Water Quality Concerns in Kingston

Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs)

  • Kingston is like many cities in North American and has an antiquated sewer system called a combine sewer system. When this system gets overwhelmed something called a bypass occurs, which is when untreated stormwater and sewage are directed into the Lake. When this happens E.coli levels can be extremely elevated and lead to an increased risk of waterborne illness.

  • Kingston is an excellent example of a city that has implemented mitigation strategies that greatly lower the concerns around CSO’s. They have implemented real-time monitoring and made sewer infrastructure improvements that have greatly lowered the amount of bypass and the volume of effluent that enters their water.

  • Swim Drink Fish continues to monitor the E.coli levels in Kingston and advocate for water and through collaboration with the City of Kingston we have been able to improve access to water and determine that E.coli levels around Kingston are often well below the recreatonal standard meaning it passes almost 100% of the time.

  • In Toronto The Wet Weather Flow Master Plan (WWFMP) has been made and is beginning to be implemented that aims to address the issue of CSO’s in the city. Although this plan will eventually address many of the areas that are heavily impacted by CSO’s, it had been slow to come into fruition and do not consider CSO’s in the West end of the city which currently deposit effluent into Lake Ontario, at some of the highest reported rates in the country

Climate Change

  • Climate Change is affecting Kingston’s Harbour by causing inconsistent and extreme changes in water levels, increased frequency and intensity of wet weather events, and rising water temperature. These issues lead to expedited shoreline degradation, local flooding, and increased sewage pollution events, all of which affect people’s ability to access and enjoy the water. Wildlife is also affected by the effects of climate change through an increase in invasive species and decreased water quality.

  • Reduce your greenhouse gas footprint: Although the most commonly cited way to reduce your greenhouse gas footprint is by driving less frequently, there are many ways to do so. Eating locally reduces the carbon needed for transportation of foods, eating a plant-based diet reduces harmful methane gasses caused by red meats, and think about skipping a plane on your next vacation and instead taking it closer to home.

    Support restoration and protection of carbon-rich areas: some ecosystems remove and store a lot of harmful greenhouse gasses. We must cherish those ecosystems, as they help reduce the effects of climate change. Great ways to do this is to restore the degraded ecosystems back to their natural state, and to protect those that are intact.

    Monitor the health of your local ecosystem: monitoring the health of local ecosystems is a great way to determine how we need to help it adapt to climate change.

    Connect with the Outdoors: Spending time in the outdoors and encouraging others to do the same will create advocates for protecting it.

    Discover ways to help your community adapt: Many communities have climate change adaptation plans. Learn about the one in your community and give your input for this changing world.

  • Swim Drink Fish’s water monitoring will help track the effects of climate change in our waterways to help communities determine where best to focus their adaptation plans. Our water literacy work additionally helps community members connect with their waterways and become stewards of their own water bodies.

  • Canadian Climate Institute: are Canada’s leading climate change policy research organization.

    Government of Canada’s Net Zero Emissions by 2050: Discusses the federal targets of emissions reductions

    Ontario’s Emissions Performance Standards: is the revised plan Ontario has put forth to reduce emissions by 30% by 2030 ​​https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-5316#supporting-materials

    Canadian Climate Institute: are Canada’s leading climate change policy research organization.

Cladophora Algae

  • Cladophora is a thin, green, hair-like algae that forms in dense mats. Cladophora grows best in shallow, clear, nutrient-enriched water with hard surfaces to attach to (like submerged logs or rocks).

    Cladophora blooms happen due to a number of factors. They have been linked to high phosphorus levels in the water which can result from lawn fertilizers, agricultural and urban runoff, and septic and sewage treatment systems.

    Cladophora algae is not toxic like some other types of algae are . However, Cladophora is considered a nuisance algal bloom and it poses substantial problems for recreation, industry, and wildlife. Cladophora algae fouls and stinks up beaches, making water activities like swimming or paddling undesirable. It clogs industrial and municipal water intakes and gets caught in commercial fishing nets, too. The blooms also degrade marine habitats and kill fish by depleting oxygen levels in the water.

  • Report Cladophora Algae sightings: Reporting any Cladophora algae you find can help to inform governments and organizations on their presence and will be important for developing management plans.

    Phosphorus management: Phosphorus is one of the main contributors to the surge of Cladophora algae in the Great Lakes. Managing and reducing phosphorus use can help to limit its presence along shorelines in Kingston and lessen its environmental impacts.

    Identifying and Reporting Invasive Mussels: Invasive mussels, like zebra mussels, develop the perfect environment for Cladophora to grow. Reporting sightings at your local beach can help authorities identify and take steps of action to prevent these invasive species from spreading further.

    Reducing runoff: Runoff of fertilizers and pesticides spread significant amounts of nutrients into freshwater bodies, providing opportunity for Cladophora algae to grow. Taking steps to reduce runoff in your local community or city can help to limit more growth of harmful algae.

    Combating Climate Change: Working to reduce pollution and your own carbon footprint can help to prevent the development and spread of more Cladophora algae due to warming conditions.

  • Swim Drink Fish’s water monitoring hub takes environmental observations around Kingston which will help in tracking and identifying the areas where Cladophora algae is most often found. We also provide a platform through Swim Guide for individuals to report sightings of Cladophora algae on the beaches they visit.

  • Niagara Coastal: Through their VAST survey platform they track presence and absence of Cladophora algae all across the Great Lakes.

Historical Contamination

  • The Kingston harbour was once heavily industrialized which has led to contamination of river sediments, buried waste and some areas with both contaminated soil and groundwater. Significant investigation has been completed with a major focus on the Belle Island Landfill site and it has been found that these contaminants have little impact on surface waters. Although this is great news for recreators in the water, it is important to understand where these contaminants are, and what they are, so they can continue to be monitored to ensure they remain a low risk to water users.

  • Coming Soon!

  • Swim Drink Fish’s Kingston Monitoring Hub actively samples sites with a history of contamination and continued environmental and safety impacts throughout the summer seasons. We provide the public with up-to-date information about the quality of the water and the impacts the sediment may be having on a weekly basis. We also aim to bring attention to the potential negative impacts of this contamination and raise awareness in the Kingston community through outreach and programs with our partner, The Kingston Marine Museum of the Great Lakes.

  • Government of Canada - They have identified this as an area of concern and the environmental assessment is underway