Lakes Across Canada: A Polluted Landscape

Canada's lakes, rivers, and streams make up 7% of the world's renewable freshwater. However, human development has led to a significant threat to this precious resource. A recent study by Canadian scientists found toxic hydrocarbon levels in six area lakes, with some reaching warning levels. Lake Ontario and Lake Erie have a particularly bad reputation for pollution, and Lake Winnipeg was named the most threatened lake in the world last year. Eight of the 11 watersheds currently assessed are classified as having high or very high pollution threat levels.

The Great Lakes are severely affected by water pollution

Canada's lakes, rivers, and streams make up 7% of the world's renewable freshwater. However, human development has severely affected the Great Lakes, which account for about 18% of the world's fresh surface water.

Lake Ontario and Lake Erie have a particularly bad reputation for pollution, but Lake Winnipeg was named the most threatened lake in the world last year. A recent study by Canadian scientists showed toxic hydrocarbon levels in six area lakes, some already reaching warning levels, 20 times more damaged than when the mines were first built.

Pollutants can enter lakes in a variety of ways, and the main sources of pollution vary across the country. For example, the Saint John River has a very high threat level due to the pulp and paper industry, the oil industry, food and agriculture, and forestry.

To reduce pollution, individuals can decrease their dependence on oil and non-renewable resources, such as by using cars less and taking advantage of public transit, walking, biking, or carpooling.

Toxic hydrocarbon levels in six lakes are at warning levels

Canada's lakes, rivers, and streams make up 7% of the world's renewable freshwater. However, human development has severely affected this precious resource. A recent study by Canadian scientists revealed that toxic hydrocarbon levels in six lakes are at warning levels, with some areas 20 times more damaged than when the mines were first built. This is a disturbing finding, as it indicates the urgent need to address water pollution in Canada.

Lake Ontario and Lake Erie have a particularly bad reputation for pollution, and Lake Winnipeg was named the most threatened lake in the world last year. The Great Lakes—Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario—which account for about 18% of the world's fresh surface water, are also severely impacted by water pollution.

Pollutants enter Canadian lakes through various ways, including untreated and under-treated wastewater, industrial activities, and agricultural practices. The pulp and paper industry, oil industry, food and agriculture, and forestry are significant contributors to water pollution in Canada.

To reduce the impact of pollution on Canadian lakes, individuals can decrease their dependence on oil and non-renewable resources. This includes reducing car usage and opting for public transit, walking, biking, or carpooling. Additionally, higher levels of government intervention are necessary to address the more systemic issues contributing to water pollution.

Canada dumps 150 billion litres of untreated and under-treated waste water into waterways annually

Canada's lakes, rivers, streams, and other bodies of water make up 7% of the world's renewable freshwater. However, human development has severely affected the quality of this water. Pollution of the Great Lakes—Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario—the largest system of fresh surface water in the world—accounting for about 18% of the fresh surface water globally, has been severely affected by water pollution.

A study by Canadian scientists showed toxic hydrocarbon levels in six area lakes, some already reaching warning levels, 20 times more damaged than when the mines were first built. Environment Canada disclosed in 2012 that Canada dumps over 150 billion litres of untreated and under-treated waste water into our waterways every year. This is enough to fill more than 40,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

The waste threatens drinking water, as well as recreational users, aquaculture and fisheries. The Canada Council of Ministers of the Environment warns that "municipal sewage is the largest source of pollution discharged to surface water bodies in Canada". Despite regulations to crack down on raw sewage discharged into waterways, Canadian rivers and streams still took in billions of litres of untreated waste this year.

The Saint John River and the Bay of Fundy receive 6.6 billion litres of untreated effluent a year, while the capital region of Victoria emits 34 billion litres of raw sewage a year. Beaches in Vancouver are regularly closed as high levels of E. coli are detected in the water. Lake Ontario and Lake Erie have a particularly bad reputation, but most unfortunate was probably when Lake Winnipeg was named the most threatened lake in the world.

Lake Winnipeg is the most threatened lake in the world

Canada's lakes, rivers, streams, and other bodies of water make up 7% of the world's renewable freshwater. However, human development has severely affected this water source. Pollution of the Great Lakes—Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario—the largest system of fresh surface water in the world—accounting for about 18% of the fresh surface water globally, has been severely affected by water pollution.

Lake Winnipeg has been named the most threatened lake in the world. In 2013, the Global Nature Fund recognised Lake Winnipeg as the "most threatened lake of the year". Lake Winnipeg is the tenth largest freshwater lake in the world, with a watershed spanning nearly one million square kilometres. The lake is the world's largest eutrophic lake, where phosphorus in the water causes algal blooms with potential toxicity spanning 10,000 square kilometres. Summer measurements of chlorophyll have been the highest of the world's biggest lakes, exceeding Lake Winnipeg's ecological threshold.

Phosphorus enters the lake from countless sources. Sewage, fertiliser from farmland, animal waste, some household detergents, and runoff from urban centres all contain phosphorus that can find its way into the lake. Most of it comes from harder-to-track sources, such as farmland that drains into rivers or streams across large areas.

The recognition of Lake Winnipeg as the most threatened lake in the world is a symbol of a greater global problem. It is a reminder that human development and activity can have severe consequences on the environment and that collective action is needed to address these issues.

Eight of the 11 watersheds assessed have high or very high pollution threat levels

Canada's lakes, rivers, and streams make up 7% of the world's renewable freshwater. However, human development has led to water pollution, threatening this vital resource. Eight out of eleven watersheds assessed have high or very high pollution threat levels, indicating an elevated risk of pollution in these areas.

The Saint John River, for example, has a very high threat level due to the pulp and paper industry, oil industry, food and agriculture, and forestry. Similarly, Lake Ontario and Lake Erie have a poor reputation for pollution, and Lake Winnipeg was named the most threatened lake globally.

The Great Lakes—Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario—account for about 18% of the world's fresh surface water. Unfortunately, they have been severely affected by water pollution. A recent study by Canadian scientists found toxic hydrocarbon levels in six lakes, some reaching warning levels.

Canada's waterways are under threat from various pollution sources, and urgent action is needed to protect this precious resource.

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