Status of water quality and water treatment
The Elk Valley Water Quality Plan is working.
Concentrations of selenium and nitrate have stabilized and are now improving. This is a result of over $1.5 billion of investment in water treatment and improved mining practices.
Conditions will continue improving as more water treatment is added. There is also an increasing emphasis on controlling the release of substances using improved mining practices, and this will further support better water quality and healthy ecosystems.
Click to view the latest water quality data and trends on the Data Dashboard and to learn about water treatment progress.
Elk Valley Water Quality Plan implementation
The Elk Valley Water Quality Plan is improving water quality in the Elk River watershed.
The Elk Valley Water Quality Plan and Permit 107517 are resulting in the following important actions:
- Four water treatment facilities are now operating, with a fifth facility permitted and expected to begin operating in the next year.
- Increasing amounts of selenium and nitrate are being removed from the Elk River watershed.
- Water quality targets are being met in many areas of the Elk Valley; however, selenium and nitrate amounts remain elevated in the Fording River and areas close to the mines.
- More water treatment facilities are being planned and constructed which will further reduce amounts of selenium and nitrate.
- New science and information are guiding EVR’s strategies to achieve Elk Valley Water Quality Plan goals and permit requirements.
- Research and development investments are ongoing to improve treatment and mining methods.
- Extensive monitoring and assessment programs are in place to track changes in aquatic ecosystems in the Elk Valley and Koocanusa Reservoir.
- B.C. is holding EVR accountable for meeting permit requirements with compliance and enforcement actions.
