Caffeine in the water might sound like a dream come true to some, but it is a growing concern.
The Portugal Cove-St Philip’s Green Team is back to work for the fourth straight year testing waterways in the town, and this year, they’re taking it a step further.
The Green Team is looking for nitrates and phosphates in waterways that contribute to blue-green algae – that can sometimes be toxic. Most of their work is focused on Miller’s Pond.
Green Team leader Samara Bugden says they are also looking for caffeine, something that can only come from a human source. It will also help explain how well septic systems throughout the town are working, as there are a number of new developments in the area along with new housing.
Bugden says studies from previous years led them to test for caffeine.
She says they have been able to gather more and more information through testing for nitrates and phosphates. This year on the recommendation from last year’s data, they added the caffeine analysis to have a look at where these problems are coming from.
Budgen says since caffeine shouldn’t exist in these systems naturally, if they discover the presence of caffeine, it can be an indicator of the cause of these issues in the waterways.
The testing will continue until August 23rd.
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Header image courtesy Conservation Corps Newfoundland and Labrador