Lower Vermilion Source Water Quality Monitoring Project

Lower Vermilion Source Water Quality Monitoring Project

By Vermilion River Stewardship

Strategic Planning Committee

1. Project objectives

2. Historical Data Summary

3. Determine baseline of water quantity & quality

4. Develop monitoring plan

5. Sampling campaign

6. Sampling Results

7. Determine course of action

1. Determined quality assurance & control water variables

Researched current government standards of water quality

No provincial consistency of standards & methods

Measurements are not standardized – microgram, milligrams, ug/L, ppm, etc.

Very little consistent data available for Lower Vermilion

Testing frequency wasn’t adequate

oSpring phosphorus & not all years were tested

oNumber of lakes tested vary from year to year

2. Data Presentation

Chart to collate data collected

To whom are we presenting – public, government, City, industry, etc.

3. Effect legislative change to

Provincial Water quality objectives

Standards for rivers & lakes are different – 30 ug/L & 20 ug/L phosphorus

Expect there will be other standards to address – i.e. heavy metals & toxic elements

4. Standardize effluent discharge metrics

Effluent discharge is not being tested for Biological Organic Debris (BOD)

Data Collection

1. MOE - Lake Partners Program

2. City - Lake Water Quality Annual Reports

3. NDCA – Temperature & Depth

4. Public Water Quality Monitoring Network (PWQMN) – River Stream Results

5. Vale Public Water Intake Reports

6. Silt sampling results

7. Others

1. List the variables of concern

2. List inputs – outputs – restrictions upstream & downstream based on

Inflow from the watershed

Precipitation, usage, and/or obstructions to flow

3. Sampling sites - identify & locate on the map

Determine criteria for sampling sites

Google map of identified sites

1. Statistical considerations, application & model development

Statistics will determine areas of focus

Grand River Conservation Authority sampling methods considering as a template

Use picture to show methods…..

2. Sampling protocols, standards & methods

Use Lake Partners sampling methods

3. Number of times to sample

VRS sites - 5 times per year

Sample City sampling sites (5) - 4 times per year

4. Develop a Budget

Sampling costs

Lab costs

1. Charity Village

2. Eco Action Community Funding: Ministry of Environment Up to $100,000 with matched donation

3. TD Friends of the Environment foundation $500 to $5,000

4. Catherine Donnelly Foundation

$10,000 to $80,000

5. Sudbury Community Foundation $200 to $50,000

6. Walmart Evergreen Green Projects Up to $10,000

7. Freshwater Future $500 to $3.500 (USD)

8. Ontario Trillium Foundation up to $75,000 per year

9. RBC Blue Water Project $1,000 to $5,000

Carry out sampling

Sampling consistent at all sites

1. Lab considerations

2. Collate & interpret data

3. Complete a gap analysis of the datasets

Compare the old data with the new data

1. Prepare Study Report

2. Present to the public, municipal, provincial & federal governments

3. Initiate change in the Vermilion River water quality

4. ???