Study finds contaminates in Northwest Territories drinking water

Drinking water in Canada's Northwest Territories contains higher levels of contaminants than when testing was carried out in 1985, a new study has revealed.

Fish located in a stream near Fort Good Hope were analysed for harmful chemicals by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Northern News Service Online reports.

Burbot from the Mackenzie River were found to have twice the levels of mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane than 25 years ago.

Commenting on the discovery, senior research scientist at the DFO's Freshwater Institute in Winnipeg Gary Stern said the fish are still being monitored.

"The most important thing is that we know that climate change is negatively affecting contaminant levels in those fish," he remarked.

CHBC News recently reported that Kalamalka Lake in British Columbia is becoming more contaminated, with local environmentalist Randy Schellenberg stating that a huge influx of visitors is causing pollution levels to rise.