Vancouver Hub Monitoring Sites
The Vancouver Hub is monitoring three sites in the 2023 summer season. As well as the weekly monitoring activities, Swim Drink Fish conducts an Environmental Health and Safety Survey (EHSS) that provides foundational knowledge of the site. EHSS’s assess the hazards at the beach and provide an overview of the beach’s operations. Explore the EHSS’s for Vancouver’s sample sites below!
New Brighton Park
New Brighton Park is one of the only beaches on the Eastside of Vancouver. The park is well used, however the park users are disconnected from the waterbody due to water quality concerns. There is a nearby sewer outflow and other pollution concerns due to nearby industry.
Volunteer Park
This Westside Vancouver beach is the best beach access between Kits Beach and Jericho. Popular in the summer for beach sitters, swimmers, and other recreational site-users. We monitor this park because of a nearby sewer overflow.
Kitsilano Beach
Kitsilano Beach, known as "Kits" Beach, is located on Cornwall Ave at the north end of Yew St. The Seawall runs along side the beach and Kitsilano Pool is at the west side. This is a popular beach in Vancouver, but has a sewage outflow nearby. Swim Drink Fish monitors this beach in the winter season.
Vanier Park Boat Ramp
The boat ramp at Vanier Park is well-used by water-users launching their motorized boats, kayaks and canoes. The launch is accompanied by a beach, where site users may relax and enjoy the water’s edge. There is a nearby sewer overflow site, which is why we monitor water quality here.
How do we know where to sample?
~ The site is a place where people recreate in the water (swimming, fishing, boating etc.)
~ The site is not currently monitored or is under monitored
~ The site may be vulnerable to pollution that could degradade the water quality and negatively impact it’s function as a habitat