Environmental risk factors for bacteriological contamination in rural drinking water wells in Samson Cree Nation
Bacteriological contamination of drinking water wells poses a challenge to many rural areas of First Nations communities in Alberta that rely on wells as the primary drinking water source for large proportions of their populations. Here we reviewed available historical data for the Samson Cree Natio...
| Published in: | Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering |
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Canadian Science Publishing
2018
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjce-2017-0241 http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/full-xml/10.1139/cjce-2017-0241 http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/cjce-2017-0241 |
| Summary: | Bacteriological contamination of drinking water wells poses a challenge to many rural areas of First Nations communities in Alberta that rely on wells as the primary drinking water source for large proportions of their populations. Here we reviewed available historical data for the Samson Cree Nation near Maskwacis, Alberta (formerly Hobbema), to identify linkages between various environmental and historical factors and the risk of contamination by Escherichia coli and total coliform bacteria. Increased bacterial counts were found to be associated with a peak in total precipitation and surface water flow following a two to four month lag period. Wells installed by contractors operating at an earlier period in time were also found to be at greater risk than more recent installations. These findings can be used to better characterize the risk of contamination, which will assist in tailoring remedial actions to address chronic or recurring bacteriological presence in wells. |
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