Swim Drink Fish Blog
Read the latest updates and news releases about community science, water monitoring, Artists for Water, and more.
PRESS RELEASE: Lake Ontario Waterkeeper Releases 2nd Annual Toronto Harbour Report
TORONTO, ON - Lake Ontario Waterkeeper’s 2nd Annual Toronto Harbour Report launched on Wednesday to a crowd of volunteers, donors and community stakeholders. The report summarized Waterkeeper’s findings and offers recommendations that will help to protect Toronto Harbour and water users. It highlighted the continued problem with raw sewage pollution from Toronto’s combined sewage outflows within the inner harbour.
Gord Edgar Downie Pier: Just Perfect
Last night the City of Kingston unanimously approved a resolution to honour Gord Downie by naming the deep water swimming pier in the new Breakwater Park redevelopment The Gord Edgar Downie Pier.
Wearing your Swim Drink Fish love on your sleeve
Individually, we say that we value our water more than anything else, but as communities we are constantly mistreating our waterways. The good news? It’s not too late. And by showing you're one of the thousands who believe in swimmable drinkable fishable water, there is hope for the waterways we love.
Bringing the “Swim Drink Fish prism” to the Climate Summit of the Americas
Waterkeeper Mark Mattson is flying to Mexico to attend the Climate Summit of the Americas as a panelist. As the event approaches, Mark considers the immensity of what the event aims to achieve. And what better way to approach the enormous challenge of climate change than looking at one thing: water.
Eating Lake Ontario: Presumed dead Great Lake delivers
We drove three hours to enjoy food from the waterbody we’re so focused on protecting. If there was a way to distract us, this was it. Even the vegetarians amongst us were willing to give it a try just to experience this (unfortunately) rare opportunity. Here are a few thoughts from Waterkeeper's team following the first Eating Lake Ontario.
Waukesha: A small town raises big questions
Just outside of Milwuakee is Waukesha. With high levels of radon in its water supply, Waukesha aims to divert their water supply and draw water from Lake Michigan. This is the first attempt at sourcing water from the Great Lakes under 2008's Sustainable Water Resources Agreement meaning, Waukesha will set the precedent for future applications. And there will be future applications. So even though this is just a drop in the metaphorical bucket, many people are watching as it will set the course for what comes next.
Why it's time to invest in Canada's love for water
Canadians love water. Our culture and our history can prove it. So how is it that Canada is also one of the dirtiest countries in the industrialized world? How have we fallen to dead-last amongst the world’s wealthiest countries when it comes to environmental protection? This question is at the heart of all Waterkeeper’s work right now. How can we reconcile what we say we love – water, nature, being outdoors with friends and family – with how we actually live?
The Lost Edens of Lake Ontario
What is considered "normal" today may not have been considered the norm 150 years ago. Imagine growing up in a time when Lake Ontario's shoreline was wild and accessible and not occupied by industry. If standards for normalcy shift with each generation, how does this shifting baseline affect our ability to protect and conserve resources if we've never known them to exist?
This T-shirt will change your life
For the first time, the Swim Drink Fish T-shirts are available for sale online. But we're not as concerned about selling the shirt. We want you to understand what the symbols on the shirt mean. Krystyn explains.
Are you a recreational water user in Toronto? Register here!
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