LETHBRIDGE- Researchers at the University of Calgary are concerned, after early findings in a study focussed on water in the Red Deer and Oldman rivers.

Tests of the water in certain areas revealed hormone-like activity and chemicals found in things like birth control pills and hormone therapy drugs.

They also looked at the Long-nose Dace minnow, which in some cases had an 85-per cent female population, compared to the usual 55 to 60-per cent.

Doctor Lee Jackson with the U-of-C noted that they're worried that if the chemicals build up in the minnow's fatty tissues, then they may pass on even more of the chemicals to larger fish that eat them.

Jackson added that the next step in research will be determing what effects the water may have on other fish and animals, as well as humans.

He also commented that the information can hopefully be used to figure out how to better treat and clean out known chemicals in the water systems.

Jackson stated that in some situations the chemicals are getting into the water, because people are flushing un-used drugs down the drain, which the sewage system is designed to process and clean out. He added that cattle operations close to water ways also contribute to the problem, and even noted that bisphenol A, which is a chemical used in making plastics has been found in the water. He explained that it could be coming from a land-fill where the plastic is leaching into the soil.