What we can learn about winter water quality

In anticipation of all the exciting work in store for Ontario Place, we’ve begun sampling the waters there, and will continue year-round.Ontario Place’s West Island Beach is a natural oasis amidst bustling city life, and is an already beloved destination for swimming and other water recreational activities (yes, even in the winter!).This beach has tons...

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Waterkeeper makes recommendations for improvements to Canadian radioactive waste management policy

Pippa Feinstein is a Toronto-based lawyer, researcher, and mediator focussed on environmental and social justice who has worked with Lake Ontario Waterkeeper to safeguard Lake Ontario.  For 20 years, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper has been the leading voice on nuclear issues and threats to Great Lakes drinking water. Years ago, the Darlington nuclear plant killed 18...

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Waterkeeper submits comments on two Regulatory Oversight Reports to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

On November 16, Waterkeeper submitted two reports to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) which will be considered by Commission Members as part of their annual Regulatory Oversight Report (ROR) meeting in December.In its reports, Waterkeeper congratulated the Commission for implementing two of its long-standing recommendations. It also underscored persistent concerns relating to the collection...

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Creating protected areas on the Toronto waterfront for open water swimming and more

It is more apparent every day just how much of a waterfront city Toronto is becoming. This summer proved that people are starved for accessible places to access the lake. Without the freedom of summer travel, many in the City of Toronto headed to the beach this summer, seeking a place to cool off in...

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Torontonians need more access to shorelines states 2019 Toronto Water Monitoring Report

“Water quality sampling in Toronto’s waters by Swim Drink Fish is important for many reasons. It engages the local officials and water users in collecting meaningful water quality data to share with the public on Swim Guide and it grows the movement of people working for swimmable drinkable fishable water.” — Mark Mattson, Lake Ontario...

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The Citizen Scientists of the Toronto Monitoring Hub

Author: Alysse Mathalon “A President’s Choice shopping bag, a couple of tampon applicators, and a bright red condom, that is what I picked up out of the water outside of my house this morning.” - Shawn Vanderheyden, a resident of the Toronto Islands and a Toronto Monitoring Hub volunteer. How would I describe the volunteers who...

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Checking In with @waterkeepermark and Hannah McDonald from Lake Ontario Waterkeeper

For the Checking In series, Mark Mattson speaks with Hannah McDonald from Lake Ontario Waterkeeper‘s Kingston Water Monitoring Hub. As the Citizen Science Monitoring Hub Coordinator at the Kingston hub, Hannah routinely samples Kingston’s waterfront, analyzes the water samples, and shares the water quality data with you on Swim Guide. MM: Tell me a little...

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Checking In with @waterkeepermark and Sadie Caron from Swim Drink Fish

For the Checking In series, Mark Mattson speaks with Sadie Caron from Swim Drink Fish. As Western Programs Manager, Sadie ensures the Vancouver Water Monitoring Hub is routinely sampling Vancouver’s waterfront, analyzing the water samples, and sharing the water quality data with you on Swim Guide. MM: Tell me a little bit about yourself and...

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Checking In with @waterkeepermark and Alysse Mathalon from Lake Ontario Waterkeeper

For the Checking In series, Mark Mattson speaks with Alysse Mathalon from Lake Ontario Waterkeeper and Swim Drink Fish. As the Water Quality Monitoring Hub Coordinator, Alysse ensures the Toronto Water Monitoring Hub is routinely sampling Toronto’s waterfront, analyzing the water samples, and sharing the water quality data with you on Swim Guide. MM: Tell...

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Checking In: @waterkeepermark and the Kingston Water Monitoring Hub

Welcome to the new Kingston Water Monitoring Hub! One of the ways Swim Drink Fish connects people to water is through citizen science, with a special focus on testing water used for recreation, like beaches, marinas, and paddling courses. This summer, Swim Drink Fish and Lake Ontario Waterkeeper launched the new Kingston Water Monitoring Hub....

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