Table Of Content

3(.70 August Ontario 1998 Ministry ofthe Environmentprograms and initiatives Why beaches are posted can be a disappointment. You arrive at a from manure piles and feedlots, by livestock It beach on a hot summer day looking for- being allowed access to streams and when ward to a cool swim. Then you find signs milkhouse washwater is dumped into posted that warn bathers to stay out of the drainage ditches and streams. water. Afterheavy rains, What are the risks of going into the water? Guidelines for beach postings beaches often are The beach may be posted because the Ontano beaches are posted with warnings posted for up to water has levels of bacteria that increase your when Escherichia coii (E.coli or EC) bacteria — w4a8rnhoiunrgsawgiatihnsstigns crioskmomfodnevaerleopmiinngoraninifnefcetcitoinosn.ofThtehemsoksint, blopordeesdenatniinmatlhse—fecmeseaosfuarlemomsotrealltwhaanrm1-00 bathing because of eye, nose and throat and stomach disorders. EC per 100 millilitres of water. However, waterpollution Less often, beaches are posted because of based on health risk data, the chances are floating debris, oil, scum, excessive weed less than 1.5 per cent that you will contract a (algae) growth, bad odors and cloudy or disease such as gastrointestinal illness when murky water. swimming in waters that contain as much as 200 EC per TOO mL of water. What's polluting our beaches Generally it's up to the local Medical Several sources of water pollution can result Officer of Health to judge when a beach in beach postings. These include: should be oosted. Beaches are usually • runoff from stormwater (heavy rain) reopened when E.coli levels have fallen to an acceptable level of TOO EC per 100 mL for • overflows from combined sewers that two or three days. carry both sewage and stormwater Watch out for rainstorms • excess flows that have bypassed municipal or industrial sewage treatment plants. Beach postings often occur after heavy rains. In urban areas, stormwater washes fecal Large populations of waterfowl that colo- material from dogs, cats, birds and other nize a beach or sun-ounding area also con- wildlife into storm sewers that flow directly tribute to water pollution. into nearby rivers and lakes. In rural areas, In urban areas, stormwater runoff contains stormwater washes fecal matter from live- bacteria from pet and wildlife feces, illegal- stock operations into nearby streams and ly connected sanitary sewers and poorly lakes. installed basement washrooms. Many older cities have combined sewers Beaches in rural areas are usually closed that convey both sanitary sewage and because of bacterial contamination from two stormwater to a sewage treatment plant. sources. One source is domestic septic sys- During heavy rains, however, overflows from tems that are poorly maintained and located. these combined sewers are discharged The other source can be agricultural activi- untreated directly into rivers and lakes. ties, particularly livestock operations, if not In cities like Toronto, some beaches have properly managed. permanent signs that warn against swim- Bacteria can enter streams through runoff ming within 48 hours after a heaw rain- Ministry of the Environment In Brief storm. In the city of Ottawa some beaches • Upgrade septic systems and keep them in are posted for 24 hours after a rainfall of good working order. more than 10 millimetres. Taking action on urban and How you can help rural beaches • Pet wastes are a major source of bacteria The Ministry of the Environment is constantly in stormwater. Please observe stoop and seeking new ways of dealing with water scoop bylaws. Remove dog feces immedi- quality problems caused by runoff and over- ately from streets, public parks and private flows. For example: property. • The ministry is a partner in SWAMP, the • Where possible, detach eavestrough down- Storm Water Assessment Monitoring and spouts so that rainwater goes into the Performance partnership. SWAMP evalu- ground rather than into a sewer. This ates new technologies that are designed to reduces the amount of water going prevent and control the effects of directly into sewers. stormwater and combined sewer over- • Reduce water use in your household. This flows. The other partners are Environment helps avoid overflow problems at some Canada, the Toronto Region Conservation municipal sewage treatment plants that Authority, the Ministry of Transportation may cause untreated sewage to enter and several municipalities. lakes and rivers. • The way land in the upper parts of a • Make sure that any washrooms added to watershed is used and developed can have your home are properly connected to the serious effects on downstream uses, sanitary sewer pipes. including beaches. Through published documents and technical support, the • Don't discharge backwash from your pool ministry helps municipalities to develop onto a road. Pool water should be their vital watershed management plans discharged either to the sanitary sewer, or and to plan and design their stormwater across the lawn to the storm sewer, three management systems. days after the last chemical application. By allowing pool water to flow across a lawn, For more information on the beaches in your some water will be lost through infiltra- area please call your local public health tion and most pool chemicals will evapo- office. rate into the air. • Consider a driveway of crushed or inter- For information on what the Ministry of the locking stone. An open surface driveway Environment is doing to protect beaches and such as this reduces the amount of water quality please call: stormwater entering the sewer system. It Public Information Centre also replenishes ground-water. 1 35 St. Clair Ave. W. • In agricultural areas, fence livestock away Toronto ON M4V 1 P5 from streams and give them alternative Tel: (416) 325-4000 sources of water. This benefits the health Fax: (416) 325-3159 of both the herd and the environment. Toll free number: 1-800-565-4923 Internet address: www.ene.gov.on.ca • Make sure that runoff from feedlots and manure piles is properly contained. 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