We are passionate about protecting the water at Swim Drink Fish, and we work towards that protection in a number of ways through our initiatives. This blog kicks off a series where we highlight the ten ways we’re actively working to protect and celebrate water in Canada and beyond!

Visitors to Toronto’s Western Beaches during summer months are frequently met with “no swimming” signs or beach closures due to poor water quality. In addition to ruining a day of summer fun, these signs serve as an important reminder of a much larger issue: Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs).

Edmonton is known for many things, such as the Oilers, West Edmonton Mall, and the North Saskatchewan River Valley.  However, the sudden appearance of the Accidental Beach took centre stage in 2017! 

As one of the only groups in Edmonton collecting water quality data specific to the community’s desire to swim, paddle and use the river, we’re excited to announce that our work in Edmonton will continue for the next three years.

we’re proud to have signed onto the Swimmable Cities Charter - a set of common principles that have been published to empower decision-makers, actors and grassroots activists in the international urban swimming movement and advocate for everyone’s #RightToSwim. 

Swim Drink Fish is proud to announce that Vice President and Lake Ontario Waterkeeper, Gregary Ford, has been selected as a 2025 Clean50 Emerging Leaders Cohort member. This recognition celebrates Canada’s top leaders under the age of 35 who are making significant contributions to the advancement of sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Our organization is rooted in community science, also known as participatory science. If you aren’t familiar with the term, community science can be defined as public participation in scientific research.