Swim Drink Fish
Stories
Read the latest stories, updates and news releases about community science, water monitoring, and more.
Even in winter the Gord Edgar Downie Pier remains a beacon
My recent trip to Kingston with Mark Mattson reminded me the Gord Edgar Downie Pier remains a beacon for swimmable, drinkable, fishable water across the Great Lakes. This pier helps people reimagine their connection to Lake Ontario and is shaping a new generation of water leaders.
Why you should spend more time by the water in 2019
Make connecting to Lake Ontario a priority for 2019 and spend more time by the water. The first step to protecting Lake Ontario is connecting to the water.
The price of salt: How road salts are affecting our Great Lakes
Around Lake Ontario, winter-weather forecasts bring out road salt. This means crunchy sidewalks, dog booties and salt-stained shoes. It also means severe impacts for Lake Ontario’s watershed and its aquatic life.
Reflecting on 2018: a letter from Mark Mattson, President & Waterkeeper
The Swim Drink Fish community punches above its weight. What it lacks in size, is made up for in heart. Your heart. Our heart. All our hearts. With your help and support, we conquered some of the biggest challenges to swimmable, drinkable, fishable water in 2018.
Can sewers overflow in dry weather?
Our data shows Toronto’s combined sewers overflow during dry weather, not just during a rainfall event. This raises important questions. Is the City of Toronto’s sewer system overcapacity? Could dry weather sewer overflows be linked to to new urban developments? Here’s what you need to know.
An Update on the Toronto Harbour Monitoring Report 3.0 and a Call to Action
On November 7th, the Toronto Harbour Monitoring Report 3.0 was released detailing our findings from the water sampling season. This is the one month update after it’s release, which outlines the next steps for the program. The dream of having a swimmable, fishable, and drinkable harbour is on the horizon, and the five recommendations to the City of Toronto will help define this plan if implemented. To help you community please read, share, write a letter, and help volunteer to take water samples.
Submission to Ontario government to protect integrity of Environmental Commissioner's office
In November 2018, the Government of Ontario introduced Bill 57, Restoring Trust, Transparency and Accountability Act, 2018. It is an omnibus bill that also amends other existing provincial laws, including the Environmental Bill of Rights. Swim Drink Fish’s submission contains recommendations intended to protect the integrity and the purpose of the Environmental Commissioner’s office.
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