Policy Text:
In accordance with Section 22(2)-[7] of the Clean Water Act, further monitoring and research of microcystin-LR and phosphorus is required for the Lake Erie drinking water intakes (Wheatley, Union, Harrow-Colchester and Pelee Island) and tributaries.
The Harrow-Colchester South Water Treatment Plant, Union Water Supply System, Pelee Island West Shore Water Treatment Plant and Wheatley Water Treatment Plant shall continue to conduct existing water quality sampling (both raw and treated water) and to share information and data with other interested parties.
Essex Region Conservation Authority, in collaboration with the Province (Ministry of Environment), and other bodies (e.g. Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority, Environment Canada, research institutions) where possible, should continue the support of existing water quality monitoring programs (e.g. DWSP, PWQMN and research projects) where they relate to the assessment and understanding of microcystin-LR as a drinking water issue and/or phosphorus as a contributor to algal growth. Where it is appropriate, additional water quality monitoring should be incorporated into existing programs or developed as new programs. These monitoring efforts should be directed at such things as, but not limited to:
- event based water quality monitoring (both blooms and runoff events),
- correlation between the various monitoring programs (locally and within Lake Erie)
- contributions through transport pathways, including but not limited to agricultural non-point sources, septic systems, water treatment plants, combined sewer overflows and residential sources such as lawns
Participation in these monitoring programs is dependent on adequate resources (including funding and staff capacity) being available.