Water Quality Objective: A condition that represents parameter levels of low risk to water values. These objectives are set with the goal of protecting water values by maintaining existing water quality, improving existing water quality, or protecting water quality for a specific use.
Water quality parameter: Physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of a body of water. Parameters include measurable characteristics like contaminant levels, water temperature, turbidity, and others.
Water quality monitoring: Systematic sampling (collection of water, sediment, or animal tissue) and analysis to measure the chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of səlilwət. Learn more→
Coordinated monitoring: Collection, analysis, and use of data from multiple sources to track and improve water quality towards the goal of attaining the səlilwət / Burrard Inlet Water Quality Objectives. Such a collaborative, holistic approach would reduce data inconsistencies that obscure water quality trends. Learn more→
The overall vision of the səlilwət / Burrard Inlet Water Quality Objectives (as developed by the Burrard Inlet Water Quality Roundtable) is to increase the benefits of Burrard Inlet to all in the region by reducing stressors and improving water quality while balancing ecological, social, economic, health, and First Nation cultural values.
The water values to be protected in səlilwət include:
Water Quality Objectives reflect Tsleil-Waututh Nation’s aspiration to improve overall water quality and restore values and traditional uses throughout Burrard Inlet. Where appropriate, objectives for different water quality parameters—like cadmium in sediment or E. coli in water—are set to achieve or protect the water value most sensitive to that parameter. In this way, all water values will be protected through total achievement of Water Quality Objectives.
Although Water Quality Objectives are set to reduce risk associated with certain activities (e.g., swimming, shellfish consumption), their comparison with monitoring data does not indicate which activities are possible in which areas. Attainment of the Water Quality Objectives alone may not be sufficient to protect human health. Decisions on swimming, shellfish harvest area approvals, and other activities are made by the relevant health authorities.
Back to top↑səlilwət water quality monitoring has been conducted for more than 46 years, generating more than 300,000 observations across at least 479 sites. While the water quality data, including water, sediment, and tissue samples, are extensive, they are inconsistent in goals, location, methods, frequency, and reporting format. In 2026, Tsleil-Waututh Nation and BC ENV released water quality sampling and monitoring guidance to ensure data can be properly compared to Water Quality Objectives and used to assess progress toward objective attainment.
Coordinated monitoring program
Since the closure of the Burrard Inlet Environmental Action Program in 2013, there has been a vacuum in the coordination of environmental monitoring and programming in səlilwət. While updating the Water Quality Objectives, incompatible datasets from different monitoring efforts made analyses difficult, emphasizing the need for improved coordination. A coordinated monitoring approach would address these challenges through the centralized collection, analysis, and use of data from multiple sources to track and improve the progress toward attaining the objectives.
Tsleil-Waututh Nation has been a leader in convening diverse agencies that have stewardship responsibilities in səlilwət. Through conversations with these agencies, several key and desired aspects of a coordinated monitoring program for səlilwət have been identified, including underlying values and principles, data and reporting needs, structural elements and potential funding sources. The work to date by Tsleil-Waututh Nation and the Province of BC in updating the Water Quality Objectives serves as a strong foundation from which such a program can be developed.
Learn more about Water Quality Objective policy, contaminants in səlilwət, impacts of stormwater, and water quality monitoring efforts. Tsleil-Waututh Nation (TWN) has produced policy and contaminant reports, maps, user guides, and other resources to educate all audiences on səlilwət water quality and their role in cleaning the waters.
Find resources (TWN stewardship page)→
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