Regulations, legislation, and guidelines for artificial surface water and groundwater tracer tests in Canada

Abstract

This paper describes Canadian federal and provincial regulations, legislation, and guidelines for artificial tracer tests, where substances are released into water, and provides a world-wide comparison. Alberta is currently the only Canadian province with guidelines and regulations relating to those tests. None of the other provinces have specific tracer test regulations in place, though the injection of artificial substances into waters is covered by Section 36(3) of the federal Fisheries Act. Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut sometimes require a permit to conduct a tracer test, and Quebec is planning to implement guidelines and regulations based on Michigan/USA Environmental Quality guidelines. In each case Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Environment Canada, and the Provincial environment departments should be contacted and the proposed test described as detailed as necessary. We present potential tracers, such as uranine (sodium fluorescein), or Rhodamine WT, that can be used in artificial tracer tests. This study is the result of contacting personnel from organizations such as Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, provincial departments of environment, researchers, and consultants.