Metadata
Coliform risk has been fairly stable on agricultural lands in Canada, with the majority of agricultural land considered to be at low or very low risk. From 1981 to 2011, the level of risk has increased slightly, primarily attributed to an intensification of animal production in some regions, whereby more animals are being raised in the same or less land area than in previous years.
Use the interactive map below to zoom in and explore different regions. Note that in the Central Prairies, risk is considered to be very low, with pockets of moderate to high risk in parts of western Alberta and southern Manitoba. The areas with the highest risk are in the Mixedwood Plains region of southern Ontario and Quebec, as well as parts of the Appalachian region of Quebec.
In addition to exploring the 2011 values, click the play button to view changes over time. From 1981 to 2011, there has been a very steady increase in risk across the Prairies, most significantly in parts of Alberta and southern Manitoba. With the exception of some parts of the Appalachian region of Quebec and parts of southern Ontario, Eastern Canada has seen a stable or improving trend.
Generally speaking, the increases in risk observed between 1981 and 2011 were caused by an intensification of livestock production in parts of Alberta and southern Manitoba, despite a decrease in production at a national level. In Eastern Canada and the Maritimes, the shift from livestock (notably cattle and swine) to annual crop production has lowered the risk of coliform contamination. It is important to note that 2011 was an extremely wet year in terms of snowmelt and rainfall on the Prairies and for rainfall in the Maritimes, which significantly increased runoff volumes and consequently transportation of coliforms to surface waters. Coliform risk would have been lower in all regions in a drier or average year.
Use the interactive map below to zoom in and explore different regions. Note that in the Central Prairies, risk is considered to be very low, with pockets of moderate to high risk in parts of western Alberta and southern Manitoba. The areas with the highest risk are in the Mixedwood Plains region of southern Ontario and Quebec, as well as parts of the Appalachian region of Quebec.
In addition to exploring the 2011 values, click the play button to view changes over time. From 1981 to 2011, there has been a very steady increase in risk across the Prairies, most significantly in parts of Alberta and southern Manitoba. With the exception of some parts of the Appalachian region of Quebec and parts of southern Ontario, Eastern Canada has seen a stable or improving trend.
Generally speaking, the increases in risk observed between 1981 and 2011 were caused by an intensification of livestock production in parts of Alberta and southern Manitoba, despite a decrease in production at a national level. In Eastern Canada and the Maritimes, the shift from livestock (notably cattle and swine) to annual crop production has lowered the risk of coliform contamination. It is important to note that 2011 was an extremely wet year in terms of snowmelt and rainfall on the Prairies and for rainfall in the Maritimes, which significantly increased runoff volumes and consequently transportation of coliforms to surface waters. Coliform risk would have been lower in all regions in a drier or average year.
Summary
The Coliforms Indicator evaluates the relative risk of surface water contamination by pathogens from manure such as viruses, bacteria and protozoa, across agricultural areas in Canada.
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