Wildlife Water Supply None proposed There is adequate protection from the aquatic life criteria. 5.0 to 9.5 pH does not interfere with the palatibility of water or the health of livestock. No irritation to eyes. Note that lakes with naturally low or high pH are not in contravention of the criterion. Industrial Water Supply None proposed See Canadian Water Quality Guidelines.
Criterion applies to marl or limed lakes only.
Temporary increases in pH to 9.5 for lake restoration projects is permitted as long as the maximum pH is not toxic to fish. The average is calculated from at least 5 weekly samples taken in a period of 30 days. If, at the downstream site, data from spills or discharge events are pooled with steady state data, the variance may increase and become dissimilar to the upstream site invalidating the two sample t-test. To reduce the variance, consider the data from the steady state and the event as independent data sets. Additional pH measurements, or a pH sensor with an automatic recorder are recommended for sites subject to event-driven pH fluctuations.