Photo: Kate Bouey

Scientists are lending a hand in the City of Vernon's effort to improve water quality in local streams and beaches around Okanagan Lake.

The announcement follows complaints about the number of Canada geese that have invaded local beaches.

In an effort to identify threats to health, a project teamwill conduct genetic identification of feces (E. coli) and whether its source is human, dog, livestock, waterfowl or something else.

A leading expert in water quality, Professor Asit Mazumder of the University of Victoria will help identify the bacteria and assess stream health.

“In addition to the genomic information provided by Dr. Mazumder, we will work with experts on stream hydrology and water quality to complete field work, provide context with appropriate metadata and deliver effective monitoring tools,” said Mark Dowhaniuk, the city's infrastructure manager.

“Genomics will have major utility in future water quality testing,” said Catalina Lopez-Correa, vice president at Genome BC. “Implementation of the tools developed by this project is assured because the City of Vernon is mandated by provincial legislation to work towards improving watershed health.”

The cost of the $100,000 research project is being shared by the City of Vernon and Genome BC.