Swim Drink Fish
Stories
Read the latest stories, updates and news releases about community science, water monitoring, and more.
City of Toronto withholding information about sewage bypasses
No one should ever get sick from a day out on the water. Recreational water illnesses can be prevented by providing the public with reliable, current information about water quality. If people can make informed choices about where and when to swim, thousands of waterborne illnesses would be prevented each year. That’s what makes Toronto’s recent storm – and the government’s silence – so infuriating.
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.
Snowmelt – Washing away winter’s dirty remains
Finally, it’s warming up! Use caution near the water this time of year. Water quality may be poor, and sampling doesn't start at city waterways until June. In the meantime, help prepare for a swimmable summer. Keep your watershed clean by disposing of waste and litter properly, even in areas far from the waterfront.
How to Request for Your Community to be Included in the Ministry's Sewage Bypass Alert Review
Earlier this year, we wrote to the Ontario government to say that Torontonians should be informed when sewage is bypassed into Lake Ontario. People are out there on the lake paddling, surfing, and sailing and they have a right to know when their health or their waterway is in jeopardy.
I'm in Ottawa this weekend with sewage on the tip of my tongue
On Friday, I’ll be packing up my car and heading to Ottawa for the second Living Waters Rally. My plan is to talk about economics, sewage, and failure (in that order). Of all the water issues in the country, sewage pollution is the one that gets me most worked up for one reason: it is totally unnecessary.
Toronto inches closer to better sewage pollution notification system; Ontario Environment Ministry launches review in response to Waterkeeper application (Press Release)
Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change announced on September 10, 2014 that it will review public reporting about water quality issues during severe weather events. Lake Ontario Waterkeeper triggered the review with a legal application filed in July under the Environmental Bill of Rights.
1,000 people are wondering: Will Toronto’s sewage silence be reviewed?
Under provincial law, the Ministry has until September 9, 2014 to decide whether it will conduct a review. If they do, they could be helping to protect the health of thousands of GTA residents. 1,000 people think a review is warranted. We think a review is warranted. And so we wait ….
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