Swim Drink Fish Blog
Read the latest updates and news releases about community science, water monitoring, Artists for Water, and more.
Coronavirus detection: sample city sewage to help diagnose its presence and plan for preparedness
Why guess where the coronavirus is and how many people might be infected if we can use our wastewater systems to give us the facts?
Right now our communities, public policy experts, emergency services and planners want to know where and how far the coronavirus is spreading. Could we be sampling wastewater in our sewage systems to get that information?
A Citizen’s Guide to the Wastewater Data Published on the Open Government Portal
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has taken a tremendous step towards public transparency concerning sewage pollution in Canada. The release of the Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulation is key to inspiring change like the restoration of waters impacted by sewage pollution, and infrastructure upgrades in cities with combined sewer systems.
Environmental Commissioner urges the Ontario government to eliminate sewage pollution
Ontarians who care about clean water - which is basically everyone - got a show of support from the province’s independent environmental commissioner today. When Dianne Saxe released her third annual report this morning, she called on the province to do more to protect urban waters. An entire section of the Commissioner’s report examines combined sewage pollution in Ontario, mentioning the growing push for swimmable, drinkable, fishable water in Ontario.
Restoring our Great Lakes connection in 2018
When you live in the Great Lakes region, water shapes your daily life. Your health, your home and your job are a product of the lakes.This movement will help take us from an era of destruction to an era of restoration.
Here's a look at what our Great Lakes Community will talk about in 2018.
Report urges Canadian and US governments to do more to protect the Great Lakes
The International Joint Commission releases final report urging the Canadian and US governments to do more to protect the Great Lakes—with emphasis on improving and protecting swimmable, drinkable, fishable water.
Kingston launches really cool sewage overflow alerts website
Kingston becomes the first municipality in Ontario to provide real-time alerts for sewage overflows.
Toronto Harbour update: E. coli levels have dropped
After five straight trips resulting in off-the-charts E. coli levels, our most recent samples have come back with much better numbers.
Case Update: What’s happening in Toronto Harbour
Samples taken from Toronto Harbour this spring have been the "worst we've ever seen." Learn more about the results and just how much higher they are than accepted government standards.
The rain effect: when sewage hits the Toronto Harbour
Photos and water samples tell the story of what a combined sewer overflow looks like in the Toronto Harbour, and how it affects water quality.
A close look at flushability standards (or the lack thereof)
Don't let labels fool you, there are no such things as "flushable" wipes. Learn more about the push to set official flushability standards and what can be done in the meantime.