Swim Drink Fish Blog
Read the latest updates and news releases about community science, water monitoring, Artists for Water, and more.
Taking your volunteer commitment one step further: Pollution Reporting
One of the most effective ways to help create a swimmable drinkable fishable future is reporting pollution. By simply helping us keep an eye on Lake Ontario's vast watershed, spills can be more contained and waterways can be better protected. By reporting pollution, you're not just helping us – you're helping everyone.
The difference heavy rain can make in Toronto’s inner harbour
We know that rain can have an effect on water quality. This is particularly relevant to recreational water users and why we believe monitoring Toronto’s inner harbour is so important. As we are in the midst of our water sampling effort, we only have lab results from our first water sampling excursion. But after last night's heavy rain, we can draw some comparisons to provide perspective.
What Gord Downie taught me (and the Swim Drink Fish community)
Gord is someone I have known for over 30 years. Someone who supported my decision to quit the law to become a Waterkeeper. Someone who gave Waterkeeper's Swim Drink Fish vision meaning and force in Canada.
Culture clash on the Toronto waterfront
The news about Mark coming across a 2km stretch of floating sewage debris has caught a lot of attention as of late. A lot of you have expressed shock and disgust. And if you're finding out about this for the first time, yes – it is as gross as it seems. But with all of the attention this story has received, we have yet to tell it from our point of view. Which is why Krystyn gathered all of the details here.
The fix is on: federal government launches review of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act after law gutted in 2012
The worst year in the history of Canadian environmental protection was 2012. That year, the federal government gutted every major environmental law. The Fisheries Act no longer protected most fish or fish habitat. The Navigable Waters Protection Act no longer protected “water.” And the process by which major projects are reviewed was slashed. Today, Waterkeeper Mark Mattson sent a short submission to the Government of Canada endorsing the launch of new process to review environmental decision-making. Here is his submission.
Marilyn Bell DiLascio reacts to recent discovery of sewage debris in Lake Ontario
Traveling by boat on July 8, 2016, Waterkeeper Mark Mattson arrived in Toronto and spotted a 2km stretch of waste floating in the lake, just off of Ashbridges Bay. When we posted the images and videos online, many people were shocked – one of who was famed open water swimmer, Marilyn Bell. As Lake Ontario’s first “Swim Drink Fish Ambassador,” Marilyn was quick to lend her voice for the lake that has a big place in her heart. Here’s her message.
Waterkeeper’s preliminary comments on the Scarborough Waterfront Project
The Scarborough Waterfront Project (“SWP”) is a proposal to build an 11-km shoreline pathway along the stretch of Bluffs lining Lake Ontario. Because this is the first phase of the assessment process, Waterkeeper’s comments are focused on the overarching purpose and direction of the project.
Study illustrates Canada’s disconnect with water, need to support water literacy tools
RBC's recent Canadian Water Attitudes Survey sheds light on the urgent need for the work that we do here at Waterkeeper. The biggest take-away from the report is something we have known for a while: Canadians are clearly disconnected from their waters.
Microbeads labeled “toxic” as Canada prepares to ban the tiny plastic polluters
The Government of Canada has officially labelled microbeads “toxic” under federal law. This label is the first step in the official process to ban microbeads in Canada. The ban will apply to cleansers and cosmetic products that have been polluting waterways nationwide.
Saying goodbye to Pat Lawson
Mark remembers Pat Lawson, who passed away yesterday. Pat was a mentor to so many social justice advocates. She believed in the beauty and majesty of the Port Hope where she grew up: Lake Ontario, where she played on the beaches; the Ganaraska River, where she floated through town. Says Mark: "She lit a fire in me that day that still burns."