Alberta has strengthened regulations, raised penalties, and deployed mussel-detecting dogs to safeguard the province’s water bodies from invasive species. Authorities are encouraging boat owners to utilize a new roadside dip tank for floating and flushing their watercraft, which is expected to enhance the efficiency of mandatory inspections at provincial entry points.
Alberta’s Environment Minister, Grant Hunter, highlighted the importance of prevention in combating invasive species during a demonstration of the tank near Medicine Hat. The dip tank, costing $1.2 million, is situated at a commercial truck weigh station resembling a standard boat launch. Boat owners can back their boats and trailers into the tank, where they fill and flush tanks with recycled, chemical-free water heated to over 40°C to eliminate any lingering mussels effectively.
Decontamination specialist Bill Fisher explained that a few minutes in the tank are adequate to cleanse hard-to-reach systems and eradicate any potential hitchhiking mussels. This method is a significant improvement over the traditional practice of manually inspecting and flushing tanks with a pressure washer. The new system is expected to save time and water, making inspections more efficient.
In recent years, Alberta has ramped up efforts to prevent the spread of mussels in the province. Fines for failing to stop at inspection stations have been increased to $4,200 from $324. The province allocates approximately $10 million annually to its inspection and prevention program to avoid the issues faced in other regions of North America. Invasive mussels like zebra and quagga can cause extensive damage to water bodies, necessitating strict measures to safeguard Alberta’s irrigation systems.
Richard Phillips, chair of the Alberta Irrigation Districts Association, emphasized the importance of ensuring that boats are “clean, drained, and dry” before moving them to prevent the introduction of microscopic larvae. The province is committed to staying mussel-free and has introduced innovative solutions such as the dip tank to streamline inspections and protect its waterways.
The tank, already in use in Utah, has been successful in containing invasive mussels and simplifying the decontamination process for boats. Alberta plans to explore the possibility of implementing similar technologies at its 11 other boat inspection stations. Additionally, discussions are underway to support the development of a mobile tank system being designed by academic and water groups in British Columbia to further enhance inspection capabilities.
The efficiency and effectiveness of these preventative measures are crucial in safeguarding Alberta’s water bodies from the harmful impacts of invasive species.
