What does “Swimmable” water mean?
For more than 20 years, Swim Drink Fish has been working to restore the health of local waters – to make them swimmable, drinkable, and fishable. Advocating for swimmable waters is a key strategy to protect our waterways. But what does that mean?
“Swimmable” refers to the health of the water. That’s why we test the water quality using the recreational standard Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality and local health guidelines for specific communities. This information allows recreational water users to make an informed decision about when and where they enter the water.
When a community can connect with their local water, they become more aware of the threats to the water. Ultimately, that initial connection is the most powerful tool in building a movement of water stewards that work together in creating swimmable, drinkable, fishable water for everyone.
Swimming as an indicator
The simple act of swimming is an indicator that people are connected to their waters. When the water is clean enough for the community to jump in, drink from, or catch and eat fish from, it’s a sign of a healthy waterbody; not just for humans but also for the wildlife, ecosystems, and nature that depend on it.
The act of getting into the water benefits us all; it’s been one of the greatest tools in challenging policymakers to clean up waterways across Canada. Holding mass swims in Toronto and Kingston, we saw firsthand how connecting with the water forced decision makers to stop looking away. It helped us challenge the “no swimming” signs holding so many communities from connecting with their local waters.
Taking a plunge may seem insignificant, but every time you do, you’re supporting a community's right to clean water and advocating for a healthier environment.
How is Swim Drink Fish working towards swimmable water?
Swim Guide is a free app that collects the most up-to-date water health data for over 10,000 beaches in 12 countries. We make this information public and transparent to help the public stay informed about the water quality in their community and discover swimmable waters in their area.
Swim Drink Fish proudly operates Blue Flag Canada on behalf of Blue Flag International and the Foundation for Environmental Education. Swim Drink Fish took over the program from Environmental Defence in early 2020.
The Blue Flag program recognizes communities working hard to promote swimmable, drinkable, fishable water. A Blue Flag tells you a beach or marina is managed sustainably, is accessible, and has high-quality services and safety procedures. Blue Flag beaches also actively monitor water quality.
Swim Drink Fish has launched the WAVE Prize, a new initiative to increase public access to urban swimmable waters in B.C. The WAVE Prize is seeking to provide up to five grants between $3–15 million to local governments and First Nations, to help them build natural water swimming structures.
Swim Drink Fish and the City of North Vancouver have announced plans for an innovative swimming structure at Waterfront Park in Burrard Inlet - the first of its kind in British Columbia.
This project will create much-needed public space and stand as a powerful example of how thoughtful investment can reclaim urban waterfronts and bring swimmable, inclusive spaces back to city life.
Gord Edgar Downie Pier - Restoration Project
On July 26, 2018, Swim Drink Fish unveiled the Gord Edgar Downie Pier at Breakwater Park in Kingston. This was significant as it is Canada’s first deep-water urban swimming pier. The Gord Edgar Downie Pier has become an example for cities across Canada on how development can be a catalyst for reconnection and protection.
Join the Swim Drink Fish Movement
We believe that building a movement of people connected to their water is how we create lasting change. When we fight for swimmable water, we're fighting for drinkable water, for fishable water, and for a healthier future for all.