal opportunity to bid on the Municipality’s
procurement activity;
• Being accountable for procurement decisions.
2.0 Definitions
For the purposes of this policy, the following definitions are provided:
Atlantic Standard Terms & Conditions
Standard instructions that support public tenders issued by the four Atlantic provinces for
goods and services. Supplements may be added if and when required.
Best Value
Evaluating bids not only on purchase price and life cycle cost considerations, but also
taking into account items such as environmental and social considerations, delivery,
servicing, and the capacity of the supplier to meet other criteria as stated in the tender
documents.
Bid
A supplier response to a public tender notice to provides goods, services, construction or
facilities.
Construction
Procurement Policy P-04 (continued)
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Notice of Amendment – Committee of the Whole – March 21, 2019 (2019-123) 4
1st Notice – Council – March 28, 2019
2nd Notice – Council – April 11, 2019
Effective Date – April 11, 2019
The construction, reconstruction, demolition, repair, or renovation of a building, structure,
road or other engineering or architectural work, excluding the professional consulting
services related to the construction contract unless they are included in the procurement.
Construction Contract Guidelines
Standard instructions developed in consultation with the Construction Association of Nova
Scotia that support construction tenders.
Goods
Materials, furniture, merchandise, equipment, stationery, and other supplies required by
the Municipality for the transaction of its business and affairs and includes services that
are incidental to the provision of such supplies.
Facilities (also referred to as Building Leases)
All building lease requirements covering the conveyance of the right to use tangible
building property for a specified period of time in return for rent.
Procurement Advisory Group
The advisory group established by the Public Procurement Act to provide advice and
recommendations to advance the outcomes of the Act.
Procurement Activity
The acquisition of all goods, services, construction, or facilities procured by purchase,
contract, lease, or long-term rental.
Procurement Value
The value of the total contract excluding taxes but including all options whether exercised
or not. For Facilities this value is determined by the monthly lease/rent times the term of
the contract.
Procurement Web Portal
The public website maintained by the Province where all public tender notices are posted.
Public Advertisement
Advertising a public tender notice on the procurement web portal.
Public Procurement Act (PPA)
An Act outlining the rules related to the procurement activity of all public sector entities
in the Province of Nova Scotia.
Public Tender
Procurement for goods, services, construction, or facilities obtained through public
advertisement.
Procurement Policy P-04 (continued)
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Notice of Amendment – Committee of the Whole – March 21, 2019 (2019-123) 5
1st Notice – Council – March 28, 2019
2nd Notice – Council – April 11, 2019
Effective Date – April 11, 2019
Public Tender Notice
Notice of intended procurement for goods, services, construction, or facilities obtained
through public advertisement.
Services
Services required by the Municipality for the transaction of its business and affairs,
excluding services provided by an employee through a personal services contract.
Standing Offer
A standing offer is a contractual arrangement with a supplier to provide certain goods or
services on an ‘as required’ basis, during a particular period of time, at a predetermined
price or discount, generally within a predefined dollar limit.
Sustainable Procurement
Sustainable Procurement involves taking a holistic approach to obtain best value. This will
be done by integrating the following considerations in the procurement process:
Environmental considerations: e.g. Green House Gas Reduction, Waste Reduction,
Toxic Use Reduction
Economic considerations: e.g. Life Cycle Cost, Fiscal Responsibility, Support for the
Local Economy
Social considerations: e.g. Employee Health and Safety, Inclusiveness and Fair
Wage, Health Promotion.
3.0 Application
This policy applies to all procurement activity of the Municipality effective June 1, 2012.
The Chief Administrative Officer of the Municipality is responsible for ensuring compliance with
this policy.
All Municipal personnel who have responsibility for the procurement of goods, services,
construction, or facilities must adhere to this policy. Failure to adhere may result in a temporary
or permanent loss of procurement privileges or in more extreme cases result in disciplinary action
and/or dismissal.
4.0 Directives
4.1 Low Value Procurement
• Goods up to and including $ 25,000
• Services up to and including $ 50,000
• Facilities up to and including $ 50,000
Procurement Policy P-04 (continued)
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Notice of Amendment – Committee of the Whole – March 21, 2019 (2019-123) 6
1st Notice – Council – March 28, 2019
2nd Notice – Council – April 11, 2019
Effective Date – April 11, 2019
• Construction up to and including $ 100,000
For all low value procurement activity with a procurement value as outlined above (excluding
taxes), Municipal personnel are expected to, as far as practicable, attempt to obtain at least three
quotes and recommend award to the supplier offering best value. The only exception to this would
be when the Municipal personnel are using Alternative Procurement Practices as outlined in
section 5.0 of this Policy, or are accessing a publicly tendered standing offer. Where increased
competition is appropriate, Municipal personnel may choose to publicly tender for goods,
services, construction or facilities that fall within the above thresholds.
When selecting the list of suppliers to be provided the opportunity to quote, Municipal personnel
will make every effort to ensure a fair and open process is followed. While Municipal personnel
are expected to invite only qualified suppliers, they are not to consistently invite bids from only
one or a select group of suppliers. Invitations and bidding opportunities are to be equitably
distributed among all potential bidders in an area, and all interested and qualified suppliers are
to be evaluated on a consistent and equitable basis. The evaluation criteria will be determined
prior to soliciting quotations, and will include various elements to allow for the determination of
best value. For low value procurement activity, the evaluation criteria may also include a
preferential component for local suppliers.
For all low value procurement, the Chief Administrative Officer is authorized to award to the
supplier offering best value for all contracts under the amounts listed above in value, in any one
case, provided that the expenditure is included in the approved budget allocation. An information
report will be provided to Council for all expenditures that fall between $10,000 and the amounts
noted above. Approval of the Council of the Municipality will be required for all purchases of
goods, services and construction that exceed the above noted values or which are not included in
the approved budget allocation.
4.2 High Value Procurement:
• Goods over $ 25,000
• Services over $ 50,000
• Facilities over $ 50,000
• Construction over $ 100,000
All procurement activity with a procurement value over the thresholds (excluding taxes) outlined
above must be obtained through a public tender. See appendix 2 of this Policy for an outline of
the various tools that can be used for public tender. The only exception to this would be when
Municipal personnel are using an Alternative Procurement Practices as outlined in section 5.0 of
this policy, or is accessing a publicly tendered standing offer. All public tender opportunities must
be posted on the Province of Nova Scotia Procurement Web Portal. Municipal personnel may,
where appropriate, also advertise in local, provincial, or national media; however, there is no
Procurement Policy P-04 (continued)
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Notice of Amendment – Committee of the Whole – March 21, 2019 (2019-123) 7
1st Notice – Council – March 28, 2019
2nd Notice – Council – April 11, 2019
Effective Date – April 11, 2019
obligation to do so. In addition, a notice of tender opportunity may be sent to selected suppliers
where required to ensure an adequate degree of competition.
4.3 Schedule for Routine Procurement
Ongoing service-related contracts with the Municipality will be routinely tendered in accordance
with this Policy as outlined in Appendix 3.
5.0 Alternative Procurement Practices
In order to balance the need for open, competitive process with the demands of urgent or
specialized circumstances, Alternative Procurement Circumstances have been developed. These
circumstances must be used only for the purposes intended and not to avoid competition or used
to discriminate against specific suppliers. To ensure appropriate use, each circumstance must be
documented by Municipal personnel stating the rationale permitting the Alternative Procurement
Circumstance, and signed by the Chief Administrative Officer. All documents must be filed and
maintained for audit purposes. See Appendix 1 for a list of the Alternative Procurement
circumstances, as well as further requirements on documentation.
6.0 Bid Opening, Evaluation, and Award
6.1 Bid Opening
Bids are accepted in accordance with the closing time, date, and place stipulated in the bid request
documents. Members of the public may receive the list of bidders electronically after bid opening.
6.2 Bid Evaluation
All bids are subject to evaluation after opening and before award of contract. The bid request
documents must clearly identify the requirements of the procurement, the evaluation method,
evaluation criteria based on the purpose and objectives of this policy, and the weights assigned
to each criterion.
6.3 Award
The winning bidder and contract award amount for all high value procurement activity must be
posted on the Province of Nova Scotia’s Procurement Web Portal. After contracts have been
awarded, routine access to information at the vendors request shall be provided in the following
areas:
• Bidders list
• Name of winning bidder
• Award price excluding taxes of the winning bidder
Procurement Policy P-04 (continued)
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Notice of Amendment – Committee of the Whole – March 21, 2019 (2019-123) 8
1st Notice – Council – March 28, 2019
2nd Notice – Council – April 11, 2019
Effective Date – April 11, 2019
If the tender is not awarded for any permissible reason, all bidders will be informed of the decision.
Should the project be re-tendered at a future date, all bidders will be contacted to re-submit a
bid at their discretion.
Access to tender documents or other proprietary information is subject to the provisions of the
Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
6.4 Supplier Debriefing
At the request of a supplier who submitted a bid, Municipal personnel will conduct a supplier
debriefing session to provide feedback on the evaluation of the public tender. Suppliers can find
out how their proposal scored against published criteria, obtain comments on their bid, and
gather information on how future bids may be improved. Supplier’s bids are not compared to
other bids, nor will information on other bids be provided.
6.5 Supplier Complaint Process (SCP)
When a supplier is not satisfied with the information provided in a supplier debriefing, the supplier
may file a complaint in accordance with the Supplier Complaint Process as defined in the Public
Procurement Act. The SCP is not a dispute resolution process, but rather is intended to handle
supplier complaints and to improve faulty or misleading procurement processes. The SCP is an
integral part of a fair and open procurement policy.
7.0 Fair Treatment for Nova Scotia Suppliers
The preference is to give preference to local (our Municipality) unless otherwise directed by
council for Low Value Procurement. Preference will be given by applying a 5% bonus to bidders
located within the Municipality. This preference will be clearly communicated as part of each
procurement procedure.
8.0 Other Considerations
8.1 Cooperative Procurement
Municipal personnel are encouraged to look for opportunities to collaborate with government
agencies when the arrangement may result in overall cost savings or other substantial advantages.
For example, joint procurement may be appropriate to procure commonly used goods, services,
fuel oil, natural gas, telecommunications, etc.
8.2 Standing Offers
Municipal personnel may access all Province of Nova Scotia standing offers, as well as any
standing offer established through the Procurement Advisory Group for the Province should
Municipal personnel wish to make use of the savings opportunities. Standing offers can be used
up to $25,000 per project for goods, or $100,000 per project for services. For consulting services,
Procurement Policy P-04 (continued)
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Notice of Amendment – Committee of the Whole – March 21, 2019 (2019-123) 9
1st Notice – Council – March 28, 2019
2nd Notice – Council – April 11, 2019
Effective Date – April 11, 2019
Municipal personnel should prepare a Statement of Work and obtain 3 quotes from vendors on
the standing offer.
9.0 Obligations under the Public Procurement Act
In addition to the areas already covered by this Policy, the following are additional obligations of
the Public Procurement Act that the Municipal personnel are required to adhere to with their
Procurement practices.
9.1 Terms and Conditions
Every public tender notice must include or have attached the terms and conditions that govern
the purchase of goods, services, construction, or facilities. The terms and conditions of every public
tender notice must be consistent with the Atlantic Standard Terms and Conditions for the
procurement of goods, services, or facilities and the Construction Contract Guidelines developed
in collaboration with the Construction Association of Nova Scotia for the procurement of
construction.
9.2 Posting Tender Notices and Awards
All opportunities subject to a public tender must be advertised on the Province of Nova Scotia
Procurement Web Portal. The Municipality must also post on the Procurement Web Portal the
name of the successful bidder for the public tender and the contract amount awarded.
9.3 Code of Ethics
Municipal and board members must ensure their conduct in relation to procurement activity is
consistent with the “Duties of public sector entity employees” in the Public Procurement Act. This
includes a request for removal from a procurement activity when a personal conflict of interest is
perceived.
9.4 Other
Policy Posting
The Municipal Clerk personnel will ensure this policy is posted on the Municipality web
site.
Supplier Development Activities
Municipal will make every attempt where appropriate to participate in vendor outreach
activities as requested by the Procurement Governance Secretariat
Regulations
Municipal will make sure that procurement practices remain consistent with any
regulations that are adopted under the Public Procurement Act.
Procurement Policy P-04 (continued)
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Notice of Amendment – Committee of the Whole – March 21, 2019 (2019-123) 10
1st Notice – Council – March 28, 2019
2nd Notice – Council – April 11, 2019
Effective Date – April 11, 2019
10.0 Amendments
This policy may be amended from time to time with the approval of the Municipal Council. Such
amendments will be communicated to the public on the Municipal website.
Procurement Policy P-04 (continued)
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Notice of Amendment – Committee of the Whole – March 21, 2019 (2019-123) 11
1st Notice – Council – March 28, 2019
2nd Notice – Council – April 11, 2019
Effective Date – April 11, 2019
Appendix 1
Alternative Procurement Approval, Consultation, and Reporting Process
Low Value:
Municipal personnel wishing to make use of a low value alternative procurement practice
(with the exception of an emergency) must consult with the Chief Administrative Officer
to obtain approval and identify the most appropriate means by which to proceed with the
satisfaction of the requirement. If in agreement, the Chief Administrative Officer may direct
Municipal personnel to proceed with the procurement. The Chief Administrative Officer
may wish to confer with provincial government procurement officials for discussion,
validation, and or alternative options.
High Value:
Municipal personnel wishing to make use of a high value alternative procurement practice
(with the exception of an emergency) must consult with the Municipal Council to obtain
approval and identify the most appropriate means by which to proceed with the
satisfaction of the requirement. If in agreement, the Municipal Council may direct
Municipal to proceed with the procurement. The Chief Administrative Officer may wish to
confer with provincial government procurement officials for discussion, validation, and or
alternative options.
Alternative Procurement Circumstances
A. No Threshold Restrictions
Municipal personnel may use the following Alternative Procurement practices as
described below for the procurement of goods, services, construction or facilities, with
no threshold restrictions:
1. Where an unforeseeable situation of urgency exists and the goods, services, or
construction cannot be obtained in time by means of open procurement
procedures. Entities must ensure inadequate planning does not lead to
inappropriate use of this exemption.
2. Where goods or consulting services regarding matters of a confidential or
privileged nature are to be purchased and the disclosure of those matters through
an open tendering process could reasonably be expected to compromise
government confidentiality, cause economic disruption, or otherwise be contrary
to the public interest.
Procurement Policy P-04 (continued)
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Notice of Amendment – Committee of the Whole – March 21, 2019 (2019-123) 12
1st Notice – Council – March 28, 2019
2nd Notice – Council – April 11, 2019
Effective Date – April 11, 2019
3. Where compliance with the open tendering provisions set out in this Chapter
would interfere with a Party's ability to maintain security or order, or to protect
human, animal, or plant life or health.
4. In the absence of tenders in response to an open or selective tender, or when the
tenders submitted have been collusive, or not in conformity with the essential
requirements in the tender.
5. To ensure compatibility with existing products, to recognize exclusive rights, such
as exclusive licenses, copyright, and patent rights, or to maintain specialized
products that must be maintained by the manufacturer or its representative.
6. Where there is an absence of competition for technical reasons and the goods or
services can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no alternative or
substitute exists.
7. For the procurement of goods or services the supply of which is controlled by a
supplier that is a statutory monopoly.
8. For the purchase of goods on a commodity market.
9. For work to be performed on or about a leased building or portions thereof that
may be performed only by the lessor.
10. For work to be performed on property by a contractor according to provisions of
a warranty or guarantee held in respect of the property or the original work.
11. For the procurement of a prototype or a first good or service to be developed in
the course of and for a particular contract for research, experiment, study or
original development, but not for any subsequent purchases.
12. For the purchase of goods under exceptionally advantageous circumstances such
as bankruptcy or receivership, but not for routine purchases.
13. For the procurement of original works of art.
14. For the procurement of subscriptions to newspapers, magazines, or other
periodicals.
15. For the procurement of real property.
16. For the procurement of goods intended for resale to the public.
Procurement Policy P-04 (continued)
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Notice of Amendment – Committee of the Whole – March 21, 2019 (2019-123) 13
1st Notice – Council – March 28, 2019
2nd Notice – Council – April 11, 2019
Effective Date – April 11, 2019
17. For the procurement from philanthropic institutions, prison labour, persons with
disabilities, sheltered workshop programs, or through employment equity
programs.
18. For the procurement from a public body or a non-profit organization.
19. For the procurement of services of expert witnesses, specifically in anticipation of
litigation or for the purpose of conducting litigation
Appendix 2
Below is an outline of the tools to be used when issuing a public tender:
Request for Proposal (RFP)
Used when a supplier is invited to propose a solution to a problem, requirement, or
objective. Suppliers are requested to submit detailed proposals (bids) in accordance with
predefined evaluation criteria. The selection of the successful proposal is based on the
effectiveness, value, and price of the proposed solution. Negotiations with suppliers may
be required to finalize any aspect of the requirement.
Request for Construction (RFC)
Used to publicly tender for a construction, reconstruction, demolition, remediation, repair,
or renovation of a building, structure, road, bridge, or other engineering or architectural
work. When a supplier is invited to bid on a construction project the tender documents
usually contain a set of terms and conditions and separate bid form that apply to that
specific project. Suppliers are requested to submit a response (bid) in accordance with
predefined criteria. The selection of the successful proposal is based on a number of
factors as described in the tender documents. A request for construction usually does not
include professional consulting services related to the construction contract, unless they
are included in the specifications.
Request for Quotation (RFQ)
A request for quotation on goods or products with a minimum specification. Award is
usually made based on the lowest price meeting the specification. An RFQ does not
normally but may sometimes include evaluation criteria.
Request for Standing Offer (RSO)
A public tender to provide commonly used goods or services. The term of the standing
offer can vary in duration but will be clearly defined in the tender documents. RSO’s may
include evaluation criteria depending on the requirement.
Request for Expression of Interest (REI)
Procurement Policy P-04 (continued)
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Notice of Amendment – Committee of the Whole – March 21, 2019 (2019-123) 14
1st Notice – Council – March 28, 2019
2nd Notice – Council – April 11, 2019
Effective Date – April 11, 2019
The Request for the Expression of Interest is similar to the Request for Proposal and is
sometimes referred to as a Pre-Qualification, where suppliers are invited to propose a
solution to a problem. The REI, however, is only the first stage in the procurement process.
Bidders responding to the REI will be short listed according to their scoring in the
evaluation process. The short-listed firms will then be invited to respond to a subsequent
Request for Proposal. A REI does not normally include pricing as price as a key evaluation
criteria used in the second stage RFP process.
Procurement Policy P-04 (continued)
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Notice of Amendment – Committee of the Whole – March 21, 2019 (2019-123) 15
1st Notice – Council – March 28, 2019
2nd Notice – Council – April 11, 2019
Effective Date – April 11, 2019
Appendix 3
Schedule of Routine Procurement Activities
Every 5 years
Animal Control
Sewer Repair
Sludge Removal and Disposal Services – Add
Waste Collection
Wood Grinding/Chipping
Every 3 years
Derelict Vehicle Collection
Engineering Services
Flagging
HHW Services
Printing Services – commencing April 1, 2013
Snow Removal
Vehicle Repair
Banking Services
Surveying Services
Sludge Removal and Disposal Services Remove and add to Every 5 Year listing
Every 2 years
Paper Shredding
Salting
Annually
Courier Services
Heating and Air Conditioning
Heavy Equipment Services
Trail Work
At the Discretion of Council
Auditing Services
Legal Services
Procurement Policy P-04 (continued)
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Notice of Amendment – Committee of the Whole – March 21, 2019 (2019-123) 16
1st Notice – Council – March 28, 2019
2nd Notice – Council – April 11, 2019
Effective Date – April 11, 2019
Annotation for Official Policy Book
Notice of Intention to Adopt/Amend
Committee of the Whole (2109-123)
March 21, 2019
Date of First Notice at Council
Council
March 28
Date of Second Notice at Council
Effective Date
I certify that this Policy was amended by Council as indicated above.
_______________________________________
Pamela M. Myra, Municipal Clerk Date
Procurement Policy P-04 (continued)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Notice of Amendment – Committee of the Whole – March 21, 2019 (2019-123) 17
1st Notice – Council – March 28, 2019
2nd Notice – Council – April 11, 2019
Effective Date – April 11, 2019
ADOPTION/AMENDMENT INFORMATION
Date Reason for Adoption/Amendment
2014
Amendment
To include consideration for local preference and low threshold value and
inclusion of 20% value for local (Municipal submissions)
2015
Amendment
To change the low threshold value from 20% to 5% for local preference.
2016
Amendment
Amendments to Appendix 3 – change in length of terms for Engineering
Services, Auditing Services, and Legal Services
2018
Amendment
Amendment to Appendix 3 – add Sludge Removal and Disposal Services to
be renewed every three (3) years.
2019
Amendment
Amendment to Appendix 3 to:
Remove “Sludge Removal and Disposal Services” from under
heading “Every 3 years”
Add “Sludge Removal and Disposal Services” from under
heading “Every 5 years”.
5.2
MOTION FOR COUNCIL’S CONSIDERATION FROM
MONDAY,MARCH 18, 2019
RECREATION AND PARKS COMMITTEE
2019-115 YOUTH SPONSORSHIP APPLICATION FOR TAYLOUR STEVENS
MOVED by Brad Armstrong, SECONDED by Leslie Taylor, that the Recreation Committee recommend to
Council that we give Taylour Stevens of Chester $1000.00 for her participation in the U18 Canadian
Nationals in Sherwood Park, AB from April 1 to 8. MOTION CARRIED.
REQUEST FOR DECISION
Prepared By:Chad Haughn Date March 21, 2019
Reviewed By:Dan McDougall, CAO Date March 20, 2019
Authorized By:Dan McDougall, CAO Date March 20, 2019
CURRENT SITUATION
The Sherbrooke Lake Stewardship Committee has implemented the water quality monitoring
program for 2018 and the results have been analyzed and are being presented to both the
Municipality of the District of Lunenburg (MODL)and Municipality of Chester (MOC)Councils.
In addition to the results, the committee is presenting a proposed budget for 2019 as well as a
communications plan.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that Council accept the 2018 Sherbrooke Lake Water Quality Monitoring
Report,that $7,000 is budgeted for 2019-20 and that our Communications officer assist with
sharing the information with the public.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of the monitoring program is to gather baseline data on the water quality of
Sherbrooke Lake to aid in evidence-based decision making related to the development of the
park.A group of trained volunteers conducted regular testing from May to October and Coastal
Action provided technical support to the group.The Committee is made up of representatives
from both Municipalities as outlined in the Terms of Reference.
RESULTS
Overall, the results of the 2018 monitoring program show that the lake is healthy.There is a
note in the report that indicates the water quality is vulnerable to human activity such as
shoreline development and activity on and around the lake. For this reason,it is important to
inform the public on ways to help protect Sherbrooke Lake and keep it healthy.
BUDGET
The Committee has proposed a budget of $22,272 to fund the 2019 monitoring activity. The
Sherbrooke Lake MOU with MODL outlines a maximum annual financial contribution from MOC
at $7,000.MOC contributed $7,000 to the project in 2018 and the same amount is being
requested for 2019.MODL will cover the remaining costs.
REPORT TO:Municipal Council
SUBMITTED BY:Chad Haughn,Recreation & Parks Dept.
DATE:March 28, 2019
SUBJECT:Sherbrooke Lake Stewardship
Committee Update
ORIGIN:Sherbrooke Lake Park Project
Sherbrooke Lake Stewardship Committee and Coastal Action
March 2019
Sherbrooke Lake 2018 Field Season
Summary
To establish a baseline to aid in the
evidence-based decisions concerning
development of properties acquired
by MODL for public use
Purpose
Purpose and
Program Review
•2 teams of volunteers for
sampling
•3 (now 4) monthly lake
sites
•2 summer lake chlorophyll
A sites
•4 bimonthly stream sites
•7 rainfall stream sites
•3 sediment sites
Water Quality –
Nutrients
•Observed higher concentrations of
nutrients in inlet streams than lakes –
with increases during rainfall events
•Lake 1 did not have a difference in
phosphorus and nitrogen surface vs.
depth
•Lake 2 saw increased nutrients at depth
•Increased nutrients means that during
fall turnover, these nutrients can cause
surface enrichment
Enrichment = Bloom
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
500
Fecal Coliform (CFU/100 mL)Lake 1 Lake 2 Lake 3 Lake 4
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
500
Fecal Coliform (CFU/100 mL)Sherbrooke Outlet Forties River Pine Lake Brook Zwicker Brook
Butler Lake Brook Gully River Peter Veinot Brook
Water Quality –
Fecal Bacteria and Hydrocarbons
•No lake site had detectable amounts of hydrocarbons
•No sites never exceeded primary recreational contact guidelines
(400 CFU/100 mL –Health Canada)
•Bacteria increased during rainfall at stream sites
Lake Sites’ Bacteria Stream Sites’ Bacteria
Sediment
•Arsenic and Cadmium
problems in lake
sediment
•Lead and Mercury a
problem at Lake 2
•Sediment may affect
aquatic life in future –
should be monitored
Sherbrooke Lake Trophic State
•Trophic State Index (TSI) used for multi-
year comparison of health of lakes
•Sherbrooke is borderline oligotrophic -
mesotrophic
*Averages used to calculate 2018 TSI; Total Phosphorus,Chl-A in ug/L, SD in
meters
TSI Score Trophic State Phosphorus Chlorophyll A Secchi Disk
< 40 Oligotrophic 33.3 28.6
40-50 Mesotrophic 42.3 40.7 48.6 47.38
> 50 Eutrophic
*Averages used to calculate 2018 TSI; Total Phosphorus,Chl-A in ug/L, SD in
meters
Lake 1 Lake 2
Stewardship Committee
Update
2018 Sampling Program
was completed
effectively using
volunteers as planned,
with training and support
provided by Coastal
Action.
A 39 page detailed report
has been prepared as
well as a two page
summary.
The 2018 sampling program
indicated that the lake is healthy
but remains vulnerable to the
addition of nutrients and fecal
bacteria from its tributaries and
increased shoreline development
and use.
The results support continued
development of the public
access site consistent with the
current development plan.
Stewardship Committee
Communications Plan
A communications plan has been prepared with the support
of Municipal staff. Key elements of the plan are to:
Make the full and summary reports available at the Municipal web
sites.
Distribute the summary report via email to the email list of Lake
stakeholders developed during Public Access stakeholder outreach
process.
Host a public open house.
Post copies of the summary report at selected locations.
Council approval is sought to proceed with the
implementation of the communications plan and public
release of the two reports as submitted.
Stewardship Committee 2019
Budget Proposal
The requested budget for the 2019 sampling program is $22,300.
Expenditure Cost Breakdown Total Cost
Sediment sampling at 4 sites $520.80 per site x 4 sites $2,083.20
Nutrient sampling for depth profiles at 2 sites $86.15 per site x 2 sites $172.30
Rainfall-dependent sampling at 7 inlet streams $178.60 per site x 7 sites $1,250.20
Potential Cyanobacteria Toxin Testing $131.00 per sample
X 2 possible events
$262.00
6 monthly sampling events at 4 lake sites and 4 bi-
monthly inlet streams
Inlet streams: $178.60 per site x 4 sites (+ 2 field
replicates for QA/QC)
X 3 monthly sampling events
Lake sites: 178.60 per site x 3 sites (+ 2 field replicates for
QA/QC)
Additional bacteria-only lake site: $51.20 per site x 1 site
X 6 monthly sampling events
$8,880.00
Rain Gauge and Batteries $249.99/unit + $20/batteries $269.99
Coastal Action Management $100/Meeting, $250/day for Open House and
Volunteer Training, $250/Day for Report and
Booklet, and $250/day for Project Management
$6,450.00
Sub-total $19,367.69
15% HST (HST #: 14067 2106 RT 0001)$2,905.15
Total $22,272.84
Stewardship Committee 2019
Budget Proposal
As was the case in 2018, the use of volunteers provides a saving of roughly
$9,000. Volunteer input also has the benefit of improving community ownership
of the water quality monitoring program and Lake stewardship generally.
The Committee is proposing that the program operate essentially as executed
in 2018 but with minor changes based on the advice of Coastal Action.
The changes will enable the desired and planned compilation of a baseline of
water quality data over the 2018 –2022 period.
Council approval is sought for the noted budget in order to proceed
with the 2019 program and continued compilation of baseline data.
To: Councils of Chester and MODL
Re: Report of the results of the 2018 water quality baseline sampling program on
Sherbrooke Lake.
The Sherbrooke Lake Stewardship Committee has completed the first year of a five -
year water quality sampling program which will establish a baseline of knowledge
concerning water quality conditions in the Sherbrooke Lake. This baseline knowledge
will allow Councils and the public to assess the importance and possible sources of
changes to the lake’s water quality. It has been a challenging first year, as we planned
and implemented our first successful field season. Our work has been substantially
assisted by the staff of Coastal Action both in the training of volunteers and analysis of
results. We respectfully submit the following documents for information an d action:
1) A two-page summary of the results of the 2018 sampling program,
2) A technical support document including detailed results and analysis,
3) A communications plan for reaching the public,
4) A proposed budget for the 2019 sampling program.
Thank you for your continued support, Garth Bangay, Chair of the Sherbrooke Lake
Stewardship Committee
Coastal Action l 37 Tannery Road l Lunenburg, Nova Scotia l B0J 2C0 l phone (902) 634-9977 l www.coastalaction.org
Sherbrooke Lake’s 2018 Water Quality Report
Sherbrooke Lake is the largest waterbody in the LaHave River watershed.
It covers 16.94 km2, has a drainage basin of 285 km2, and is fed by 14
inlet streams. Sherbrooke Lake’s drainage basin is used for forestry,
silviculture, and agriculture, with cottage development and rural
communities concentrated around the lake.
Sherbrooke Lake Sampling
A group of trained volunteers, comprised of property-owners around
the lake, take field measurements and water samples each month, from
May-October. Water samples are collected from lake and stream sites
and tested for total suspended solids, total nitrogen, total phosphorus,
fecal coliform, hydrocarbons, and chlorophyll A. Four streams are
monitored bimonthly, while seven streams around the lake are tested
after a large rain event to monitor for water quality changes related to
high runoff events. Bottom sediment samples are also collected at two
lake sites and one river site, to assess the long-term accumulation of
nutrients and metals which can also influence the lake’s water chemistry.
How is Sherbrooke Lake’s Water Quality?
Bacteria : All lake sites are consistently below Health Canada’s 400
CFU/100 mL recreational limits for fecal coliform – the highest lake
concentration was 20 CFU/100 mL, well below the threshold. All streams
have also never exceeded Health Canada guidelines; however, bacteria
concentrations did rise close to the threshold after rainfall events (350
CFU/100 mL was recorded at Butler Lake Brook, and 320 CFU/100 mL at
Zwicker Brook, both after more than 30 mm of rain). It appears rain is
flushing bacteria into rivers from surrounding surfaces. Although it does
not appear to affect the lake quality, swimming in rivers after a rainfall
event should be avoided. Water from the lake and the rivers should
always be treated prior to consumption (i.e. bathing, washing, drinking).
Algal Blooms : Algal blooms are a part of the natural cycle in lakes but
can be enhanced in size and frequency if there are pollution sources
adding extra nutrients into the environment. In balanced environments,
algae and other organisms’ growth is limited by the amount of nutrients
available; however, if nutrients become available (both naturally through
fall and spring turnover and sediment resuspension of nutrients, or
human-caused pollution), algae can spread. Not all plumes are algae
(pollen from pine trees can form films in the water), and not all algae
are toxic; however, only a water quality test can confirm the presence/
absence of toxic algae species. No algal bloom was detected in
Sherbrooke Lake during 2018; however, there is always the possibility for
blooms in the future.
1
Monitoring of Sherbrooke Lake is led by the
Sherbrooke Lake Stewardship Committee, a
group comprised of five citizen representatives
appointed by the Municipality of Chester, and
the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg. The
group receives technical support from Coastal
Action, which is also leading the related LaHave
River watershed study which includes monitoring
of water quality at one tributary to the lake and
downstream of the lake’s output since 2007.
In 2018, the cost of the Sherbrooke Lake water
quality survey was $22,000.00, primarily for
laboratory analyses of the water samples. Both
municipalities share this funding in support of the
program to provide public access to Sherbrooke
Lake.
Sherbrooke Lake Stewardship
Figure 1: Sampling sites for the 2018 Sherbrooke Lake water
quality program.
Coastal Action l 37 Tannery Road l Lunenburg, Nova Scotia l B0J 2C0 l phone (902) 634-9977 l www.coastalaction.org
2
Overall the 2018 sampling program indicated that Sherbrooke
Lake is healthy but shows that human activity has already
impacted the lake. The current lake water quality remains
vulnerable to the addition of nutrients and fecal bacteria from
its tributaries and increased shoreline development and use. A
more detailed report on the 2018 sampling program is available
upon request or online from the Municipality of Chester and the
Municipality of the District of Lunenburg.
• chester.ca/recreation-parks/sherbrooke-lake-park
• modl.ca/sherbrookelake
Nutrients : The tributaries feeding Sherbrooke Lake have higher
nutrient concentrations than the lake; however, rainfall sampling
observed the highest peaks of nutrients, suggesting nutrients and
fertilizers are flushed off land and into the water during storms.
Currently Sherbrooke lake’s nutrient status is at the low end for
freshwater lakes. This is encouraging news, but only through
continued vigilance will that situation continue in the face of
increasing development and alteration of the lake shoreline and
watershed. Nutrient inputs from human activities should be
minimized as much as possible.
Hydrocarbons : Throughout the entire 2018 program, no site
has had detectable concentrations of hydrocarbons (carbon
compounds found in petroleum and natural gas).
Other Concerns : Two other conditions in the lake are of concern:
first, the low oxygen conditions that occur in deep bottom waters
during the summer and the implications this holds for organisms
and potential nutrient re-release from bottom sediments and
second, the elevated levels of mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and
lead in lake sediments and the implications for uptake by aquatic
biota, including fish.
Figure 2: Algal bloom washing ashore a lake’s beach.
Smspsy/Shutterstock.com.
To Reduce Nutrients and Algal Blooms: When mowing your lawn, or harvesting crops, leave a buffer zone (known
as a ‘riparian zone’) along the edge of all waterbodies. This zone will help protect the water against erosion, and filter runoff
pollutants and excess nutrients! Be mindful when buying dish soaps – some contain phosphorus which can promote algal
blooms. Do not fertilize your lawns, as those nutrients will be washed into nearby streams and into Sherbrooke Lake. If an algal
bloom occurs, inform your homeowners association president so the situation can be assessed; remember, if toxic algae are
present, their toxins can last several weeks after the bloom disappears, so be careful around the water and rinse off after contact
(including pets!).
To Reduce Fecal Bacteria: No one should discharge their sewage or grey water through a straight pipe to the lake or its
tributaries. A properly designed and maintained septic tank or approved composting system are the only effective ways which
can properly treat domestic waste (See Nova Scotia Environment for further information). Maintain and pump your septic
system regularly, keep livestock out of the water by providing them with alternative watering sources, and pick up your dog’s
waste.
To Reduce Hydrocarbons: Don’t let your boat’s motor idle – turn it off when not in use. Be cautious with fuels and
chemicals used around the house, car, and boat; be careful not to spill, and to clean up and dispose of waste properly if a spill
occurs.
To help protect the Sherbrooke Lake, and all other water bodies, it is important to remember that
you have an impact on the environment!
How Can You Help?
Figure 3: A YSI sonde with built-in sensors
used by Sherbrooke Lake volunteers to
monitor the physical properties of the water.
Figure 4: A secchi disk, which is used by
Sherbrooke Lake volunteers to determine
the clarity of the water.
Coastal Action is a community-based charitable
organization with a mandate to address
environmental concerns along the South Shore
of Nova Scotia. Coastal Action’s mission is to
restore and protect the environment through
research, education, and action.
Sherbrooke Lake
2018 Water Quality Monitoring Report
Prepared for
Municipality of Chester
Municipality of the District of Lunenburg
Sherbrooke Lake Stewardship Committee
By
Bluenose Coastal Action Foundation
37 Tannery Road, PO Box 730
Lunenburg, N.S.
B0J 2C0
December 2018
2 | Page
Table of Contents
1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 6
1.1. Sherbrooke Lake Background ....................................................................................................... 6
1.2. Program Background .................................................................................................................... 7
1.3. Objectives and Scope of Work .................................................................................................... 10
2. Water Quality Monitoring Results ...................................................................................................... 10
2.1. Physical Water Parameters ......................................................................................................... 10
2.1.1. Surface Water Temperature ............................................................................................... 10
2.1.2. Surface Dissolved Oxygen ................................................................................................... 12
2.1.3. Depth Profiles...................................................................................................................... 13
2.1.4. pH ........................................................................................................................................ 16
2.1.5. Total Dissolved Solids .......................................................................................................... 18
2.2. Chemical Water Parameters ....................................................................................................... 20
2.2.1. Total Suspended Solids ....................................................................................................... 20
2.2.2. Total Phosphorus ................................................................................................................ 22
2.2.3. Total Nitrogen ..................................................................................................................... 25
2.2.4. Hydrocarbons ...................................................................................................................... 27
2.2.5. Chlorophyll a ....................................................................................................................... 27
2.2.6. Fecal Coliform Bacteria ....................................................................................................... 28
2.3. Sediment Sampling ..................................................................................................................... 30
3. Discussion ............................................................................................................................................ 33
3.1. Trophic State of Sherbrooke Lake ............................................................................................... 33
3.2. Algal Blooms ................................................................................................................................ 35
3.3. Pollution ...................................................................................................................................... 35
4. Recommendations .............................................................................................................................. 36
5. References .......................................................................................................................................... 37
3 | Page
List of Figures
Figure 1: Left - Streams (yellow) and drainage boundary (red) of Sherbrooke Lake. Right – Bathymetry of
Sherbrooke Lake and proposed public access site (red circle). .................................................................... 6
Figure 2: Sherbrooke Lake 2018 Water Quality Monitoring Program sampling locations. .......................... 8
Figure 3: Water temperatures at four monthly lake sites (Lake 1-4), and two summer-only sites (Chl 1
and Chl 2) during the May-October 2018 SL water quality field season. ................................................... 11
Figure 4: Water temperatures at four bimonthly and rainfall-dependent stream sites (Sherbrooke River,
Forties River, Pine Lake, and Zwicker Brook), in addition to three rainfall-dependent stream sites (Butler
Lake Brook, Gully River, and Peter Veinot Brook). ..................................................................................... 11
Figure 5: DO at four monthly lake sites (Lake 1-4), and two summer-only sites (Chl 1 and Chl 2) during
the May-October 2018 SL water quality field season. ................................................................................ 12
Figure 6: DO at four bimonthly and rainfall-dependent stream sites (Sherbrooke River, Forties River, Pine
Lake, and Zwicker Brook), in addition to three rainfall-dependent stream sites (Butler Lake Brook, Gully
River, and Peter Veinot Brook). .................................................................................................................. 13
Figure 7: Water temperature depth profile from two lakes during the August 2018 sampling of SL. ....... 14
Figure 8: DO depth profile from two lake sites during the August 2018 sampling of SL. ........................... 15
Figure 9: Four common water temperature and DO depth profiles, from Hutchinson, 1957. .................. 15
Figure 10: pH at four monthly lake sites (Lake 1-4), and two summer-only sites (Chl 1 and Chl 2) during
the May-October 2018 SL water quality field season. ................................................................................ 17
Figure 11: pH at four bimonthly and rainfall-dependent stream sites (Sherbrooke River, Forties River,
Pine Lake, and Zwicker Brook), in addition to three rainfall-dependent stream sites (Butler Lake Brook,
Gully River, and Peter Veinot Brook). ......................................................................................................... 17
Figure 12: TDS at four monthly lake sites (Lake 1-4), and two summer-only sites (Chl 1 and Chl 2) during
the May-October 2018 SL water quality field season. ................................................................................ 19
Figure 13: TDS at four bimonthly and rainfall-dependent stream sites (Sherbrooke River, Forties River,
Pine Lake, and Zwicker Brook), in addition to three rainfall-dependent stream sites (Butler Lake Brook,
Gully River, and Peter Veinot Brook). ......................................................................................................... 19
Figure 14: TSS at four monthly lake sites (Lake 1-4) during the May-October 2018 SL water quality field
season. ........................................................................................................................................................ 21
Figure 15: TSS at four bimonthly and rainfall-dependent stream sites (Sherbrooke River, Forties River,
Pine Lake, and Zwicker Brook), in addition to three rainfall-dependent stream sites (Butler Lake Brook,
Gully River, and Peter Veinot Brook). ......................................................................................................... 21
Figure 16: Total phosphorus at four monthly lake sites (Lake 1-4) during the May-October 2018 SL water
quality field season. .................................................................................................................................... 23
Figure 17: Total phosphorus at four bimonthly and rainfall-dependent stream sites (Sherbrooke River,
Forties River, Pine Lake, and Zwicker Brook), in addition to three rainfall-dependent stream sites (Butler
Lake Brook, Gully River, and Peter Veinot Brook). ..................................................................................... 23
4 | Page
Figure 18: Total nitrogen at four monthly lake sites (Lake 1-4) during the May-October 2018 SL water
quality field season. .................................................................................................................................... 25
Figure 19: Total nitrogen at four bimonthly and rainfall-dependent stream sites (Sherbrooke River,
Forties River, Pine Lake, and Zwicker Brook), in addition to three rainfall-dependent stream sites (Butler
Lake Brook, Gully River, and Peter Veinot Brook). ..................................................................................... 26
Figure 20: Chlorophyll a at four monthly lake sites (Lake 1-4), and two summer-only sites (Chl 1 and Chl
2) during the May-October 2018 SL water quality field season. ................................................................ 28
Figure 21: Fecal coliform at four monthly lake sites (Lake 1-4) during the May-October 2018 SL water
quality field season. .................................................................................................................................... 29
Figure 22: Fecal coliform at four bimonthly and rainfall-dependent stream sites (Sherbrooke River,
Forties River, Pine Lake, and Zwicker Brook), in addition to three rainfall-dependent stream sites (Butler
Lake Brook, Gully River, and Peter Veinot Brook). ..................................................................................... 30
Figure 23: Carlson TSI for lakes, with TSI ranks for SL Lake 1 (red star) and Lake 2 (blue star).
Transparency determined using Secchi disk depth. From Carlson (1977). ................................................ 34
5 | Page
List of Tables
Table 1: Monitoring program parameters, site locations, and sampling frequencies for the 2018
Sherbrooke Lake Water Quality Monitoring Program. New coordinates to access river sites via road are
in blue. .......................................................................................................................................................... 9
Table 2: Mean and maximum TDS concentrations from lake and river sites during the 2018 SL field
season. ........................................................................................................................................................ 18
Table 3: Range in total phosphorus concentrations between 2017 and 2018; July-August for lake
samples, August for river samples. ............................................................................................................. 24
Table 4: Total phosphorus concentrations from two lake sites, obtained both at the surface and below
the thermocline, in August for the SL 2018 Water Quality Monitoring Program....................................... 24
Table 5: Range in total nitrogen concentrations between 2017 and 2018; July-August for lake samples,
August for river samples. ............................................................................................................................ 26
Table 6: Total nitrogen concentrations from two lake sites, obtained both at the surface and below the
thermocline, in August for the SL 2018 Water Quality Monitoring Program. ............................................ 27
Table 7: Concentration of metals within site sediment samples sampled on August 27th, 2018. Interim
sediment quality guideline (ISQG) is the recommendation by CCME of total concentrations of chemicals
in surficial sediment, while the probable effect level (PEL) is the CCME upper value in which adverse
effects are expected (CCME, 2001). Nova Scotia environmental quality standards (NSEQS) are sediment
guidelines specifically set by the Nova Scotia Environment (NSE, 2014). Light yellow indicates parameters
approaching one of the guidelines, while dark yellow indicates an exceedance of one of the guidelines.
.................................................................................................................................................................... 32
Table 8: Comparison of 2018 sediment metal concentrations from SL Lake 2, Lake 3, and Forties River to
the range and mean metal concentrations from four Kejimkujik Lakes (Hilchemakaar, Big Dam East,
Cobrielle, and Peskowesk) monitored from 2000-2009 (Kirk, 2018). ......................................................... 33
Table 9: Phosphorus concentrations in sediment samples from lake and river sites sampled on August
27th, 2018. ................................................................................................................................................... 33
Table 10: Carlson (1977) 2018 SL TSI scores and trophic states for total phosphorus, chlorophyll A, and
Secchi disk for Lake 1 (red) and Lake 2 (blue). ............................................................................................ 34
6 | Page
1. Introduction
1.1. Sherbrooke Lake Background
Sherbrooke Lake (SL) is located in the headwaters of the LaHave River watershed, in Southern Nova
Scotia. Sherbrooke Lake covers 16.94 km2 – the largest waterbody within the LaHave watershed – and
has a 285 km2 drainage basin (Figure 1). Although SL is fed by 14 inlet streams, many are less than 1 km
in length. Sherbrooke River is the largest inlet stream feeding SL, while North Branch is the only outlet
stream of the lake - located on the South-Southwest side of the lake.
The water quality of the LaHave River watershed has been monitored by Coastal Action since 2007. The
program monitors 15 sites throughout the watershed, including the Sherbrooke River which feeds the
lake, and the lake’s outlet downstream. A water quality index (WQI) report card of the status of the
watershed and the individual sites is reported annually and available at the Coastal Action website
(http://coastalaction.org/Wordpress/).
Forestry, silviculture, and agriculture dominate the LaHave River watershed and SL sub-watershed. Rural
communities are also located throughout, with cottages and camps found along the edge of SL.
Figure 1: Left - Streams (yellow) and drainage boundary (red) of Sherbrooke Lake. Right – Bathymetry of Sherbrooke Lake and
proposed public access site (red circle).
7 | Page
In 2015, the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg (MODL) began investigating ways to allow public
access to the lake by appointing the Sherbrooke Lake Access Advisory Committee (SLAAC). SLAAC was to
present options for accessing SL, and to obtain community advice and input throughout the process.
After public consultations, held by UPLAND Planning + Design, a section of land on the South-Eastern
side of the lake was determined to be the public access site (Figure 1). In the report provided to SLAAC
by UPLAND Planning + Design, the implementation of a water quality committee for Sherbrooke Lake
was recommended.
1.2. Program Background
As a result of the planned public access site at SL, the Sherbrooke Lake Stewardship Committee (SLSC)
was formed. The SLSC, a joint commitment between MODL and the Municipality of Chester (MOC), is
comprised of one Bluenose Coastal Action Foundation (Coastal Action) staff, two residents of MODL,
two residents of MOC, a water quality expert, and supporting municipal staff. The SLSC was tasked with
developing and implementing a water quality monitoring program to: determine a baseline
understanding of water quality conditions within Sherbrooke Lake prior to construction of the public
access site, monitor water quality during and after the construction, and provide evidence-based advice
to MODL and MOC regarding ways to address water quality changes and concerns within the lake.
Although a preliminary monitoring program was implemented in 2017, the full Sherbrooke Lake Water
Quality Monitoring Program began in May 2018. The 2018 monitoring program consisted of three lake
sites monitored for various chemicals monthly from May to October, two additional lake sites monitored
during the summer months for chlorophyll a, four streams monitored bimonthly from May to October,
seven streams monitored once after a rainfall event (>20 mm rainfall within 24 hours), two lake sites
and one stream site where one-time sediment samples were obtained for analyses, and two lake sites
where one-time lake profiles and nutrients at-depth were obtained for analyses (Figure 2, Table 1). The
2018 monitoring program incorporated trained volunteers to collect the water and sediment samples
throughout the field season, while Coastal Action coordinated the sampling and analyzed the data (for
full methodology please refer to the Sherbrooke Lake Water Quality Monitoring Program available upon
request from either the Municipality of Chester or the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg).
8 | Page
Figure 2: Sherbrooke Lake 2018 Water Quality Monitoring Program sampling locations.
9 | Page
Table 1: Monitoring program parameters, site locations, and sampling frequencies for the 2018 Sherbrooke Lake Water Quality
Monitoring Program. New coordinates to access river sites via road are in blue.
Sample Site
Name
Site Coordinates
(UTM Zone 20T)
Sampling
Frequency
Parameters Sampled
Lake 1 372287 E, 4947688 N Monthly (May-
Oct.)
YSI+, hydrocarbons, total suspended solids, total
phosphorus, total nitrogen, fecal coliform,
chlorophyll a, Secchi disk depth. One-time depth
profile.
Lake 2 376072 E, 4943018 N Monthly (May-
Oct.)
YSI, hydrocarbons, total suspended solids, total
phosphorus, total nitrogen, fecal coliform,
chlorophyll a, Secchi disk depth. One-time dept
profile and sediment grab.
Lake 3 (Public
Access)
376831 E, 4943540 N Monthly (May-
Oct.)
YSI, hydrocarbons, total suspended solids, total
phosphorus, total nitrogen, fecal coliform,
chlorophyll a, Secchi disk depth. One-time
sediment grab.
Lake 4* (Public
Access Boat
Launch)
376844 E, 4943371 N Monthly (Sept –
Oct.)
YSI, hydrocarbons, total suspended solids, total
phosphorus, total nitrogen, fecal coliform,
chlorophyll a.
Chl 1 371682 E, 4949984 N Monthly (June-
Aug.)
YSI, chlorophyll a, Secchi disk depth.
Chl 2 372466 E, 4949027 N Monthly (June-
Aug.)
YSI, chlorophyll a, Secchi disk depth.
Butler Lake
Brook
370079 E, 4952036 N One-time, rainfall-
dependent
YSI, total suspended solids, total phosphorus,
total nitrogen, fecal coliform, chlorophyll a.
Sherbrooke
River
370845 E, 4952984 N
369774 E, 4954072 N
Bi-monthly (May,
July, Sept.) &
rainfall-dependent
YSI, total suspended solids, total phosphorus,
total nitrogen, fecal coliform, chlorophyll a.
Gully River 372050 E, 4953315 N
372246 E, 4953404 N
One-time, rainfall-
dependent
YSI, total suspended solids, total phosphorus,
total nitrogen, fecal coliform, chlorophyll a.
Forties River 373210 E, 4949840 N
373539 E, 4949823 N
Bi-monthly (May,
July, Sept.) &
rainfall-dependent
YSI, total suspended solids, total phosphorus,
total nitrogen, fecal coliform, chlorophyll a. One-
time sediment grab.
Pine Lake
Brook
373705 E, 4945670 N Bi-monthly (May,
July, Sept.) &
rainfall-dependent
YSI, total suspended solids, total phosphorus,
total nitrogen, fecal coliform, chlorophyll a.
Zwicker Brook 376582 E, 4944469 N Bi-monthly (May,
July, Sept.) &
rainfall-dependent
YSI, total suspended solids, total phosphorus,
total nitrogen, fecal coliform, chlorophyll a.
Peter Veinot
Brook
376552 E, 4942058 N
376507 E, 4941558 N
One-time, rainfall-
dependent
YSI, total suspended solids, total phosphorus,
total nitrogen, fecal coliform, chlorophyll a.
+YSI is a multi-parameter water quality device that measures the physical characteristics (temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, total dissolved
solids, salinity, pressure, and specific conductivity) of the water at the time of sampling.
*Lake 4 site added in September 2018 after a Sherbrooke Park Design Meeting to obtain water quality specifically at the lake site near the
planned boat launch.
10 | Page
1.3. Objectives and Scope of Work
The objective of this program is to provide a water quality overview for Sherbrooke Lake, which can help
the SLSC provide evidence-based advice to both MODL and MOC. Within the SLSC, Coastal Action’s
scope of work included:
● Designing and writing the Sherbrooke Lake 2018 Water Quality Monitoring Program
● Ordering and ensuring correct bottles from Maxxam Analytics
● Creating and printing waterproof field sheets for each sampling month
● Implementing two days of volunteer training
● Calibrating and caring for the MODL-MOC YSI monthly
● Ensuring volunteers obtained all required field equipment for field work
● Transferring data from field sheets and Maxxam into a database and analyzing data
● Attending SLSC meetings and presenting water quality results
● Preparing this report to summarize results and recommendations for water quality related to
Sherbrooke Lake
2. Water Quality Monitoring Results
2.1. Physical Water Parameters
2.1.1. Surface Water Temperature
Water temperature is a key parameter in understanding and assessing the health and productivity of an
aquatic environment, as it directly impacts organisms, while also affecting other physical and chemical
parameters. Water temperature can impact the presence and survival of fish, where temperatures
outside of a species’ optimal range can negatively affect fish survival (NSSA, 2014); 20oC is the maximum
acceptable temperature for salmon and trout (Alabaster and Lloyd, 1982). In addition, increased water
temperature decreases a waterbody’s capacity to hold oxygen, thereby limiting available oxygen to
aquatic organisms.
In the lake sites, temperatures ranged from 10.2-26.7oC, while streams ranged from 13-26.5oC (Figures 3
and 4). The lake sites exceeded 20oC between June to August 2018, while the stream sites exceeded
20oC in July and August 2018. In the lake, surface temperatures exceeding 20oC will not greatly affect
organisms, as aquatic life can take refuge in the cooler deep waters below; however, this is not the case
for streams. The highest water temperatures were recorded at Sherbrooke River and Forties River. The
lower temperatures observed at Pine Lake Brook and Zwicker Brook may be due to higher percentage of
shade covering the waters (from tree canopies) due to smaller stream widths (compared to Sherbrooke
and Forties). Pine Lake Brook and Zwicker Brook exceeded that 20oC threshold only once (by 0.1oC in
July 2018) – these streams appear to provide a suitable habitat for aquatic organisms year-round.
Following the one-time rainfall sampling event, 5/7 streams were below 20oC, with only Sherbrooke and
Forties exceeding the threshold.
11 | Page
Figure 3: Water temperatures at four monthly lake sites (Lake 1-4), and two summer-only sites (Chl 1 and Chl 2) during the May-
October 2018 SL water quality field season. Red line indicates the 20oC limit for survival of aquatic organisms.
Figure 4: Water temperatures at four bimonthly and rainfall-dependent stream sites (Sherbrooke River, Forties River, Pine Lake,
and Zwicker Brook), in addition to three rainfall-dependent stream sites (Butler Lake Brook, Gully River, and Peter Veinot Brook).
Red line indicates the 20oC limit for survival of aquatic organisms.
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Temperature (oC)Lake 1 Lake 2 Lake 3 Lake 4 Chl 1 Chl 2
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Temperature (oC)Sherbrooke River Forties River Pine Lake Brook Zwicker Brook
Butler Lake Brook Gully River Peter Veinot Brook
12 | Page
2.1.2. Surface Dissolved Oxygen
Dissolved oxygen (DO) is another key physical water parameter, as it is required for the survival of
aquatic organisms and affects how nutrients are cycled and released within lake waterbodies. The
Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) set a guideline at ≥6.5 mg/L for the protection
of aquatic life for cold water species – species found in lakes such as Sherbrooke (CCME, 1999). DO not
only affects aquatic organisms, but also is controlled by organisms (due to consumption), water
temperature, and the waterbody’s ability to mix and engulf DO (wind and waves increase dissolved
oxygen into the water).
Of the lake and stream sites, only one stream site had DO below 6.5 mg/L throughout the 2018 field
season (Figures 5 and 6). The six lake sites monitored in SL were always >7 mg/L, even as DO decreased
during summer months due to biological demand. The high DO concentrations may be attributed to the
sampling depths for these monthly and bimonthly samples, as only surface water was monitored and
therefore influenced by the DO engulfment via winds and waves. The seven stream sites also appear to
be well oxygenated and suitable for aquatic life – even the Peter Veinot Brook measurement below 6.5
mg/L was only 0.09 mg/L below the threshold.
Figure 5: DO at four monthly lake sites (Lake 1-4), and two summer-only sites (Chl 1 and Chl 2) during the May-October 2018 SL
water quality field season. Red line indicates CCME’s 6.5 mg/L DO minimum-threshold for survival of aquatic organisms.
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)Lake 1 Lake 2 Lake 3 Lake 4 Chl 1 Chl 2
13 | Page
Figure 6: DO at four bimonthly and rainfall-dependent stream sites (Sherbrooke River, Forties River, Pine Lake, and Zwicker
Brook), in addition to three rainfall-dependent stream sites (Butler Lake Brook, Gully River, and Peter Veinot Brook). Red line
indicates CCME’s 6.5 mg/L DO minimum-threshold for survival of aquatic organisms.
2.1.3. Depth Profiles
2.1.3.1. At-Depth Water Temperature
The water profile at lake sites 1 and 2 in August 2018 indicate that both sites have a thermal
stratification – Lake 2 having a stronger stratification than Lake 1 (Figure 7). Stratification begins at a
shallower depth (5 m) for Lake 2 than Lake 1 (8 m). Lake 2’s thermocline is 8 m thick, separating the
>20oC surface waters from the <10oC deep waters. Lake 1’s thermocline is only 2 m thick, with ~5oC
separation between surface and deep waters. The presence of a thermocline at both lake sites indicates
that the nutrient-rich, cold deep waters are not mixing with the nutrient-limited, warm surface waters
during the summer months; mixing and redistribution of nutrients within the lake is therefore only
occurring during spring and fall turnover, when water temperature is uniform at all depths and no
density-differences inhibit mixing.
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)Sherbrooke River Forties River Pine Lake Brook Zwicker Brook
Butler Lake Brook Gully River Peter Veinot Brook
14 | Page
Figure 7: Water temperature depth profile from two lakes during the August 2018 sampling of SL. Red line indicates the 20oC
limit for survival of aquatic organisms.
2.1.3.2. At-Depth Dissolved Oxygen
In addition to the thermocline that is present in the lake sites’ depth profiles, DO is also stratified at the
two sites (Figure 8). Of the four common DO profiles in lakes (Figure 9), Lake 1 presents a clinograde
curve, where DO is highest in the surface waters and lowest in the deep waters. Clinograde curves often
occur in mesotrophic and eutrophic lakes, where microbial decomposition uses and depletes the lake’s
DO. Lake 2 appears to have a negative heterograde curve. Negative heterograde curves have a distinct
reduction in DO at depth – this may be due to increased organic matter trapped within the thermocline,
acting as a source of food for microbes and increasing DO depletion from microbial decomposition. DO
increases past the decomposition depth due to the lack of food encouraging microbial decomposition.
There is a drop of DO at the base of the lake in Lake 2 - this may be due to increased microbial presence
– again due to increased nutrients available (decaying organisms and litter would sink to the sediment,
acting as a food source of microbes).
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
0 5 10 15 20 25
Depth (m)Temperature (oC)
Lake 1 Lake 2
15 | Page
Figure 8: DO depth profile from two lake sites during the August 2018 sampling of SL. Red line indicates CCME’s 6.5 mg/L DO
minimum-threshold for survival of aquatic organisms.
Figure 9: Four common water temperature and DO depth profiles, from Hutchinson, 1957.
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Depth (m)Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
Lake 1 Lake 2
16 | Page
Due to the stratification of the lake sites 1 & 2, no summer mixing occurs, resulting in a finite supply of
DO for organisms below the thermocline until fall turnover. At depths below 7 m for Lake 1, DO falls
below the CCME 6.5 mg/L guideline, while depths below 5 m at Lake 2 also have <6.5 mg/L of DO
available. As microbes continue to consume the finite supply of DO in the deep lake waters, the stress of
low-DO on aquatic organisms will only increase until the water’s DO is replenished during fall turnover.
It appears at the bottom of the lake at both Lake 1 and Lake 2, waters become hypoxic (<2 mg/L) and
anoxic (<1 mg/L) and have decreased capacity to support aquatic life (USGS, 2014; Brylinsky, 2004). As
oxygen is necessary for aquatic life, anoxic conditions can be harmful and even kill organisms that pass
through anoxic waters. In addition, anoxic conditions can cause phosphorus locked in the sediment to
change states and be released into the water column, potentially over-enriching the waters with new
nutrients and causing algal blooms.
2.1.4. pH
pH is a parameter used to access the acidity of a substance, with pH being the negative logarithmic of
the hydrogen ion concentration of the solution (Equation 1). The pH scale ranges from 0 (most acidic) to
14 (most basic), with 7 being the neutral point. In natural waters, due to the dissolution of carbon
dioxide, water pH is slightly more acidic than neutral (~6.5), with geology, organic materials, and rain
inputs also affecting the water’s natural pH state; due to such natural variations, the CCME has set a pH
range of 6.5-9.0 as a guideline for the protection of aquatic life (CCME, 2007).
Equation 1: 𝑘𝐻=−log([𝐻+])
Particularly in Nova Scotia, natural organic matter, acid rock drainage from specific bedrock formations,
and decades of acid precipitation have lowered the pH of waters in the province and negatively affected
fish populations. Although the CCME has set a threshold of 6.5, many aquatic organisms have adjusted
to Nova Scotia’s acidic waters, with trout species surviving in waters as low as 4.7 (NSSA, 2014).
Although organisms can survive in acidic conditions, Harvey and Lee (1982) reported fish kills associated
with exposure to highly acidic waters from hours to days, while Courtney and Clements (1998) reported
significant reductions in invertebrates after seven days of exposure to acidic conditions (pH 4.0).
pH within the lakes and rivers of the 2018 SL monitoring program varied between 3.2-6.6 (Figures 10
and 11). Lake 3 consistently had the highest pH values, while only Lake 2 and Lake 4 fell below 5.5 (4.22
and 3.24, respectively). It is unclear what caused Lake 4’s pH to drop to 3.24 during the October
sampling, and more data is required to understand if the pH of this site is commonly acidic, or if this was
an anomaly. Of the stream sites, the lowest recorded pH was 5.05 at Pine Lake Brook – Pine Lake Brook
was consistently one of the lowest pH sites during the 2018 field season.
Even with pH values below the CCME’s 6.5-pH threshold at lake and river sites, the data suggest that pH
would not negatively affect aquatic life in the streams and most lake sites. For the stream sites, pH >5.0
is adequate for the survival of fish and invertebrates (Morris, Taylor, and Brown, 1989). Of the lake sites,
only Lake 2 and Lake 4 pose a threat to aquatic life; however, as the length of the low-pH conditions are
17 | Page
unknown – due to the monthly sampling frequency of the program – it is unclear if these conditions
pose short-term or long-term concerns to aquatic life.
Figure 10: pH at four monthly lake sites (Lake 1-4), and two summer-only sites (Chl 1 and Chl 2) during the May-October 2018 SL
water quality field season. Red line indicates the 5.0-pH minimum threshold for survival of fish and invertebrates (Morris, Taylor,
and Brown, 1989).
Figure 11: pH at four bimonthly and rainfall-dependent stream sites (Sherbrooke River, Forties River, Pine Lake, and Zwicker
Brook), in addition to three rainfall-dependent stream sites (Butler Lake Brook, Gully River, and Peter Veinot Brook). Red line
indicates the 5.0-pH minimum threshold for survival of fish and invertebrates (Morris, Taylor, and Brown, 1989).
3
3.5
4
4.5
5
5.5
6
6.5
7
pHLake 1 Lake 2 Lake 3 Lake 4 Chl 1 Chl 2
3
3.5
4
4.5
5
5.5
6
6.5
7
pHSherbrooke River Forties River Pine Lake Brook Zwicker Brook
Butler Lake Brook Gully River Peter Veinot Brook
18 | Page
2.1.5. Total Dissolved Solids
Total dissolved solids (TDS) – a measurement of dissolved materials in water – is an invaluable
parameter. TDS can be influenced by construction, deforestation, sewage effluent, urban and
agricultural run-off, industrial waste, road salts, forest fires, and rainfall/flooding events, and therefore
provides insight into potential pollution issues affecting the water. Although there is no CCME guideline
for TDS, high concentrations of TDS can affect a water’s taste, colour, and clarity (NSSA, 2014), and
reductions in clarity can decrease the depth of light penetration and affect rooted vegetation. For most
of Nova Scotia’s lakes, TDS ranges from 5 to 235 mg/L (Nova Scotia Lake Inventory Program, 2017).
TDS of the six SL lake sites never exceeded 20.0 mg/L, while most streams had TDS concentrations >20
mg/L (Table 2, Figures 12 and 13). TDS was very similar between lake sites, while streams had slightly
more TDS concentration variation between sites. Of the four bimonthly stream sites monitored, no site
indicated an increase in TDS during the rainfall sampling event. Butler Brook had the highest recorded
TDS concentration (39 mg/L), which is consistent with its 2017 preliminary data (33.8 mg/L), suggesting
that the brook has naturally high TDS concentrations. TDS concentrations from SL fall along the lower
end of the TDS range for Nova Scotia’s lakes.
Table 2: Mean and maximum TDS concentrations from lake and river sites during the 2018 SL field season.
Site Type Site Mean TDS (mg/L) Maximum TDS (mg/L)
Lake
Lake 1 18.8 20.0
Lake 2 18.2 19.0
Lake 3 18.2 19.0
Lake 4 18.5 19.0
Chl 1 19.0 20.0
Chl 2 18.3 19.0
Stream
Sherbrooke River 21.3 23
Forties River 19.0 24
Pine Lake Brook 17.9 21
Zwicker Brook 19.0 23
Butler Brook - 39
Gully River - 14
Peter Veinot Brook - 21
19 | Page
Figure 12: TDS at four monthly lake sites (Lake 1-4), and two summer-only sites (Chl 1 and Chl 2) during the May-October 2018
SL water quality field season.
Figure 13: TDS at four bimonthly and rainfall-dependent stream sites (Sherbrooke River, Forties River, Pine Lake, and Zwicker
Brook), in addition to three rainfall-dependent stream sites (Butler Lake Brook, Gully River, and Peter Veinot Brook).
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L)Lake 1 Lake 2 Lake 3 Lake 4 Chl 1 Chl 2
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L)Sherbrooke River Forties River Pine Lake Brook Zwicker Brook
Butler Lake Brook Gully River Peter Veinot Brook
20 | Page
2.2. Chemical Water Parameters
2.2.1. Total Suspended Solids
Total suspended solids (TSS) is a measurement of all suspended materials in the water column. Increases
in TSS can be natural due to erosion or general disturbance of land upstream or can be unnatural
(release of substance from deforestation, mining, etc.). According to the Nova Scotia Environment Act
(1994-95), ‘No person shall release or permit the release into the environment of a substance in an
amount, concentration or level of at a rate of release that causes or may cause adverse effect, unless
authorized by an approval of the regulations’; by monitoring and obtaining an initial reference point of
TSS and other water quality parameters prior to future potential land disturbances, the SLSC can address
and mitigate any possible substance release events.
TSS concentrations ranged from <1 mg/L to 3.4 mg/L for SL lake and river sites (Figures 14 and 15). Most
lake sites had <1 mg/L of TSS during the field season, with minimal differences between lake sites. For
the stream sites, Zwicker Brook had, in general, the highest TSS concentrations; however, Sherbrooke
River did have the highest TSS of the 2018 field season (3.4 mg/L). The high TSS concentration at
Sherbrooke River coincides with the rainfall-dependent event; however, no other stream experienced
increased TSS during the rainfall event. In Nova Scotia, TSS in lakes ranges from 0.8 to 15 mg/L (Nova
Scotia Lake Inventory Program, 2017); SL TSS concentrations fall along the lower end of this range.
Secchi disk depth – the depth to which a black and white disk just is barely visible within a waterbody –
can act as a proxy for TSS in lakes. In SL, Secchi disk depths were measured for sites Lake 1-4. Lake 1 was
visible to a maximum depth of 2.65 m, with a mean depth of 2.21 m. Lake 2 had a maximum visible
depth of 2.84 m and mean depth of 2.43 m. At Lake 3 and 4, the Secchi depths were equivalent to the
depth of water, due to the shallowness of the sites (mean depth of 1.78 m and 2.38 m, respectively).
Although Secchi depth provides an indication of light penetration into waterbodies, the measurements
can be skewed due to an individual’s eyesight, and different individuals performing the measurement on
different days.
21 | Page
Figure 14: TSS at four monthly lake sites (Lake 1-4) during the May-October 2018 SL water quality field season.
Figure 15: TSS at four bimonthly and rainfall-dependent stream sites (Sherbrooke River, Forties River, Pine Lake, and Zwicker
Brook), in addition to three rainfall-dependent stream sites (Butler Lake Brook, Gully River, and Peter Veinot Brook).
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
Total Suspended Solids (mg/L)Lake 1 Lake 2 Lake 3 Lake 4
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
Total Suspended Solids (mg/L)Sherbrooke River Forties River Pine Lake Brook Zwicker Brook
Butler Lake Brook Gully River Peter Veinot Brook
22 | Page
2.2.2. Total Phosphorus
Phosphorus concentrations (both organic and inorganic) are extremely important in healthy ecosystems;
phosphorus acts as a nutrient to various organisms and plants within watersheds. Due to minimal
natural sources of phosphorus and high demand of phosphorus by plants, phosphorus concentrations
are low in aquatic environments and therefore a growth-limiting factor. As phosphorus is a key nutrient
in freshwater environments, and not considered a toxic substance, the CCME does not have set
guidelines; however, Ontario’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) has set a total
phosphorus guideline of ≤0.02 mg/L for lakes, and ≤0.03 mg/L for rivers and streams (MOE, 1979). By
monitoring phosphorus, pollution sources can be located due to ‘pockets’ of elevated phosphorus
concentrations. In addition, by monitoring phosphorus below a lake’s thermocline, we can assess how
nutrients are being used/supplied in deeper waters, and if nutrient-enrichment will be a problem once
the waters mix during fall and spring turnover.
Lake sites were consistently lower than streams (Figures 16 and 17, Table 3). Lake phosphorus
concentrations ranged from <0.004 mg/L to 0.017 mg/L, while streams ranged from 0.011 mg/L to 0.04
mg/L. No lake phosphorus concentrations exceeded the MOECC lake guideline of 0.02 mg/L, while three
stream sites exceeded the MOECC stream guideline of 0.03 mg/L. Zwicker Brook, Forties River, and
Sherbrooke River all exceeded the guideline by 0.01 mg/L, while Pine Lake Brook, Butler Lake Brook, and
Gully River were at the threshold (0.03 mg/L). Phosphorus concentrations increased at the four
bimonthly streams during the rainfall event; phosphorus concentrations were also elevated at the three
rainfall-dependent sites, but as these sites were not sampled more than once, it is unclear if these
phosphorus concentrations are elevated or natural. Due to the increase in phosphorus of the bimonthly
streams, it is reasonable to assume that the rainfall caused increased flushing of phosphorus into the
streams. As the monthly sampling for August did not occur until 10 days after the rainfall event, the
effects of the stream phosphorus flushing on lake sites would be minimal.
23 | Page
Figure 16: Total phosphorus at four monthly lake sites (Lake 1-4) during the May-October 2018 SL water quality field season.
Red line indicates the MOECC 0.03 mg/L guideline for phosphorus in streams.
Figure 17: Total phosphorus at four bimonthly and rainfall-dependent stream sites (Sherbrooke River, Forties River, Pine Lake,
and Zwicker Brook), in addition to three rainfall-dependent stream sites (Butler Lake Brook, Gully River, and Peter Veinot Brook).
Red line indicates the MOECC 0.03 mg/L guideline for phosphorus in streams.
0
0.01
0.02
0.03
0.04
0.05
Total Phosphorus (mg/L)Lake 1 Lake 2 Lake 3 Lake 4
0
0.01
0.02
0.03
0.04
0.05
Total Phosphorus (mg/L)Sherbrooke River Forties River Pine Lake Brook Zwicker Brook
Butler Lake Brook Gully River Peter Veinot Brook
24 | Page
Phosphorus concentrations during the 2018 field season differ at several sites compared to the 2017
preliminary data (Table 3). Phosphorus concentrations are similar for all lake sites, while all stream sites
have increased phosphorus concentrations. The difference between the stream concentrations may be
due to the weather differences during sampling events, as the 2017 samples were collected on a day
without rain, while the 2018 samples collected during the same month (August) were collected during
the rainfall-dependent event.
Table 3: Range in total phosphorus concentrations between 2017 and 2018; July-August for lake samples, August for river
samples.
Site 2017 Range 2018 Range
Lake 1 0.005-0.008 0.004-0.008
Lake 2 0.004-0.005 0.004-0.009
Lake 3 No data 0.004-0.005
Lake 4 No data 0.004-0.007
Sherbrooke River 0.007 0.04
Forties River 0.016 0.04
Pine Lake Brook 0.019 0.03
Zwicker Brook 0.024 0.04
Butler Lake Brook 0.013 0.03
Gully River 0.01 0.03
Peter Veinot Brook 0.01 0.02
Elevated phosphorus concentrations below the thermocline may indicate a possible nutrient-
enrichment event during fall turnover, with a potential for eutrophication and algal blooms. In SL,
phosphorus concentrations below the thermocline (‘phosphorus at-depth’) were not significantly lower
than surface concentrations (Table 4). Phosphorus at-depth was 0.001 mg/L lower than Lake 1 surface
waters, while Lake 2 saw an increase of 0.021 mg/L between surface and at-depth concentrations. High
phosphorus concentrations in the deeper lake waters suggests that the thermocline is not allowing
nutrient mixing within the lake profile, and that there is minimal assimilation of phosphorus at-depth.
Although no algal bloom occurred during fall turnover in SL, caution should be advised to residents of SL
during the fall, as the mixing of elevated phosphorus concentrations increases the risk of a fall algal
bloom in the future.
Table 4: Total phosphorus concentrations from two lake sites, obtained both at the surface and below the thermocline, in August
for the SL 2018 Water Quality Monitoring Program.
Site Surface Phosphorus (mg/L) Phosphorus At-Depth (mg/L)
Lake 1 0.008 0.007
Lake 2 0.004 0.025
25 | Page
2.2.3. Total Nitrogen
Like phosphorus, nitrogen concentrations are also key and limiting nutrients for plants and other
organisms in freshwater environments. No CCME guidelines exist for nitrogen; however, Dodds and
Welch (2000) have established a ≤0.9 mg/L guideline for freshwater environments, while Underwood
and Josselyn (1979) reported a guideline of ≤0.3 mg/L for oligotrophic waterbodies.
Lake nitrogen concentrations ranged from 0.18 mg/L to 0.359 mg/L, while stream nitrogen
concentrations ranged from 0.35 mg/L to 0.883 mg/L (Figures 18 and 19, Table 5). Total nitrogen, just as
total phosphorus, was lower in lake sites than stream sites, and total nitrogen increased at all stream
sites compared to the 2017 preliminary sampling data – possibly due to a difference in sampling event
types. No stream or lake site exceeded the Dodds and Welch (2000) 0.9 mg/L threshold; however, the
Lake 1 site did exceed the Underwood and Josselyn (1979) 0.3 mg/L threshold for oligotrophic
waterbodies once – 0.359 mg/L on July 31st, 2018.
Exceedance of the oligotrophic threshold, in addition to the elevated nitrogen concentrations at all
seven streams during the rainfall event suggests that nitrogen pollution may be a problem in SL in the
future, and that rainfall may be a key driver of how pollutants enter the lake. Of the bimonthly streams
monitored during the sampling program, all four streams had increases in total nitrogen during the
rainfall-dependent sampling. Of the lake sites sampled during the monthly August event, nitrogen
concentrations only increased at Lake 2, while Lake 1 and 3 dropped from the July concentrations – as
sampling occurred 10 days after the rainfall-dependent sampling, it is possible that the influx of nitrogen
from the inlet streams had been assimilated by plants, and therefore the lake’s elevated nitrogen
concentrations associated with the rainfall event may have been missed.
Figure 18: Total nitrogen at four monthly lake sites (Lake 1-4) during the May-October 2018 SL water quality field season. Red
line indicates the Dodds and Welch (2000) 0.9 mg/L nitrogen threshold for freshwaters.
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1
Total Nitrogen (mg/L)Lake 1 Lake 2 Lake 3 Lake 4
26 | Page
Figure 19: Total nitrogen at four bimonthly and rainfall-dependent stream sites (Sherbrooke River, Forties River, Pine Lake, and
Zwicker Brook), in addition to three rainfall-dependent stream sites (Butler Lake Brook, Gully River, and Peter Veinot Brook). Red
line indicates the Dodds and Welch (2000) 0.9 mg/L nitrogen threshold for freshwaters.
Table 5: Range in total nitrogen concentrations between 2017 and 2018; July-August for lake samples, August for river samples.
Site 2017 Range 2018 Range
Lake 1 0.258-0.36 0.185-0.359
Lake 2 0.234-0.324 0.18-0.258
Lake 3 No data 0.19-0.29
Lake 4 No data 0.189-0.196
Sherbrooke River 0.511 0.714
Forties River 0.685 0.751
Pine Lake Brook 0.629 0.781
Zwicker Brook 0.592 0.711
Butler Lake Brook 0.434 0.883
Gully River 0.441 0.483
Peter Veinot Brook 0.374 0.66
Just as with phosphorus, elevated nitrogen concentrations below the thermocline may indicate a
possible nutrient-enrichment event during fall turnover, with a potential for eutrophication and algal
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1
Total Nitrogen (mg/L)Sherbrooke River Forties River Pine Lake Brook Zwicker Brook
Butler Lake Brook Gully River Peter Veinot Brook
27 | Page
blooms. In SL, nitrogen concentrations at-depth were not significantly lower than surface concentrations
(Table 6). Lake 2 had almost double the surface nitrogen concentration in the waters below the
thermocline. With elevated phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations below the thermocline, SL fall
turnover is essential for nutrient dispersal – and a concern for eutrophication. Although no algal bloom
occurred in fall 2018 in SL, caution should be taken in the future, especially at Lake 2 where nutrients
are particularly high.
Table 6: Total nitrogen concentrations from two lake sites, obtained both at the surface and below the thermocline, in August
for the SL 2018 Water Quality Monitoring Program.
Site Surface Nitrogen (mg/L) Nitrogen At-Depth (mg/L)
Lake 1 0.263 0.223
Lake 2 0.258 0.46
2.2.4. Hydrocarbons
Hydrocarbons are chains of carbon and hydrogen molecules which are the main components of natural
gases and petroleum products. Monitoring hydrocarbons provides insight to whether anthropogenic
activities are influencing water quality in the region - such as boating and combustion of petroleum
products causing atmospheric deposition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (Das, Routh, and
Roychoudhury, 2008; Andren and Strand, 1979).
No hydrocarbons were detectable at any lake sites during either the preliminary-2017 and full-2018 SL
Water Quality Monitoring Program. Hydrocarbons should continue to be monitored at all lake sites to
monitor for changes in detectable amounts of hydrocarbons – especially at sites Lake 3 and 4, where a
public boat launch is proposed, which would see an increase in boat traffic, and by association, increases
in the potential for hydrocarbon releases into the lake. As hydrocarbons commonly form particulate
complexes that settle out of solution, collecting sediment hydrocarbon samples at sites Lake 3 and 4
may also be useful in developing a reference point prior to the installment of the SL public access site.
2.2.5. Chlorophyll a
Chlorophyll a is a parameter used as a proxy for biological activity within water and can be an indicator
for potential algal blooms if it increases to elevated levels (Stumpf, 2001). For SL, chlorophyll a never
exceeded 7 µg/L (Figure 20). Chlorophyll a decreased over the 2018 sampling season and plateaued
from August to October. The highest chlorophyll a concentration was observed at Lake 1 in May 2018,
while Lake 3 consistently had the lowest chlorophyll a concentrations. The low chlorophyll a
concentrations throughout the 2018 field season, and no increase in chlorophyll a during the fall
turnover, coincide with the lack of algal blooms observed within the lake.
28 | Page
Figure 20: Chlorophyll a at four monthly lake sites (Lake 1-4), and two summer-only sites (Chl 1 and Chl 2) during the May-
October 2018 SL water quality field season.
2.2.6. Fecal Coliform Bacteria
Fecal coliform bacteria are found in the waste of warm-blooded animals and used as indicators of fecal
pollution within freshwater environments. Sources of bacteria can include agricultural lands – due to the
spreading of manure on crops, stream crossings by livestock, and livestock feces (Stephenson and Street,
1978; Hunter et al., 1999; Crane et al., 1983), domestic and wild animal feces, leachate from landfills
(Maqbool et al., 2011), malfunctioning septic systems, illegal straight-pipes, and stormwater run-off
(both urban areas and overland flow in rural regions).
In recreational waters, the presence of fecal pollution presents a risk to the public, as the possible
presence of pathogenic microorganisms can infect humans and animals and cause serious illnesses. As
testing for the hundreds of disease-causing microorganisms is costly and impractical, this program uses
fecal coliforms measured in coliform forming units per 100 mL (CFU/100mL) as an indicator of fecal
pollution. Fecal coliforms act as a proxy for Escherichia coli (E. coli), Health Canada’s indicator bacteria
for fecal contamination in freshwaters, under the assumption that 90% of fecal coliforms are E. coli. For
recreational waters, Health Canada has set a limit of < 400 CFU/100 mL of fecal coliforms and E. coli
during primary contact activities (activities where the body, face, or trunk are submersed, and it is likely
that water will be swallowed, such as: swimming, surfing, canoeing, etc.) (Health Canada, 2012).
Although the presence of fecal coliforms indicates the presence of fecal contamination, the absence of
fecal coliforms should not be interpreted to mean that all pathogenic organisms are absent.
In the four lake sites and seven inlet stream sites monitored during the 2018 field season, no site
exceeded the Health Canada primary contact limit (Figures 21 and 22). The highest fecal coliform count
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Chlorophyll A (ug/L)Lake 1 Lake 2 Lake 3 Lake 4 Chl 1 Chl 2
29 | Page
within the lake sites was 20 CFU/100 mL, found at Lake 2 in July 2018. Samples were below laboratory
detection limits for all eight Lake 1 samples, six of seven Lake 2 samples, six of seven Lake 3 samples,
and two of three Lake 4 samples. For the streams, concentrations ranged from <10 CFU/100 mL to 350
CFU/100 mL. The highest bacteria concentration was recorded at Butler Lake Brook (350 CFU/100 mL),
during the rainfall-dependent event.
Elevated stream bacteria concentrations were recorded during both the August rainfall-dependent
event and September bimonthly event – these elevated concentrations may be due to flushing of
bacteria on land into the streams, as both samples coincided with heavy rainfall. Increases in bacteria in
waterbodies following rainfall is commonly reported in the literature (Rodgers et al., 2003; Hunter,
McDonald, and Beven, 1992; Stephenson and Street, 1978); however, it appears that the increases did
not affect lake water quality. Although the rainfall-dependent sampling did not include sampling lake
sites, the September sampling event coincided with heavy rainfall and required both lake and bimonthly
sampling of the four primary inlet streams. Though the four streams had elevated September bacteria
concentrations, no increase in bacteria concentrations was recorded at any lake site. Caution should still
be maintained by the public after rainfall events, to avoid exposure to high fecal bacteria
concentrations, especially around streams and where streams and the lakes intersect. In addition,
caution should be taken in streams that have known bacteria sources upstream.
Figure 21: Fecal coliform at four monthly lake sites (Lake 1-4) during the May-October 2018 SL water quality field season. Red
line indicates Health Canada’s fecal coliform concentration limit for recreation in freshwaters (400 CFU/100 mL).
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
Fecal Coliform (CFU/100 mL)Lake 1 Lake 2 Lake 3 Lake 4
30 | Page
Figure 22: Fecal coliform at four bimonthly and rainfall-dependent stream sites (Sherbrooke River, Forties River, Pine Lake, and
Zwicker Brook), in addition to three rainfall-dependent stream sites (Butler Lake Brook, Gully River, and Peter Veinot Brook). Red
line indicates Health Canada’s fecal coliform concentration limit for recreation in freshwaters (400 CFU/100 mL).
2.3. Sediment Sampling
Sediments can have adverse effects on water quality in lakes and rivers, as sediment acts as a reservoir
for metals, nutrients, and organisms. During turbulence in streams, chemicals held within sediment can
be released, causing an influx of more than just TSS and TDS, but increases in metals, bacteria, organic
matter, and nutrients (Reddy et al., 1999; Brylinsky, 2004) – all of which can negatively affect a lake’s
fragile chemical equilibrium.
For sediments found at the bottom of lakes, resuspension is less likely; however, sediments can affect
bottom-feeding organisms due to high concentrations of metals which settle out of suspension and
accumulate on the lake bottom (Guthrie and Perry, 1980). Affecting bottom-feeders thereby affects
other organisms due to bioaccumulation of chemicals through the food-chain (Fishar and Ali, 2005; Chen
and Chen, 1999). In addition, different forms of phosphorus held in sediments can greatly affect lakes.
Orthophosphate is a bioavailable form of phosphorus which tends to be in lower concentrations due to
high demand by plants; however, as plants decompose, orthophosphate is released back into the
environment (CCME, 2004; Howell, 2010). For phosphorus held into complexes with metals, anoxic
conditions facilitate the dissolution of complexes and release of phosphorus from sediments (Hayes,
Reid, and Cameron, 1985). Increased levels of phosphorus released from sediments into the water
(internal phosphorus loading) can cause nutrient-enrichment and potential eutrophication and algal
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
Fecal Coliform (CFU/100 mL)Sherbrooke River Forties River Pine Lake Brook
Zwicker Brook Butler Lake Brook Gully River
Peter Veinot Brook
31 | Page
blooms (Sondergaard, Jensen, and Jeppesen, 2003) – this is particularly susceptible during turnover,
when nutrient-rich bottom waters are mixed throughout the lake, providing new food sources for
organisms.
High concentrations of metals within the lake bottom sites, unlike the Forties River site, may negatively
affect aquatic life (Table 7). Within the Lake 2 and 3 sites, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury exceed
the CCME interim sediment quality guidelines (ISQG). In addition, manganese and selenium
concentrations appear to be close to CCME sediment guidelines and should be monitored (CCME, 2001).
Lake 2 has more exceedances of metal guidelines than Lake 3 – this may be due to the increased depth
and greater slope of Lake 2. Water depth and slope are associated with increased metal concentrations
due to funneling of particulate matter towards deeper lake-bottom pockets, as observed by Hakanson
(1977) in Lake Vanern, Sweden.
Sediment metal concentrations at both SL lake sites are comparable to metal concentrations found in
four Kejimkujik lakes monitored from 2000-2009. Sediment samples were collected by Environment and
Climate Change Canada from Hichemakaar Lake, Big Dam East, Cobrielle Lake, and Peskowesk between
2000 and 2009 (Kirk, 2018). Although the SL and Kejimkujik lakes have comparable sediment metal
concentrations, many of these metals’ concentrations exceed CCME guidelines. The high metal
concentrations at Lake 2 are greater than the mean metal concentrations found at Kejimkujik for
arsenic, cadmium, lead, manganese, and mercury (Table 8). In addition, the concentration of cadmium
in sediment at Lake 2 and 3 is greater than the maximum cadmium concentration found in the four
Kejimkujik lakes. Although Lake 1 sediment was not sampled during the 2018 monitoring program, it is
recommended that sediment sampling be done at the site in the future, due to the high metal
concentrations recorded at the Lake 2 and 3 sites.
As Forties River does not exceed any guidelines, it does not appear to be a significant influence on metal
concentrations within the lake sites. It is possible that one (or multiple) of the other 13 inlet streams is
affecting metal concentrations within the lake sediments; the lake sediments may also just be the
accumulation over time from metal inputs from other inlet streams. Expanding sediment analyses to
slowly assess sediment quality from the other six main inlet streams would help determine whether one
or multiple streams are influencing lake sediments accumulation quantities.
32 | Page
Table 7: Concentration of metals within site sediment samples sampled on August 27th, 2018. Interim sediment quality guideline
(ISQG) is the recommendation by CCME of total concentrations of chemicals in surficial sediment, while the probable effect level
(PEL) is the CCME upper value in which adverse effects are expected (CCME, 2001). Nova Scotia environmental quality standards
(NSEQS) are sediment guidelines specifically set by the Nova Scotia Environment (NSE, 2014). Light yellow indicates parameters
approaching one of the guidelines, while dark yellow indicates an exceedance of one of the guidelines.
Sediment Sample Concentrations Concentration
Guidelines
Metal UNITS Lake 2 Lake 3 Forties
River RDL* ISQG PEL NSEQS
Acid Extractable Aluminum (Al) mg/kg 22000 6700 4300 10 - - -
Acid Extractable Antimony (Sb) mg/kg ND* ND ND 2.0 - - -
Acid Extractable Arsenic (As) mg/kg 16 8.3 2.7 2.0 5.9 17 17
Acid Extractable Barium (Ba) mg/kg 42 26 26 5.0 - - -
Acid Extractable Beryllium (Be) mg/kg ND ND ND 2.0 - - -
Acid Extractable Bismuth (Bi) mg/kg ND ND ND 2.0 - - -
Acid Extractable Boron (B) mg/kg ND ND ND 50 - - -
Acid Extractable Cadmium (Cd) mg/kg 1.0 1.5 ND 0.30 0.6 3.5 3.5
Acid Extractable Chromium (Cr) mg/kg 14 4.6 4.7 2.0 37.3 90 90
Acid Extractable Cobalt (Co) mg/kg 8.8 6.8 2.3 1.0 - - -
Acid Extractable Copper (Cu) mg/kg 15 13 ND 2.0 35.7 197 197
Acid Extractable Iron (Fe) mg/kg 14000 10000 8300 50 - - 47,766
Acid Extractable Lead (Pb) mg/kg 49 13 3.3 0.50 35 91.3 91.3
Acid Extractable Lithium (Li) mg/kg 10 11 20 2.0 - - -
Acid Extractable Manganese
(Mn) mg/kg 480 1000 200 2.0 - - 1,100
Acid Extractable Mercury (Hg) mg/kg 0.27 0.16 ND 0.10 0.17 0.486 0.486
Acid Extractable Molybdenum
(Mo) mg/kg ND ND ND 2.0 - - -
Acid Extractable Nickel (Ni) mg/kg 7.5 5.7 2.3 2.0 - - 75
Acid Extractable Phosphorus (P) mg/kg 1900 400 180 100 - - -
Acid Extractable Rubidium (Rb) mg/kg 6.3 4.7 17 2.0 - - -
Acid Extractable Selenium (Se) mg/kg 1.8 ND ND 1.0 - - 2
Acid Extractable Silver (Ag) mg/kg ND ND ND 0.50 - - 1
Acid Extractable Strontium (Sr) mg/kg 13 ND ND 5.0 - - -
Acid Extractable Thallium (Tl) mg/kg 0.26 0.34 0.12 0.10 - - -
Acid Extractable Tin (Sn) mg/kg 3.0 2.0 ND 2.0 - - -
Acid Extractable Uranium (U) mg/kg 5.7 1.7 0.52 0.10 - - -
Acid Extractable Vanadium (V) mg/kg 30 11 11 2.0 - - -
Acid Extractable Zinc (Zn) mg/kg 93 96 20 5.0 123 315 315
Orthophosphate (P) mg/kg 0.067 0.26 0.33 0.050 - - -
*RDL = Reportable Detection Limit; ND = Not Detected
33 | Page
Table 8: Comparison of 2018 sediment metal concentrations from SL Lake 2, Lake 3, and Forties River to the range and mean
metal concentrations from four Kejimkujik Lakes (Hilchemakaar, Big Dam East, Cobrielle, and Peskowesk) monitored from 2000-
2009 (Kirk, 2018).
Metal Unit Lake 2 Lake 3 Forties River Kejimkujik
Range
Kejimkujik Mean
Concentration
Acid Extractable Arsenic (As) mg/kg 16 8.3 2.7 3.55-27.1 10.50
Acid Extractable Cadmium (Cd) mg/kg 1.0 1.5 ND* 0.1-0.4 0.26
Acid Extractable Lead (Pb) mg/kg 49 13 3.3 43-62.5 48.40
Acid Extractable Manganese
(Mn) mg/kg 480 1000 200 28.7-666 273.40
Acid Extractable Mercury (Hg) mg/kg 0.27 0.16 ND 0.14-0.345 0.22
Acid Extractable Selenium (Se) mg/kg 1.8 ND ND 1.39-3.17 2.24
*RDL = Reportable Detection Limit; ND = Not Detected
Regarding the phosphorus levels within the lake and river sediment (Table 9), although Lake 2 has the
highest amount of phosphorus in sediment, Forties River has the highest orthophosphate to phosphorus
ratio. All three sites had low orthophosphate to phosphorus ratios (<0.2% each), indicating that the
bioavailable orthophosphate is being quickly assimilated by organisms and therefore most of the
phosphorus in the sediment is in non-bioavailable forms. Although there is no sediment phosphorus
guideline set by the CCME, Ontario’s Provincial Sediment Quality Guidelines have a 600-2000 mg/kg
range, where 2000 mg/kg of phosphorus in sediment is the ‘severe effect level’ (Ontario MOE, 2008).
Lake 3 and Forties River are below the Ontario guidelines, suggesting minimal influence by pollution and
no negative effects on aquatic organisms; however, Lake 2 is close to the 2000 mg/kg severe effect level
(1900 mg/kg at Lake 2) and therefore may indicate pollution affecting the lake, and a potential for
internal loading for phosphorus in the lake causing algal blooms. Lake 2 should be considered a ‘site of
concern’ and be continued to be monitored due to high potential for nutrient-enrichment,
eutrophication, and algal blooms.
Table 9: Phosphorus concentrations in sediment samples from lake and river sites sampled on August 27th, 2018.
Lake 2 Lake 3 Forties River
Orthophosphate in sediment (mg/kg) 0.0067 0.26 0.33
Acid extractable phosphorus in sediment (mg/kg) 1900 400 180
3. Discussion
3.1. Trophic State of Sherbrooke Lake
Trophic states describe the productivity of a waterbody which can aid in tracking how a waterbody
changes over time. Trophic states range from oligotrophic (low productivity and minimal biomass) to
hypereutrophic (high productivity and maximum biomass). The trophic state index (TSI), proposed by
Carlson (1977), uses the depth of transparency (Secchi disk), and concentrations of chlorophyll a and
phosphorus to apply a number to the waterbody’s state (Equations 2, 3, and 4) – associated with its
trophic state. Tracking a waterbody’s TSI allows comparison between years using the same methods.
34 | Page
Equation 2: 𝑆𝑆𝐻(𝑆𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑖ℎ𝑐�ℎ𝑟𝑘)=60 −14.41 × ln(𝑀𝑐𝑎𝑘𝑆𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑖ℎ𝑐�ℎ𝑟𝑘[𝑘])
Equation 3: 𝑆𝑆𝐻(𝑐�𝑘𝑘𝑟𝑘𝑘�𝑦𝑘𝑘𝐴)=30.6 +9.81 × ln(𝑀𝑐𝑎𝑘𝑐�𝑘𝑘𝑟𝑘𝑘�𝑦𝑘𝑘𝐴[𝜇𝑔
𝐿])
Equation 4: 𝑆𝑆𝐻(𝑟𝑘𝑟𝑎𝑘𝑘�𝑘𝑟𝑘�𝑘𝑟𝑟𝑟)=4.15 +14.42 × ln(𝑀𝑐𝑎𝑘𝑟𝑘𝑟𝑎𝑘𝑘�𝑘𝑟𝑘�𝑘𝑟𝑟𝑟[𝜇𝑔
𝐿])
In SL, the lake’s TSI could be based on sites Lake 1 and Lake 2, therefore a TSI was created for both sites
(Table 10; Figure 23). Both sites indicate mainly mesotrophic conditions, with phosphorus
concentrations towards oligotrophic status. Concern should be minimal for the Secchi disk/water
transparency eutrophic-approaching indices, as water transparency is not an exact indication of a
waterbody’s productivity, and can be influenced by factors other than biomass, such as suspended
particles within the water column (NSSA, 2014; EPA, 2002). For 2018, the SL trophic status should be
considered borderline oligotrophic-mesotrophic.
Table 10: Carlson (1977) 2018 SL TSI scores and trophic states for total phosphorus, chlorophyll A, and Secchi disk for Lake 1
(red) and Lake 2 (blue).
TSI Score Trophic State Phosphorus Chlorophyll A Secchi Disk
< 40 Oligotrophic 33.3 28.6
40-50 Mesotrophic 42.3 40.7 48.6 47.38
> 50 Eutrophic
Figure 23: Carlson TSI for lakes, with TSI ranks for SL Lake 1 (red star) and Lake 2 (blue star). Transparency determined using
Secchi disk depth. From Carlson (1977).
35 | Page
3.2. Algal Blooms
An algal bloom is the rapid increase and accumulation of microscopic plankton algae (phytoplankton) in
water bodies and can be detrimental of ecosystems (Hallegraeff, 2003). Ecosystems have a fragile
balance, where biomass is sustained and limited by available nutrients; however, when excess nutrients
enter an ecosystem, biomass can expand (Heisler et al., 2008). In waterbodies, excess nutrients allow
algae to flourish, exceeding normal densities and assimilating all nutrients. The increased biomass
presence causes decreased water transparency – blocking off the depth of which sunlight penetrates a
waterbody – and as the algae decay, increased microbial decomposition reduces dissolved oxygen –
leading to hypoxic and anoxic conditions (Paerl et al., 2001).
In addition to the detrimental environmental effects, algae blooms can pose a risk to humans and
animals if they consist of cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria, commonly referred to as blue-green algae, can
emit toxins into the water, causing serious illness and even death in humans (Lawton and Codd, 1991).
Aside from humans, cyanobacteria blooms have also been associated with fish kills (Rodger et al., 1994),
and the death of dogs (Backer et al., 2013). Although not all cyanobacteria are toxic, it is important to
test each bloom to confirm which strains are present and if toxins are a threat within the waterbody.
For SL, algal blooms have been reported in previous years; however, no bloom was sampled and
confirmed during the 2018 field season. Chlorophyll a – a proxy for biomass and indicator of potential
blooms – remained low throughout the summer and did not spike after fall turnover when nutrients
increased. In addition, algal blooms can occur in pockets, and it is possible that a bloom did occur, but
not at the sampling sites. Although no algal bloom was detected in 2018, the literature suggests an
increase in both size and frequency of algae blooms in the future (Michalak et al., 2013), therefore SL
may still experience algae blooms in years to come.
3.3. Pollution
Based on the low nutrient and bacteria concentrations, lack of detectable hydrocarbons and algal
blooms, and an oligotrophic-mesotrophic state of the lake, pollution appears to be minimal within SL.
Rainfall appears to be the biggest threat to water quality within the lake – affecting the seven inlet
streams via bacteria and nutrient levels. Though no effect was observed within the lake during the
rainfall events, the continued input from these streams may influence long-term productivity of the
lake.
Heavy metals within the lake sediments suggests that some degree of pollution does exist within the
lake. Although heavy metals do have natural sources, and the metal concentrations from SL sediment
are comparable to nearby sediment in Kejimkujik, concentrations for mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and
lead exceed CCME guidelines for aquatic life. The accumulation of heavy metals in SL sediment may be
exacerbated by development and atmospheric inputs originating from industry.
As the SL water quality is not heavily affected by human pollution – aside from long-term sediment
contamination - it is important to continue monitoring and highlighting changes in water quality within
the lake and its inlet streams, to ensure issues are identified and best management practices are
applied. In addition, as high metal concentrations have been found within SL sediment, sediment
analyses should also be included in long-term monitoring and management plans of SL.
36 | Page
4. Recommendations
The following recommendations are suggested for the SL Water Quality Monitoring Program, based on
the 2018 water quality results:
● The SL Water Quality Monitoring Program should continue in 2019 and beyond, as construction
of the public access site - and expected increased lake-usage - is expected to continue into
future years, and this program was developed to establish a water quality baseline to aid in
evidence based decisions concerning the development of the properties acquired by MODL for
public use.
o Sampling of the seven inlet streams should continue during rainfall-dependent events,
to determine how rainfall events are affecting inlet streams. Sampling of one lake site
during the rainfall-dependent event would also add information regarding how the
streams are influencing the lake during rainfall events.
o The program should consider purchasing a rainfall and water level gauge, to be set up
and monitored by volunteers, to provide volunteers greater decision-making tools when
trying to capture a rainfall-dependent sampling event.
● The Lake 4 site should be added to the 2019 water quality monitoring program, with a minimum
of hydrocarbons being sampled at the location.
● The addition of monitoring hydrocarbons in the sediment of sites Lake 3 and 4 should be
considered to track hydrocarbon loading at the lake bottom in areas with projected high traffic
and potential high contamination.
● The 2019 stream sediment sample should be obtained from a different inlet stream, to gather
more spatial information about nutrient and metal loading from the different streams
discharging into the lakes, especially to locate if one stream is contributing excess pollutants and
highly influencing lake sediment.
● Fecal bacteria testing should be switched from fecal coliforms to E. coli, as E. coli is Health
Canada’s primary indicator of fecal contamination.
● Monitoring of Chl 1 and Chl 2 sites should be ceased, as Lake 1 is close enough to both sites that
duplication of sampling should be avoided.
● Monitoring of Lake 1 bottom sediments should be undertaken to determine the levels of
phosphorus and metals in bottom sediments.
● Residents of SL should continue to be supplied with laboratory-certified bottles and sampling
procedures for the collection of water samples during an algae bloom.
o There should be emphasis in public education about the SL monitoring program, with
increased awareness of what blooms are, how they occur, what they look like, and
actions to take in the event of a bloom. Information should be shared with both
residents of the lake, and at the public access site for visitors of the lake.
o Caution should be advised to SL users during the fall, due to fall turnover and high
potential for an algal bloom – especially at the Lake 2 site.
37 | Page
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Gobler, C.J., Heil, C.A., Humphries, E. & Lewitus, A. (2008). Eutrophication and harmful algal blooms:
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Sherbrooke Lake Water Quality Monitoring
Communications Plan
March 14, 2019
Background
Sherbrooke Lake, located in Lunenburg County, is a 15-minute drive east of the community of New
Germany and a 35-minute drive north of Bridgewater. The lake is home to permanent residents,
lakefront cottages, and a summer camp; however, it does not currently have a dedicated space for the
general public to enjoy the lake.
For over three decades the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg has identified public access to large
bodies of water as a priority for its recreation network. In 2003 the Municipality developed and adopted
its Open Space Strategic Plan. The plan formalized a variety of priorities for acquiring and developing
open space recreational land. Public access to Sherbrooke Lake is one of the Municipality's top five open
space priorities. A park plan was presented to Council in October 2018.
A common theme in the open houses, in questions about objectives, and in the open-ended questions
was that the natural environment of Sherbrooke Lake—and its continued health—is very important to
respondents. Any public space on Sherbrooke Lake should be respectful of the natural environment and
be designed to enhance it.
As a response to the public concerns of Sherbrooke Lake’s health, a water quality monitoring program
was established in the spring of 2018. A group of trained volunteers, comprised of trained volunteers,
take field measurements and water samples each month from May to October. The monitoring program
is led by the Sherbrooke Lake Stewardship Committee, a group comprised of five citizen representatives
appointed by the Municipality of Chester and the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg. The group
receives technical support from Coastal Action. Both municipalities fund the program in support of their
desire to provide public access to Sherbrooke Lake.
Council priority
Open Space Strategic Plan
Approach
We will apply an integrated marketing communication approach, designed to achieve our objectives
through the use of paid advertising, public relations, community relations, social media and paid assets.
Consistent messaging will be delivered in all tactics and across all mediums.
Goal 1: To increase public awareness over time about current and changing water quality conditions in
Sherbrooke lake.
Goal 2: To focus public concern on the need to protect Sherbrooke lake water quality and associated
environmental conditions.
Goal 3: To reinforce the message that maintaining Sherbrooke lake’s current water quality is everyone’s
responsibility and that volunteering through the Stewardship committee is welcome.
Sherbrooke Lake Water Quality Monitoring
Communications Plan
March 14, 2019
Output-based Objectives
• Accurate and positive media coverage of key messages and program facts based on content
analysis of media coverage.
• Attendance at Summer 2019 open houses to exceed 30 people per open house.
• Reach 420 (100%) of households on Sherbrooke Lake (420 properties in total abutting the lake;
226 in MODL and 194 in MODC) through a direct mail letter with a call to action and educational
content
• Hits on web pages specific to the program will increase from 100 pageviews before March 5,
2019, to more than 500 pageviews by October 31, 2019.
Outcome-based Objectives
• Increase water quality monitoring volunteers by 3 people by October 30, 2019.
Solution Overview
Our research led us to pursue the following solutions:
1. Positive messaging
2. Focus on positive environmental change
3. Face to face communication
Tactic Responsibility Budget
Coastal Action Report Sarah M (Coastal Action) $0
Coastal Action One Pager Sarah M (Coastal Action) $0
Website content - FAQ Sarah M to write Questions, Sarah M and Committee
to write Answers, and additional Q&As, Sarah and
Jennifer to post on modl.ca and chester.ca
$0
News release Sarah K to write, distribute, Jennifer to approve,
Committee to approve
$0
Newspaper ads re: open house Sarah K to write, Committee to approve $400
Municipal Matters (MODL) &
Municipal Insight (MODC)
Sarah K to write, Committee to approve $0
Open houses Sarah K to organize, Committee to lead/speak. One in
New Ross and one in Parkdale Maplewood, in July on
a weekend
$600
Coastal Action’s reach (email, social
media, Coastal Chronical)
Sarah K to write, Committee to approve, Sarah
(Coastal Action) to distribute
$0
Posters distributed in the community Sarah K to have designed and printed, Committee to
distribute
$300
Carolyn’s Corner article in South
Shore Breaker
Sarah K to write, Committee to approve $0
Sherbrooke Lake Water Quality Monitoring
Communications Plan
March 14, 2019
Sherbrooke Lake Email List Sarah K to write, Committee to approve, Sarah to
send
$0
Direct mail to Sherbrooke Lake
homeowners
Sarah K to write, Committee to approve, Sarah to
arrange distribution
$300
Facebook content Sarah K to write, Committee to approve, Sarah to
post, Jennifer to post
$0
Facebook ads Sarah K to write, Committee to approve, Sarah to
post
$500
Total $2,000
Evaluation
We will know we were successful by:
• Accurate and positive media coverage of key messages and program facts based on content
analysis of media coverage.
• Attendance at Summer 2019 open houses to exceed 30 people per open house.
• Reach 420 (100%) of households on Sherbrooke Lake (420 properties in total abutting the lake;
226 in MODL and 194 in MODC) through a direct mail letter with a call to action and educational
content
• Hits on web pages specific to the program will increase from 100 pageviews before March 5,
2019, to more than 500 pageviews by October 31, 2019. (Sarah to check current pageviews)
• Increase water quality monitoring volunteers by 3 people by October 30, 2019.
Proposed Budget for 2019 Sherbrooke Lake Monitoring Program
Table 1 – Maxxam Analytics Laboratory analysis fees for the Sherbrooke Lake Monitoring Program for
May – October 2019.
Expenditure Cost Breakdown Total Cost
Sediment sampling at 4 sites $520.80 per site x 4 sites $2,083.20
Nutrient sampling for depth profiles
at 2 sites
$86.15 per site x 2 sites $172.30
Rainfall-dependent sampling at 7
inlet streams
$178.60 per site x 7 sites $1,250.20
Potential Cyanobacteria Toxin Testing $131.00 per sample
X 2 possible events
$262.00
6 monthly sampling events at 4 lake
sites and 4 bi-monthly inlet streams
Inlet streams: $178.60 per site x 4 sites
(+ 2 field replicates for QA/QC)
X 3 monthly sampling events
Lake sites: 178.60 per site x 3 sites (+ 2
field replicates for QA/QC)
Additional bacteria-only lake site:
$51.20 per site x 1 site
X 6 monthly sampling events
$8,880.00
Sub-total $12,647.50
15% HST (HST #: 14067 2106 RT 0001) $1,897.13
Total $14,544.63
Table 2 – Coastal Action fees for Sherbrooke Lake Stewardship Committee activities.
Expenditure Cost Breakdown Total Cost
AcuRite 01012M Remote Monitoring
Weather Station and Rain Gauge
$249.99/unit + $20/lithium batteries for
unit
$269.99
Staff participation in committee
meetings and council presentations
$100.00/meeting x 7 meetings $700.00
Staff participation in the Sherbrooke
Lake Open House
$250.00/day x 1 day $250.00
Development of 2019 water quality
report
$250.00/day x 8 days $2,000.00
Development of 2019 water quality
booklet
$250.00/day x 6 days $1,500.00
Staff services for 2019 volunteer
training
$250.00/day x 1 day $250.00
Project Management $250.00/day x 7 days $1,750.00
Sub-total $6,719.99
15% HST (HST #: 14067 2106 RT 0001) $1,008.00
Total $7,727.99
TOTAL 2019 PROGRAM: $22,272.62
Total 2018 Program: $24,535.25