New River

Watching pollution, 'bottom bugs,' and other signs in Charlotte County water

Watching pollution, 'bottom bugs,' and other signs in Charlotte County water

Wading into the clear water of the Magaguadavic River within sight of downtown St. George, Kalen Mawer notes all the signs of life: aquatic plants, mussel shells, tiny fish scattering with each splashing step. "That's a good thing," said Mawer, the aquatic science program manager at Eastern Charlotte Waterways. "If you get in and you're not seeing anything, then it's a bad sign." Mawer dips a plastic bottle into the river and carefully labels it with a Sharpie. She's out in hip waders near the Day Adventure Centre, collecting water samples to be tested for coliform and E. coli.