Swim Drink Fish
Stories
Read the latest stories, updates and news releases about community science, water monitoring, and more.
Canadians heading into Rio’s polluted waters – what’s all the fuss?
With the Rio Olympics starting tonight, there's been a lot of talk about Rio's polluted waters. We've seen all of the articles – and there are a few. But one of the most perplexing and shocking things we've noticed are the comments from Canadian athletes saying it isn’t as bad as the pollution in Canada’s waters. Is this really as surprising as it sounds? Mark weighed in on this topic and shared his thoughts here.
Tools for pollution reporting, research, and protection
Do you know what pollution looks like out on the water? Have you ever wanted to do something to fight pollution? Waterkeeper recommends three free, user-friendly services to help you protect your waterbody from pollution.
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.
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