AB Surface Water Quality Guidelines

Question 1

What does effluent mean?

Answer 1

Outflow of water usually after treatment

Question 2

What does surface water refer to?

Answer 2

Standing and flowing waters, both natural and man made

Question 3

What does Biochemical Oxygen Demand refer to?

Answer 3

Measure of organic matter that enters a water system

Question 4

List what type of water the Environmental Quality Guidelines for Alberta Surface Water
applies to and does not apply to.

Answer 4

Applies to:
1) Science based recommendations
2) Establishment of effluent limits
3) Protection of water uses

Does not apply to:
1) Drinking water (this is regulated by Health Canada)

Question 5

What is the difference between a guideline and a site specific objective?

Answer 5

A guideline is a narrative that recommends how a specific use of water or aquatic life is protected.

A site specific objective that protects a specific use for a specified water and is managed.

Question 6

Describe a limitation of the guidelines used in the Environmental Quality Guidelines for
Alberta Surface Water

Answer 6

1) Do not account for interaction between substances such as food webs
2) Dealt on a case by case basis