Swim Drink Fish
Stories
Read the latest stories, updates and news releases about community science, water monitoring, and more.
Case closed(ish): Shutting the door on the Toronto sewage bypass alerts
As of fall 2017, we are declaring “Case Closed” on the Toronto sewage bypass alerts file. After years of requesting alerts, the city is now issuing public notifications for all sewage bypasses. Learn all about it here, and why there's still work to be done.
Toronto Sewage Bypass Log
Until the City of Toronto begins to alert the public when a sewage bypass occurs, our Swimmable Water Ambassadors will call the Humber Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Ashbridges Bay Wastewater Treatment plant for this information and share it here.
No notifications, no information: Paddling with a floating condom
Last summer, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment decided that Toronto should notify the public of wet weather events. This will alert the public when recreational water quality is in question. If you happen to be one of Toronto’s many dedicated rec water users like Michael and Nadia Austin, you probably have a few concerns. Waterkeeper caught up with these two surfer-SUP’ers to discuss their recent experiences on the water.
It’s 2015: Why is raw sewage floating through Montreal?
Sewage is a major focus of Waterkeeper's work. With sewage bypasses happening regularly in Toronto, Waterkeeper has been watching the news surrounding Montreal's 8 billion litre sewage dump into the St. Lawrence River very closely. To comment on the issue, the organization's President and Vice-President, Mark Mattson and Krystyn Tully, wrote an op-ed for the Globe and Mail. Here is an excerpt from the article.
Waterkeeper's presentation to Toronto's PWI Committee on the Pollution Prevention Program
On November 12, 2015, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper's Public Interest Articling Fellow, Tristan Willis and Legal Practicum Student, Hannah Gladstone presented to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee at City Hall in Toronto on the proposed change to the Pollution Prevention Program (“P2” Program). This is what we presented.
Wet weather and bypass advisories are finally coming … What happens next?
It took a lot of work to get to this point, but it was worth it! After a year-long investigation prompted by Waterkeeper, the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change made their decision – and it's great news for Torontonians!
POLL: Should the City of Toronto notify the public when bypasses happen at wastewater treatment plants?
We want to hear from you. With the Pan Am Games just days away, thousands are about to jump in – Torontonians and visitors from around the world. Is it time the City of Toronto informed the public when its waters are unsafe?
For Media