Canada's Water Pollution: Understanding The Severity Of The Issue

Water pollution is a serious issue in Canada, with eight out of 11 watersheds currently assessed as having high or very high pollution threat levels. The worst cases of water pollution occur in the southern parts of the country, where most people live and most agricultural and industrial activities take place. Sources of water pollution include the pulp and paper industry, the oil industry, food and agriculture, and forestry. Climate change has also contributed to low water levels, which has impacted shipping routes and shortened the recreational boating season.

The Saint John River is threatened by the pulp and paper industry, oil industry, food and agriculture, and forestry

Water pollution in Canada is caused by population growth and industrialisation, with the worst cases occurring in the southern parts of the country, where most people live and most agricultural and industrial activity takes place. Eight of the 11 watersheds currently assessed are classified as having high or very high pollution threat levels.

The Saint John River is one of the areas with a very high threat level. It is threatened by the pulp and paper industry, the oil industry, food and agriculture, and forestry. In 2018, Irving Pulp and Paper was fined $3.5 million for pleading guilty to three charges of effluent discharge into the fish-bearing Saint John River. The company's mill near the Reversing Falls tourist attraction in Saint John failed to meet standards under the federal Fisheries Act. The court agreement required the installation of a multi-million-dollar effluent treatment facility.

Southern Canada has the worst water pollution, where most people live and most agricultural and industrial activities occur

Water pollution in Canada is caused by population growth and industrialisation. It occurs when discharges of energy or materials degrade the quality of water for other users, including both humans and wildlife. Pollution can affect inland waters such as lakes, rivers and groundwater, as well as coastal marine waters.

Eight of the 11 watersheds currently assessed are classified as having high or very high pollution threat levels. High threat levels mean these particular areas and their ecosystems have an elevated risk of being polluted. These are often areas with significant development (mines, industry), large municipalities or important agricultural areas.

In many regions, point source pollution including wastewater effluents, industrial discharges and urban runoff are the largest contributors while agricultural contamination, including nitrogen, phosphorus and pesticides, dominates in the Prairies and Southwestern Ontario. Two other sources – pipeline incident and pollution from transportation mishaps – mainly account for why the zone of very high stress reaches up into northern Alberta.

Polluted water can contain pesticides, sewage, bacteria and chemicals, which can cause various health issues.

Eight of the 11 watersheds currently assessed are classified as having high or very high pollution threat levels

Canada's water pollution is caused by population growth and industrialisation. The worst cases of water pollution occur in the southern parts of the country, where most people live and most agricultural and industrial activities occur. Eight of the 11 watersheds currently assessed are classified as having high or very high pollution threat levels. High threat levels mean these particular areas and their ecosystems have an elevated risk of being polluted. These are often areas with significant development (mines, industry), large municipalities or important agricultural areas.

The Saint John River, for example, has a very high threat level. Its pollution sources include the pulp and paper industry, the oil industry, food and agriculture, and forestry.

Point source pollution, including wastewater effluents, industrial discharges and urban runoff, are the largest contributors to water pollution in many regions. Agricultural contamination, including nitrogen, phosphorus and pesticides, dominates in the Prairies and Southwestern Ontario. Two other sources – pipeline incidents and pollution from transportation mishaps – mainly account for why the zone of very high stress reaches up into northern Alberta.

Polluted water can contain pesticides, sewage, bacteria and chemicals, which can cause various health issues. It can also increase chloride levels by between 100 and up to as much as 4,000 times, which can have harmful effects on plant life.

Soil pollution is caused by pesticides, acid rain, oil and chemical spills, and road salt

Although it is not yet a major problem in Canada, soil pollution is caused by pesticides, acid rain, oil and chemical spills, and road salt. Oil refineries are the main source of soil contamination and up to 12% of the soil in Alberta's forests contains high levels of acid. De-icing the roads is a necessity during Canadian winters, but the sodium chloride present in road salt can contaminate the soil from runoff.

Water pollution in Canada is caused by population growth and industrialization. The worst cases of water pollution occur in the southern parts of the country, where most people live and most agricultural and industrial activities occur. Eight of the 11 watersheds currently assessed are classified as having high or very high pollution threat levels. These are often areas with significant development (mines, industry), large municipalities or important agricultural areas. As threat levels vary across the country, so do the main sources of pollution. For example, pollution in the Saint John River is caused by the pulp and paper industry, the oil industry, food and agriculture, and forestry.

Water pollution can affect inland waters such as lakes, rivers and groundwater, as well as coastal marine waters. Polluted water can contain pesticides, sewage, bacteria and chemicals, which can cause various health issues. It can also increase chloride levels by between 100 and up to 4,000 times, which can have harmful effects on plant life.

Point source pollution, including wastewater effluents, industrial discharges and urban runoff, is the largest contributor to water pollution in many regions

In Canada, the worst cases of water pollution occur in the southern parts of the country, where most people live and most agricultural and industrial activities occur. Eight of the 11 watersheds currently assessed are classified as having high or very high pollution threat levels.

Water pollution can also be caused by pesticides, sewage, bacteria, and chemicals, which can cause various health issues. Oil refineries are the main source of soil contamination, and up to 12% of the soil in Alberta's forests contains high levels of acid. Although it is not yet a major problem in Canada, soil pollution is caused by pesticides, acid rain, oil and chemical spills, and road salt.

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