Government departments will meet regularly to address Parlee Beach water quality

The departments of health, tourism, heritage and culture, and environment and local government will be meeting regularly over the coming months to address "water quality issues" at Parlee Beach, says Health Minister Victor Boudreau.

His comments come on the heels of a new report by the Shediac Bay Watershed Association, which points the finger for repeated poor water-quality ratings this summer at the province's most popular beach at various sources of fecal contamination in the water of Shediac Bay, including humans, dogs and cows.

When questioned during the summer, Boudreau said there was no plan to address the water problems.

In a statement to CBC News on Friday, he said: "The input of community stakeholders will be an important part of establishing the key issues and determining what outcomes can be achieved both longer term and before the next beach season."

The report by the Shediac Bay Watershed Association will help, he said.​

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Parlee Beach made headlines this summer for having more days where the water quality was rated poor than good in the peak tourist season, prompting calls from citizens for the province to take action.

For the association's study, samples were collected at five spots in Shediac Bay for DNA analysis last month.

Dog DNA was found at all sites. Human feces was found at Parlee Beach, Pointe-du-Chêne wharf and Shediac Bridge. Cow feces was found at Scoudouc and Shediac Bridge. Pig DNA was found at Scoudouc and gull DNA was found at Pointe-du-Chêne.

The two sites that had the highest fecal coliform bacteria counts were Parlee Beach and Pointe-du-Chêne.

Cottages, boats potential culprits

Shediac Bay Watershed Association manage Remi Donelle said the study raises more questions about just how the feces is getting into the water.

''In some areas around the bay, some cottages are older and may not have septic systems that are up to code," said Donelle.

Donelle also believes boats may be a big concern.

''There's a lot of boats that go on Parlee Beach. Both marinas have pump out stations, but it's definitely a question we have — are they used? Because they can dump directly raw sewage in the bay.''

Donelle said the association plans to take steps to reduce impact from boats next summer, including working with marinas and boaters, but he said septic systems will be more difficult to control.

Donelle also plans to work with farmers to reduce the amount of animal feces that ends up in the bay. 

Campsites to blame?

Information Morning - Moncton8:40Remi Donelle - Water contamination

The manager of the Shediac Bay Watershed Association spoke to the CBC's Gabrielle FahmyDespite the controversy over new trailer parks in the area and whether they contribute to poor water quality, Donelle said he doesn't necessarily see a link.

''The sewage will be treated. And the permits wouldn't have been given if the sewage system wasn't capable of handling it.''

Mount Allison University biology professor Douglas Campbell plans to get more answers on the source of fecal contamination at Parlee Beach in the winter semester as part of a class project for his environmental microbiology course. 

He said over-development can't be ruled out completely, although it's not a black and white issue.

''Take a look at Google Earth,'' said Campbell. ''There's a lot going on on that shore.''

''In and of itself, development is not necessarily a problem. It really depends on the quality of the development, and how much effort and thought people put into the wastewater treatment.''

Campbell said the fact that fecal bacteria was found in October, outside the tourist season, is very telling.

''The simple baseline activity in that region is still generating measurable significant contamination in multiple sites,'' said Campbell, adding that the results are more indicative of a systemic problem, than something related to the number of bathers or trailers.

''The wide prevalence of fecal contamination from dogs is one indicator that people need to be aware, that trivial things, like picking up after your dog, could have a serious implication for the quality of that beach,'' said Campbell.

In 1999, a report by the Shediac Bay Association pointed the finger to several culprits contributing to sewage being dumped in the bay, including popular restaurant Captain Dans and the Lobster Shop. 

Donelle said those issues were dealt with at the time and water quality improved, but it seems problems that need to be addressed again are creeping back up.

''These are world class beaches,'' said Campbell. These are real natural treasures. Touristic treasures. And I think it's incumbent on us to try to keep them clean.''