Saanich Inlet Protection Society (SIPS), in co-operation with Surfrider Foundation’s Blue Water Task Force, started testing water quality in Brentwood Bay in January 2026. The program is designed to detect potential sewage contamination by testing for bacteria. Sampling takes place monthly with some exceptions.
Sampling locations include streams, storm water drains and marine mooring fields in and around Brentwood Bay. A standard protocol used by Island Health in assessing water safety for swimming is used. All the work reported (sample collection, transport, analysis and reporting) is done by volunteers. Many others volunteered but have not yet been asked to work.
Results to date have shown high counts of enterococcus bacteria occur frequently in an area at the head of the bay around Sluggett Creek, Daphne Creek and Port Royale. A second area where high bacteria counts occur is south of the ferry terminal. SIPS has examined recent records from CRD surveys of storm drains (testing for E.coli) and Island Health surveys of swimming beaches. Both these surveys document a history of contamination at these same locations.
Anecdotal information suggests that this contamination is from sewage. However to trace the source it is helpful to distinguish human waste from faeces of other animals. For this purpose, we propose to test for the presence of caffeine. CRD Environmental Sciences have agreed to sample caffeine this summer in selected locations.
The program report can be downloaded by clicking the button below.
