The Hammond River Angling Association (HRAA) is a non-profit environmental organization, whose mandate is “to protect and preserve the Hammond River watershed through education, conservation, and community interaction.”. The Hammond River is “a valuable tributary of the Wolastoq-Saint John River.”
Recently (Sep 19, 2024) the HRAA made a post on their Facebook page describing how they collected samples from various waters to test for glyphosate using an in-house rapid testing technique, and presented some of the results.
Given the many concerns and activities related to spraying of glyphosate on NS forests, I thought the technique, their approach to using it, their interpretation of the results and some of the ensuing discussion, all well and responsibly presented, would be of interest to readers of NS Forest Matters. So I asked permission to reproduce the post, the request graciously granted. – david p
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Our field team recently collected water samples from various waterbodies within the Shepody area, including samples from Big Salmon River, Little Salmon River, and Walton Glen Brook for our in-house rapid testing to determine glyphosate absence/presence in freshwater resources.
Our in-house sampling equipment provides us with rapid results with quantitative detection limits ranging from 0.002mg/L to >0.5mg/L. It is important to note that our equipment is limited in quantitative results above 0.5mg/L- if a sample contains 100mg/L of glyphosate, our equipment will only provide us with a result of >0.5mg/L.
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Out of 15 total sites, 12 tested positive for glyphosate presence, and out of these 12 positive tests, 5 of these samples resulted in >0.5mg/L. While our goal is to submit replicate samples for certified laboratory analysis when tests result in readings of >0.5mg/L, we have limited financial resources for costly laboratory analysis for every sample we collect- as a result, we did not submit replicates for laboratory analysis during this round of sample collection. Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Life is set at 0.8mg/L, and these 5 samples with results of >0.5mg/L may (or may not) have exceeded this Guideline.
Out of 15 total sites, 9 positive samples do indeed exceed Protection of Drinking Water Guidelines (set at an allowable maximum of 0.28mg/L); however, it is important to note that these 9 sites are not used for drinking water purposes. One site, labelled as “Shepody Road Drinking Spring”, is a groundwater spring in which someone has placed a pole with a drinking cup on top- a sample was collected from this spring, and it was negative for glyphosate presence. Please note that we did not test this drinking water spring for bacterial/metal presence- only glyphosate- so drinking from this freshwater spring would be ‘use at your own risk’.
Out of 15 total sites, 3 positive samples do not exceed either Protection of Drinking Water Guidelines or Protection of Aquatic Life Guidelines.
Our next round of sampling will focus on Mechanic Settlement, Donegal, and surrounding areas, including the South Branch of the Kennebecasis River, Pollett River, and Pointe Wolfe River. This next round of sampling will include replicate sampling for laboratory analysis for approximately 2-3 samples that result in >0.5mg/L with our rapid testing equipment, and our results from our in-house rapid testing, as well as replicate laboratory sample results, will be published on our site!
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From the Comments
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DGP: Can you say what is your rapid results procedure/testing ,where does it come from?
SB to DGP: We are using an in-house test kit called Glyphosate-V, and the equipment was ordered from the US. Laboratory analysis will be performed at the RPC Lab in Fredericton. I’ll attach the info sheet on the rapid test kit we are using, which highlights the analysis procedure. We are collecting samples post-rainfall events, downstream of glyphosate applications. Samples are labelled and stored in a cooler/fridge until we process the samples.
CLD: They may not be official drinking water sources, but a number of hikers would be using some of these water courses for their drinking water while hiking in the Fundy area, so this is definitely important information for those groups! I have shared applicably. Thanks for doing this work
AAC: One cannot really say for sure that the 9 sites “are not being used for drinking purposes” as there could be underground fissures leading to underground pockets of water feeding residential wells; and they don’t have to be in the immediate vicinity as water can travel for miles underground and end up in underground lakes that feed wells!
SP: The Markhamville stretch of the Hammond River was considered a level “A” quality of water (highest/best) when tested by the HRAA in 2009. Do you have such data on record?
On Friday September 13th 2024, a contractor for NB Power was drawing water for mixing with glyphosate. Would they have needed to need to request a permit to do such water extraction?
SB to SP: Yes- they would have needed a WAWA Permit (Watercourse & Wetland Alteration) in order to be pumping water from the river. “Alterations requiring a watercourse and wetland alteration permit: draining, pumping, or otherwise withdrawing water from a watercourse or wetland.” I’ll reach out to DELG to see if a Permit had been issued for the purpose of pumping water in that area… Thanks for sending this in.
WU NB: Bet there is not a good gut biome left between the lot of us. I haven’t felt confident to eat a fish out of our rivers in years. It is active ‘spraying season’ in NB. Spray Map from last year: https://www.conservationcouncil.ca/2023-hotspots-for-herbicide-spraying-in-n-b/
WLA: Make sure the sampling is done a couple of days after a rain other wise no use
SB to WLA: Yes- samples are collected after rainfall events
LW: This news is scary to me! I am not familiar with the characteristics of glyphosate after effects. I am an Environmental technologist tho so I understand this but we are so dry right now. What will those ppm numbers be after heavy rains? Has that much chemical been absorbed into the ground?
SB to WLA: These samples were collected after the last rainfall event last week.
JH: Any recent data from the Hammond river upstream?
SB to JH: After the next rainfall, samples will be collected from Markhamville & Hammondvale sites in the river, before we head towards Mechanic Settlement/Donegal areas
JK: On a topic fraught with emotion, fear and anger I am very appreciative that you’ve all made the investment required to collect and present this data.
Is there a way for the public to contribute funds towards lab analysis of future samples?
BL to JK: exactly my thought. What’s the cost of a lab analysis? Can we donate?
SB to BL & JK: Lab analysis will be done through the RPC Lab in Fredericton- each sample is $208, plus tax and shipping, so we’re estimating ~$240/sample. This cost is based on glyphosate analysis exclusively, not including analysis for any other herbicides. We do have some funds which will cover 10 samples for laboratory analysis. I’ll discuss with my team on donations/public contributions towards Lab fees- to discuss this further, you can email me at projects@hraa.ca
As for reccomending a test kit specific to drinking/well water- I’d suggest either RPC, or perhaps check out the website for mytapscore.com
Given that glyphosate testing in freshwater is a new undertaking for us, and we haven’t done well/drinking water sampling, I can’t really reccomend, with confidence, which is best for drinking water purposes at this time- we’re still researching and learning on this topic 🙂