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Ottawa Citizen

Carleton researchers testing Rideau River water to fill in ‘knowledge gap'

Article content When Banu Örmeci was approached by community members about conducting more water quality testing in the Rideau River, she was more than happy to oblige. Article content The Carleton University researcher said the City of Ottawa typically does water testing only at a handful of beaches that are mostly along the Ottawa River. She said this left a 'knowledge gap' she was willing to fill. Article content Article content Article content 'I understand that (the city) focuses on the beaches,' Örmeci said. 'But there is a need.' Article content Article content Along with colleague Richard Kibbe, Örmeci has been conducting weekly water testing along the Rideau River until the end of the summer. The sites they're sampling have included Manotick Mill, Brewer Park, Windsor Park, Brantwood Park and Springhurst Park. Article content The first sampling of each location took place on June 26. Each sampling at these locations scored very low counts of E. coli and met provincial water quality standards. Article content To meet these standards, E. coli counts must be below 200 E. coli per 100 millilitres of water. The highest count from the researchers' testing was 80. Article content 'We simply measure the water quality but we do not make any recommendations about the recreational safety of the water,' Örmeci said. Article content In a statement to the Ottawa Citizen, Ottawa Public Health said they do water quality testing at Mooney's Bay. The city recently came under fire for making the controversial decision to reduce the number of times it tests the water quality at beaches to once a week. Article content Article content A few weeks ago, the National Capital Commission opened Dow's Lake to swimming for the first time in more than a century. That water will be tested five times a week. Article content Article content Local residents who live along Rideau River, however, would like to see testing at more points along the water way. Rick Burrowes, who lives near Springhurst Park in Old Ottawa East, said there are several access points along the 146-kilometre river that residents often use to go kayaking, paddle-boarding or even the occasional swim. Article content Burrowes said while he has enjoyed swimming in the Rideau River, he wanted to know how safe it was. He felt that others were hesitant to join him, but that they would be more likely to do so if they were aware of the quality of the water.