Sharon. From: Sent: To: Subject:

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1 Sharon From: Sent: To: Subject: Attachments: Kathy Racher - WLWB [racherk@wlwb.ca] Thursday, April 08, :27 AM 'Anne Wilson'; 'Bill Ross'; 'Bruce Hanna'; 'Chris Heron '; 'Dora Enzoe'; 'Eddie Erasmus'; 'Eric Denholm'; 'Erika Nyyssonen'; Gavin More; 'Geoff Clarke'; GNWT; 'IEMA'; Iris Catholique; Jane Fitzgerald; 'Jason Brennan'; John Donihee; Julian Kanigan; Karin Clark; Karl Schubert; 'Kathleen Racher'; Kerri Garner; 'Kevin O'Reilly'; 'Kevin Tweedle-KIA'; Krystal Thompson; 'Lionel Marcincoski'; 'Lorraine Seale'; 'Louie Azzolini-YKDFN'; Luigi Torretti; 'Marc Casas'; Mark Cliffe-Phillips; 'Nathen Richea '; Patty Ewaschuk; 'Rachel Crapeau'; 'Registry'; 'Richard Ehlert'; RobbM@inac.gc.ca; Ryan Fequet; 'Sheryl Grieve'; Sonya Almond; 'Stephen Ellis'; 'Tli Cho Lands Protection Department'; Todd Slack; 'Velma Sterenberg'; 'Bruce, David DG' BHPB request for change to SNP testing BHPB Submission - SNP change request for bacterial testing - Mar pdf; BHPB Submission - Supporting rationale for SNP change request - Mar pdf BHPB Submission - SNP change r... BHPB Submission - Supporting r... Hi Everyone, Attached is a request, with supporting documentation, from BHP Billiton to change one aspect of the Surveillance Network Program (SNP) of the EKATI water licence, W2009L The change relates to the requirement for monitoring bacteria (due to the discharge of treated sewage); specifically, BHPB requests replacing the Faecal Coliform and Faecal Streptococci test requirements with tests for Total Coliforms and Escherichia coli. The rationale for this request can be found in the attached documents. Board staff believe that this request is straightforward and reasonable; therefore, no formal review process is recommended. However, if any party wishes to comment, ask questions or initiate a formal review process, please contact me by April 22, Thanks, Kathy Kathleen Racher, Ph. D., Technical Director Wek'eezhii Land and Water Board Tel: Fax: racherk@wlwb.ca WLWB 1

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4 April 20, 2009 BHP Billiton EKATI Diamond Mine ATTENTION: Mr. Richard Ehlert Dear Mr. Ehlert RE: Replacement of Fecal Streptococci/Fecal Coliforms with Total Coliforms/E.Coli The original licensing requirements for the BHP EKATI Mine requires quarterly monitoring of their Sewage Treatment Plant effluent for Fecal Coliform and Fecal Streptococci. The remoteness of the mine laboratory has presented some serious challenges in both meeting the 48 hour holding time requirement for fecal streptococci and finding an environmental laboratory that still performs Fecal Streptococci analysis. The Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation Inc. (CALA), that provides accreditation of most environmental analyses, does not provide accreditation for fecal streptococci. In reviewing the rationale for fecal streptococci, the ratio of Fecal Coliform to Fecal Streptococci was believed to provide a way of differentiating between human and animal fecal matter. In the opinion of ALS, and other professionals contacted outside of ALS, the differentiation proposed does not hold true and is based on an outdated and unreliable Fecal Streptococci test. The Canada-wide strategy for the management of waste water effluent references monitoring for E.Coli (and not fecal streptococci). In addition to this, the Health Canada drinking water requirements for safe drinking water suggest monitoring Total and E.Coli coliforms for the protection of human health. On the basis of the information above, we would like to recommend replacing Fecal Streptococci/Fecal Coliform testing with Total Coliform/E.Coli testing. Several added advantages of analyzing for Total Coliform/E.Coli are that the testing is more commonly available in environmental testing laboratories in close proximity to the Ekati Mine site (ie ALS Yellowknife) and therefore holding times are achievable plus the test is available for CALA accreditation. Part of the 1988 Triumph St. Vancouver BC Canada V5L 1K5 Phone Fax A Campbell Brothers Limited Company

5 Please contact us if you have any concerns or questions. Yours sincerely Tim Crowther, M.Sc. Regional Client Services Manager ALS Laboratory Group