Environmental group 'alarmed' by E. coli results
Private firm found E. coli o157, high coliform counts and salmonella in several southern Alberta rural waterways near cattle
CBC News
Posted: Jun 26, 2012 1:59 PM MT
Last Updated: Jun 26, 2012 9:24 PM MT
Related
Related Stories
The results from water testing in several areas around Calgary are raising concerns for an environmental group.
Benchmark Labs, a private water testing firm in Calgary, found E. coli o157, high coliform counts and salmonella in several southern Alberta rural waterways near cattle.
E.coli o157 is the pathogen that led to the deaths of seven people in Walkerton, Ont., 12 years ago. Randy Christensen with Ecojustice, a national environmental advocacy group, calls the news alarming.
"One of the most important steps is keeping the water clean in the first instance and in this case based on the coverage that CBC has been giving it appears some feedlots or dairy operations are linked directly to the water ways.... That's certainly a problem so that's something that should be investigated," Christensen said.
Meanwhile, Alberta's Natural Resources Conservation Board says its system for protecting water has been strengthened and works well.
Share Tools
Latest Calgary News Headlines
- Calgary senator-in-waiting sees silver lining in scandal
- A senator-in-waiting from Calgary says the ongoing expenses scandal in Ottawa is not a reason to get rid of the upper house. more »
- SPCA investigates animal rescue farm near Calgary
- A farm that took in horses and other animals is under investigation by the Alberta SPCA. more »
- Alberta's beef industry: 10 years after mad cow crisis
- Alberta's beef industry is still in decline, with Canadians eating less of the meat and fewer producers raising cattle 10 years after BSE, or mad cow disease, savaged the industry. more »
- Campers pack up after long weekend
- Victoria Day marks the end of the first major camping weekend of the season and campsites were busy despite a gloomy forecast for southern Alberta. more »
Must Watch
Top News Headlines
- Oklahoma tornado recovery work begins after deadly storm
- Rescue teams searched through the night looking for survivors after a deadly tornado that flattened homes and two schools in an Oklahoma City suburb, and officials have now reduced the death toll from 51 to 24. WATCH LIVE: U.S. President Obama is scheduled to speak at 10 a.m. ET about the massive tornado. more »
- Harper 'upset' by conduct in Senate expense scandal
- Prime Minister Stephen Harper gave a televised address to his Conservative caucus this morning to comment on the Senate expenses controversy that prompted the weekend resignation of his chief of staff, Nigel Wright. more »
- Horwath will support Ontario Liberal budget
- Ontario voters may get some indication today from NDP Leader Andrea Horwath on whether the province is headed for a spring election. more »
- Keith Boag: Have you heard about the murderous abortion doctor?
- The gruesome trial and murder conviction of Philadelphia abortion provider Dr. Kermit Gosnell is unlikely to change American abortion law, Keith Boag writes. But it has U.S. journalists questioning their priorities and how they cover such a sensitive issue. more »
- Fearful Oklahoma families search for children
- The parents and guardians stood in the muddy grass outside a suburban Oklahoma City church, listening intently as someone with a bullhorn called out the names of children who were being dropped off — survivors of Monday's deadly tornado. more »
- Unlicensed teen ticketed for high-speed drive
- Campers pack up after long weekend
- Harper's constituents react to chief of staff's resignation
- Lethbridge massage therapist charged with sexual assault
- Edmonton driver, 62, charged in boy's patio death
- Alberta's beef industry: 10 years after mad cow crisis
- Police nab Calgary motorcyclist at 180 km/h
- Six campers rescued after getting lost in Kananaskis Country
- Town's historians collecting graveyard stories
