Swim Drink Fish
Stories
Read the latest stories, updates and news releases about community science, water monitoring, and more.
Three key sustainability tips to guide you this National Fishing Week
It’s National Fishing Week in Canada meaning you can can fish license-free until July 12th! But many people have questions about water quality and the safety of eating fish from the Great Lakes. Whether you are an experienced angler or trying the sport for the first time, here are the top three tips for a sustainable fishing (and eating!) experience.
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?
4 spin techniques polluters love, with examples from the City of Toronto sewage case
What does a polluter or apologist do when they are at odds with public opinion? In the years that I have been practicing environmental law, I’ve watched time and time again as people use the same spin techniques to downplay public concerns. It works more often than I’d like to admit. And it’s happening right now here in Toronto.
We answer your questions about Toronto's brown waterfront
Our phone has been ringing off the hook with questions about Toronto's waterfront - specifically, what's going on with the brown water. Here's some basic information to help you understand what's happening. (Spoiler alert: it's sewage).
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.
Transforming the Joe Burke Wolfe Island Literary Festival with watermarks
Great writers, great people, and a Great Lake. By sharing their affection for literature and Canadian culture, this annual literary festival is now a community favourite.
Red flags for Great Lakes beaches
The hallmark of a clean beach is one that is sampled regularly and meets bacteriological water quality standards 95% of the time. Our Great Lakes should be swimmable, not because we massage the numbers, but because the waters are free from the sewage and stormwater pollution that cause beach postings.
For Media