Nitrate in Surface Water

Nitrate is a form of nitrogen. It can readily dissolve in water and can travel easily through soil to the water table.  As a result, nitrate is common in our groundwater, ponds, streams, and estuaries. 
 
Human activity is responsible for over 90% of the nitrates in many Island waterways. The main source of nitrate contamination is fertilizers and manures applied to agricultural lands.  Wastewater from sewage treatment (including municipal wastewater treatment and private septic systems), food processing, and other industrial activities are other nitrate sources
 
Nitrates in our streams, ponds, and estuaries cause an increased growth of plants and algae, including sea lettuce.  This process is called eutrophication.  In PEI, the common symptoms of eutrophication are:

• ponds and waterways choked with plants or algae growth (e.g., sea lettuce);
• discoloured water due to plankton (microscopic algae) blooms; and
• low dissolved oxygen levels and anoxic events. 

Information on nitrate is available: 

• Long-term nitrate trend information for PEI streams from the late 1960's to present;
• Nitrate data in the Surface Water Quality Database;
• Map of groundwater concentrations is available or you can query a database for your area;
• Graph of the long-term nitrate trends in groundwater; and
• Map of the reductions in nitrate loading needed to eliminate anoxic events and restore health to PEI estuaries.

What is being done about the issue?

The 2008 Report of the Commission on Nitrates in Groundwater describes the nitrate problem in PEI and recommends actions to deal with the issue. Nearly all of the recommendations involve changing land use practices to reduce nitrate loss. The needed changes can be achieved—but this will require the cooperation and support of all Islanders.

Some of the ways Government is helping to find solutions include:

• funding community watershed groups who work to improve local water quality; 
• nutrient planning on a watershed basis; and
• providing financial incentives to the farming community to help make nutrient reduction plans feasible, e.g. Alternative Land Use Services Program 

Who can I contact for more information?

Cindy Crane (Surface Water Biologist)
4th Floor, Jones Building
11 Kent Street
Charlottetown, PEI C1A 7N8
Telephone: (902) 368-5179
Fax: (902) 368-5830
Email:  cscrane@gov.pe.ca