Northwest Community college biology students are looking for ways to keep Lakelse Lake cleaner in the years to come.
As part of their studies in the Biology 211, Principles of ecology course the five students have been tasked with duties to assist the Kitimat Stikine Regional District to develop a more effective septic disposal process for properties located close to the popular recreational area.
The Daily News featured their work with a story in Thursday’s paper.
College students work to make lake cleaner
By Kris Schumacher
The Daily News
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Pages one and three
Five students at Northwest Community College have conducted research that will help keep Lakelse Lake cleaner in the future.
The five biology students conducted a preliminary land survey surrounding Lakelse Lake that will contribute to the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine’s efforts to develop more effective septic disposal options for properties next to the lake.
The regional district has undertaken a Liquid Waste Management Plan to resolve concerns regarding domestic waste water from septic tanks potentially impacting water quality in Lakelse Lake, a spot that students from Roosevelt Park Community School visit each year for an educational nature retreat with outdoor instructor Peter Loy.
The purpose of the new Liquid Waste Management Plan is to identify sewage issues and concerns, evaluate options and implement preferred solutions, as many of the septic systems around the lake are within the flood plane and/or the 30 metre minimum setback distance from the lake and do not meet present standards.
“Lakelse Lake is a popular residential and regional recreational area for activities such as swimming and fishing and provides value for all of Northwest B. C.,” said Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine Planner Ted Pellegrino.
“This project, therefore, is important not only to the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine but to the local communities and the entire region.”
The Biology 211 Principles of Ecology course is under the direction of instructor Dr. Norma Kerby.
The NWCC students involved were Tracey Sam, Amrita Gill and Brianna Benzer from Terrace, Anna Rei-Jones from Smithers and Janis Webb from Prince Rupert. They conducted a preliminary survey of potential sites to build new cluster sewer treatment systems.
The concept of cluster systems is to collect wastewater from a number of septic systems and treat the wastewater at a location with the appropriate soil condition, distance and elevation from the lake.
“The student’s research saved us a lot of work by ruling out potential areas we otherwise wouldn’t have known to exclude, and we appreciate the work of Dr. Kerby and her class,” Pellegrino said.
“We’ll now take their information to a higher level by focusing in on the sites the students identified and conducting additional investigation.”
The students’ research involved studying maps and investigating the west side of Lakelse Lake. After studying the forest and ground, taking and testing soil samples and percolation rates for seven potential sites, the students concluded two of the sites were potentially suitable to accommodate cluster septic systems.
“It was a really good experience.” said Tracey Sam, University Credit student and project participant. “The field trips made it easier to understand the concepts we were learning in the course. Also, the class was small, which gave us the chance to work closely together as one group. We end our days thinking, “This is fun.”
As part of their studies in the Biology 211, Principles of ecology course the five students have been tasked with duties to assist the Kitimat Stikine Regional District to develop a more effective septic disposal process for properties located close to the popular recreational area.
The Daily News featured their work with a story in Thursday’s paper.
College students work to make lake cleaner
By Kris Schumacher
The Daily News
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Pages one and three
Five students at Northwest Community College have conducted research that will help keep Lakelse Lake cleaner in the future.
The five biology students conducted a preliminary land survey surrounding Lakelse Lake that will contribute to the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine’s efforts to develop more effective septic disposal options for properties next to the lake.
The regional district has undertaken a Liquid Waste Management Plan to resolve concerns regarding domestic waste water from septic tanks potentially impacting water quality in Lakelse Lake, a spot that students from Roosevelt Park Community School visit each year for an educational nature retreat with outdoor instructor Peter Loy.
The purpose of the new Liquid Waste Management Plan is to identify sewage issues and concerns, evaluate options and implement preferred solutions, as many of the septic systems around the lake are within the flood plane and/or the 30 metre minimum setback distance from the lake and do not meet present standards.
“Lakelse Lake is a popular residential and regional recreational area for activities such as swimming and fishing and provides value for all of Northwest B. C.,” said Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine Planner Ted Pellegrino.
“This project, therefore, is important not only to the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine but to the local communities and the entire region.”
The Biology 211 Principles of Ecology course is under the direction of instructor Dr. Norma Kerby.
The NWCC students involved were Tracey Sam, Amrita Gill and Brianna Benzer from Terrace, Anna Rei-Jones from Smithers and Janis Webb from Prince Rupert. They conducted a preliminary survey of potential sites to build new cluster sewer treatment systems.
The concept of cluster systems is to collect wastewater from a number of septic systems and treat the wastewater at a location with the appropriate soil condition, distance and elevation from the lake.
“The student’s research saved us a lot of work by ruling out potential areas we otherwise wouldn’t have known to exclude, and we appreciate the work of Dr. Kerby and her class,” Pellegrino said.
“We’ll now take their information to a higher level by focusing in on the sites the students identified and conducting additional investigation.”
The students’ research involved studying maps and investigating the west side of Lakelse Lake. After studying the forest and ground, taking and testing soil samples and percolation rates for seven potential sites, the students concluded two of the sites were potentially suitable to accommodate cluster septic systems.
“It was a really good experience.” said Tracey Sam, University Credit student and project participant. “The field trips made it easier to understand the concepts we were learning in the course. Also, the class was small, which gave us the chance to work closely together as one group. We end our days thinking, “This is fun.”
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