Swim Drink Fish Blog
Read the latest updates and news releases about community science, water monitoring, Artists for Water, and more.
Submission to Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan Committee
The Hamilton Harbour and Region Remedial Action Plan (HHRAP) team has released a report entitled Status Report on the Degradation of Aesthetics Beneficial Use Impairment (BUI) XI in the Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan. The Report presents findings from aesthetic observations and makes the case that the status of this BUI be re-designated from “Impaired” to “Not Impaired.”
The Hamilton RAP Report suggests that Hamilton Harbour’s waters are now “free from persistent objectionable unnatural deposit, unnatural colour, objectionable odour, or unnatural turbidity (e.g., oil slick or surface scum).”
Lake Ontario Waterkeeper (“Waterkeeper”) does not agree with this assessment.
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.
Toronto Harbour sampling: winter edition
Waterkeeper collected samples from the Toronto Harbour on seven occasions over the winter season. Learn all about the test results and what we observed on the Toronto waterfront.
Toronto Harbour Report: Lake Ontario needs protecting
Official results for the Toronto Harbour Report are in. Watch the video, see the data, and learn how you can help protect the Toronto Harbour.
Muskoka Brewery and Evergreen: Two Canadian organizations teaming up to create a swimmable drinkable fishable future
We are always excited when we encounter emerging water leaders – those who choose to take action to protect their watershed. We're also excited when we find out people and organizations want to support our efforts. This summer, two organizations took interest in our recent work to monitor Toronto's inner harbour, and we couldn't be more thrilled.
Waterkeeper’s preliminary comments on the Scarborough Waterfront Project
The Scarborough Waterfront Project (“SWP”) is a proposal to build an 11-km shoreline pathway along the stretch of Bluffs lining Lake Ontario. Because this is the first phase of the assessment process, Waterkeeper’s comments are focused on the overarching purpose and direction of the project.
Sampling Toronto's waste ridden waters: The Keating Channel
This summer, Waterkeeper collected water samples with award-winning documentary duo, the Water Brothers. With the water coming from one of Toronto's most contaminated areas, the results were shocking – even to us.
How to communicate to the public about water quality
Face it. Talking about the impact failing infrastructure has on water quality and waterways is a challenge. No matter how hard you try, the message comes out like this: “There’s sewage in our waters. Except when there’s not. And sometimes it’s stormwater, which can be as bad as sewage. Except when it’s not.” What the public hears is either, “your river is full of sewage all the time” or, “your lake is perfect all the time.”
Need a Source? How to find the best beaches in Ontario before the holiday weekend (Press Release)
Through Swim Guide, we monitor 7,000 beaches across Canada and the USA. See which Ontario beaches we're recommending you visit this long weekend. And see which ones we unfortunately don't.
Sewage hits Sunnyside beach, just in time for the summer swim season
If it pours rain on Friday afternoon and you head to the beach on Saturday, there’s a good chance you’re exposing yourself to sewage pollution despite that green flag flying. How often do you really want to hear about sewage spills and Lake Ontario? Are you afraid to swim in the lake? We want to hear from you.