Dear LWF supporter,
March 22 is World Water Day! Today and every day, we encourage you to take a moment to acknowledge the importance of water – and consider actions you can take to protect it.
New report recommends interim retrofit for Winnipeg sewage treatment plant
Undertreated sewage contributes to harmful algae blooms on Lake Winnipeg. We marked World Water Day with the release of a report recommending a cost-effective interim retrofit to Winnipeg’s largest sewage treatment plant.
The North End Water Pollution Control Centre (NEWPCC) is the single largest point source of algae-causing phosphorus flowing into Lake Winnipeg – releasing an average of 600 kg of phosphorus into the Red River every single day! Planned upgrades to this facility continue to be delayed; according to a report adopted by city council in February, action on nutrient removal will not begin until 2030.
Together with the International Institute of Sustainable Development, we are proposing a solution which uses a chemical called ferric chloride as a phosphorus-removal agent. This interim retrofit could be implemented quickly at low cost – reducing the NEWPCC’s phosphorus contribution by 70 per cent and bringing it into compliance with its provincial licence requirements.
Click here to learn more and read the full report.
Update on the Lake Winnipeg Community-Based Monitoring Network
Coordinated by LWF, the Lake Winnipeg Community-Based Monitoring Network (LWCBMN) mobilizes citizens to collect water samples across Manitoba. With the help of conservation partners and the guidance of LWF science advisors, the network is identifying phosphorus hotspots – localized areas that contribute higher amounts of algae-causing phosphorus to local waterways than other areas.
Last month, LWCBMN participants and supporters met at the University of Manitoba in February to learn more about recent monitoring activities, how water-quality data are being used and other CBM initiatives. Click here to read highlights from the 2019 LWCBMN Gathering. There, you’ll also find a link to the 10 regional reports generated from data collected in 2018.
With the spring melt upon us, the 2019 field season is now beginning. To learn more about LWCBMN and how you can get involved as a citizen scientist, click here.
Lake Winnipeg DataStream launches!
As part of Canada Water week, we joined The Gordon Foundation on March 20 for the launch of Lake Winnipeg DataStream, new tool to help Canadians better understand the health of the Lake Winnipeg watershed.
Lake Winnipeg DataStream is an open-access, online hub for securely sharing water quality data collected by a range of monitoring programs – including the Lake Winnipeg Community-Based Monitoring Network. Datastream brings people and data together so we can better care for vital freshwater resources. Built with community monitors, policy-makers and researchers in mind, it’s user-friendly, free and doesn’t require passwords.
When data are available to everyone, new collaborations and innovations are possible. We’re excited to have this new online platform to share citizen-generated data with our partners and the public.
Thank you for your continued interest in the health of our shared waters,
The LWF team
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