The Lake Winnipeg Health Plan
Eight actions to address the root causes of harmful algae blooms.
1. Keeping Water on the Land
Wetlands are diverse ecosystems that keep our water clean by filtering out excess phosphorus. Protecting Manitoba’s threatened wetlands will protect the health of Lake Winnipeg.
2. Conserving the Boreal Forest
Teeming with life, Manitoba’s boreal forest supplies some of Lake Winnipeg’s cleanest water. Keeping our forest intact and healthy will safeguard the source water that flows into our great lake.
3. Setting the Standard for Wastewater Treatment
It’s time to take responsibility for our waste. The water we use to flush our toilets ends up in Lake Winnipeg. State-of-the-art treatment systems can ensure it’s clean when it gets there.
4. Monitoring our Waterways
Phosphorus is the nutrient responsible for potentially harmful algae blooms on Lake Winnipeg – but in order to take effective action on phosphorus reduction, we must fully understand how, when and from where phosphorus is reaching Lake Winnipeg.
5. Managing our Shorelines
Healthy shorelines are our last line of defence when it comes to protecting our lake. Working together will help us find the right balance between development and protection.
6. Promoting Agricultural Water Stewardship
Healthy farms and healthy lakes go hand in hand. We need to keep phosphorus on our fields – and out of our lake – by encouraging choices that are good for both our land and our water.
7. Investing in a Clean Water Economy
Smart policies and innovative technologies can save Lake Winnipeg and other threatened ecosystems around the world. It’s time to create new opportunities by exporting made-in-Manitoba solutions.
8. Taking Responsibility
Clean fresh water is a precious resource. Our individual choices will be the legacy we leave our children. Let’s stop pointing fingers and do what’s needed so that future generations can enjoy Lake Winnipeg.Lake News
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LWF publishes a newsletter, The Watershed Observer, twice a year. Our latest issue explains how satellite imaging technology is monitoring algal blooms, outlines next steps for Manitoba’s government to address phosphorus pollution from Winnipeg sewage, and shares information on the call for a federal strategy on environmental racism – plus more!
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