NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: North Slave Region

Tags: water quality, social sciences, water monitoring

Objective(s): To understand how decision-making bodies can make the best use of water quality data from pre-existing water monitoring programs collected by various agencies within the Tlicho region.

Project Description: The overarching goal for this project is to understand how decision-making bodies can make the best use of water quality data from pre-existing water monitoring programs collected by various agencies within the Tlicho region now and in the future. In order to achieve this goal, the Principal Investigator (PI) plans to understand how decision-making bodies within the Tlicho region currently use water quality data to inform decisions that feed into the regulatory system. Secondly, to the PI will identify and understand, with the support of the Tlicho Government, the range of agencies currently using water quality data in the region, how water quality data is collected, stored, and used. Lastly, to the PI will identify ways decision-makers can use this information (i.e., integration of data sets, to inform water licence limits, improve sampling programs). The majority of the research will be desktop-based; however, if and when appropriate, it can employ qualitative research methods from the social sciences, including interviews, participant observation, and audio-visual recordings. For the desktop exercise the research team will identify decision making bodies that use water quality data sets and understand how they currently use these data sets to inform decision making and how they would like to use this data in the future. With the assistance of the Tlicho Government, the team will identify sources of water quality sampling programs in and through the Tlicho region that may impact surrounding Tlicho communities. Already existing data/information on water quality in and around Tlicho communities will be compiled from data from the Wek’èezhìi Land and Water Board (Communities & NICO), the Marian Stewardship Watershed Program, and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC), and any other programs identified. Data for the water quality that is collected will be displayed throughout the Tlicho Region. Sampling locations of various water programs within Tlicho Region and how water flows to and from the various sample sites will be mapped. Flow charts and diagrams on organization relationships and data/information storage and transfer will be developed. The research team will interview monitoring bodies and holders of water quality information from various agencies (CIRNAC, Tlicho Government, Wek’èezhìi Land and Water Board, etc.); and if available, attend and observe monitoring sites/data collection with various agencies. The majority of the research will be computer-based working with the Tlicho Government. Locals who participate in the research (e.g., who run or conduct water sampling within the Tlicho Region) will be important contributors in understanding the water quality monitoring in the area. Interviews can provide local opportunities to communicate some perspectives and exposure on water quality monitoring programs within the region. The research team is open to any suggestions for further opportunities to include local involvement in the research. At the end of this research study, the PI expect to prepare recommendations for the Tlicho Government on how water quality monitoring data can be used within the organization and to inform decision-making, communicating these results to the Tlicho Government upon my return to the Northwest Territories. In addition to making recommendations to the Tlicho Government, the PI plans to communicate results and any lessons learned to relevant and applicable bodies including but not limited to: the Land and Water Boards, community or territorial governments, and/or educational organizations as well through the plain-language research summary report that will be submitted to the Aurora Research Institute. The PI will also be available to contact either through email or phone to those interested in the results. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from June 26, 2019 to August 23, 2019.