Water Quality Studies
Baseline Water Quality Studies
Youth and young adults sample water at various sites identified by the community, testing for contaminants that affect drinking water and environmental water quality. The data collected belongs to the community and helps guard against future effects of water pollution.
LAWRENCE MAMEANSKUM
Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach
Water First Intern
We are currently working on a 5-year project with the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach to better understand the effects of a changing climate on local fish populations and to study contaminants in the water. With regular trips to Naskapi, our team members are able to stay connected with the young Indigenous interns, regularly assess the technical capacity needs, and provide training and support to address those needs.
Read the latest news from the Naskapi project.
Contaminant of Concern Studies
Water, sediment and fish samples are collected from lakes identified by the Indigenous community and analyzed in labs for water quality and contaminant levels. Local fishers catch the fish and are trained in sampling techniques for analysis. The data is owned by the community and the results are clearly presented to community members.