Editor:
Re: Learning from Walkerton (March 7 issue of the Grand Forks Gazette)
The opinion editorial by Barry Brandow Sr. is misleading. The deaths in Walkerton, Ont. were undeniably tragic.
Unfortunately, they could have been prevented with improved water treatment facility protocols. The accused Walkerton rancher was a veterinarian who kept excellent records and had a long-standing Environmental Farm Plan in place, all of which helped investigators continue digging for the real cause of the tragedy, which was negligent water managers.
Yet, people like Mr. Brandow perpetuate the idea that ranching was the cause of Walkerton.
All too often, the finger is pointed at cattle, when the science proves otherwise. E. coli can be present in water at any time from a variety of sources.
A research study done in the B.C. Interior found fecal contamination from birds, canine, deer, elk, human, rodents and livestock.
This study identified through DNA testing that 83 per cent of E. coli came from wildlife sources, while cattle contributed between 1.3 and 9.2 per cent. This research was peer reviewed to be scientifically accurate and published in the Journal of Environmental Management.
Mr. Brandow’s suggestion that removing cattle from the watersheds is the answer will only give people a false sense of security.
Surface water is susceptible to contamination from many sources and therefore water treatment is the best protection for municipal drinking water.
Here is a link to the research mentioned above www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S030147970400129X.
Elaine Stovin, BC Cattlemen’s Association
