Swim Drink Fish
Stories
Read the latest stories, updates and news releases about community science, water monitoring, and more.
Decision time for the Scarborough shore: What kind of waterfront do we deserve?
Author of Along the Shore: Rediscovering Toronto’s Waterfront, Jane Fairburn wants to draw attention to a major facelift coming to the Scarborough waterfront. She submitted this guest post highlighting the Toronto Region Conservation Authority's proposal and citing some of her personal concerns. (If you have something to say, the first deadline for public comment is February 11, 2016.)
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.
The myths that hold us back
Waterkeeper’s VP Krystyn Tully was recently featured as a guest speaker at the Ontario Sewer and Watermain Construction Association (OSWCA) Conference in Kingston. Since improving infrastructure and protecting the lake are shared goals, Krystyn explained why our “Swim Drink Fish” mantra is so important to understand. Krystyn also shared common myths and why a discussion around protecting waterways can be challenging.
Why it's time to invest in Canada's love for water
Canadians love water. Our culture and our history can prove it. So how is it that Canada is also one of the dirtiest countries in the industrialized world? How have we fallen to dead-last amongst the world’s wealthiest countries when it comes to environmental protection? This question is at the heart of all Waterkeeper’s work right now. How can we reconcile what we say we love – water, nature, being outdoors with friends and family – with how we actually live?
Wolfe Island's Lake Ontario Cup Tournament
The Lake Ontario Cup is an annual hockey tournament hosted on Wolfe Island since 2002. Although a small event, the tournament is quite cherished amongst locals, writers, and musicians – including Waterkeeper Mark Mattson, Dave Bidini, and Paul Steenhuisen. Paul recalls how the tournament does so much more than satisfy his love for hockey and provide the winning team with a milkjug trophy.
The Lost Edens of Lake Ontario
What is considered "normal" today may not have been considered the norm 150 years ago. Imagine growing up in a time when Lake Ontario's shoreline was wild and accessible and not occupied by industry. If standards for normalcy shift with each generation, how does this shifting baseline affect our ability to protect and conserve resources if we've never known them to exist?
This is my Watermark. What’s yours?
Started by Lake Ontario Waterkeeper in 2015, the Watermark Project aims to collect and archive one water story from every Canadian to demonstrate why swimmable, drinkable, fishable, water matters. Starting today, you can easily share your story at watermarkproject.ca. Lake Ontario Waterkeeper Vice President, Krystyn Tully discusses the Watermark Project and shares her Watermark.
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