Swim Drink Fish
Stories
Read the latest stories, updates and news releases about community science, water monitoring, and more.
Waterkeeper and Swim Drink Fish make recommendations to strengthen Canada-Ontario agreement on the Great Lakes
We are supportive of government’s continued coordination efforts and the commitment being made to Great Lakes restoration. In particular, we recognize and appreciate the attention to sewage pollution issues, improved monitoring and public alerts for sewage spills, and the attention being paid to microplastics and road salt pollution.
Waterkeeper voices concerns at the Great Lakes Public Forum
Hosted by the International Joint Commission (IJC), the Great Lakes Public Forum is a binational event between Canada and the United States where the public can share their ideas and concerns, and speak to their vision for the future of the Great Lakes. There were so many highlights during the Great Lakes Public Forum. Here are a few from Waterkeeper’s presentations (in case you missed them).
Lake Ontario Waterkeeper and Swim Guide sign on to Public Notification for CSOs in the Great Lakes
On September 23, 2016, Waterkeepers of the Great Lakes Region, including Lake Ontario Waterkeeper and Swim Guide, signed onto comments for the “Public Notification for Combined Sewer Overflows in the Great Lakes."
Triclosan: An antibacterial threatening germs and the Great Lakes
Found to be toxic, synthetic chemical triclosan is used in toothpaste, skin cleansers, moisturizers, hand soaps, detergents, cookware, and furniture to name a few. But without a way to filter triclosan out of effluent, triclosan is washing into lakes, rivers, groundwater, and other waterways.
EPA study finds high levels of toxins in Great Lakes fish
In 2015, the US EPA published the results from a 2010 national assessment of US coastal waters. Its findings were shocking. High levels of toxins were found in the majority of Great Lakes fish that were sampled. What's more concerning is this information was only available for the U.S.'s shorelines. Information for Canada's shores are unavailable. How can Ontario – let alone Canada – take the health of the Great Lakes seriously if the health of our fish are not monitored?
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.
MEDIA ADVISORY: Lake Ontario beaches improved in 2015, new Swim Guide report shows
Lake Ontario beach water quality met government standards 73% of the time in 2015, says a new report from Swim Guide (www.theswimguide.org). This is an improvement over 2014, when water quality met standards only 60% of the summer.
For Media