Greta Jimenez
The Don River, which runs through Toronto, Canada, has a long history of pollution. In 1958, the Don River was described as heavily polluted and laden with scum. Since then, the river has been the subject of various cleanup efforts, with some success. However, as of 2021, the river still suffers from sewage pollution during heavy rainfalls, and is a significant source of plastic pollution in Lake Ontario. The Don River's landscape is slowly being regenerated and revitalised, but it remains a highly urbanised river with poor water quality ratings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Water quality | Poor |
| Phosphorus levels | 5 times higher than Ontario's target |
| Bacteria from pet waste, leaky sewers and sewage overflows | 30 times greater than the safe limit |
| Chloride levels | 68% increase over the past 20 years |
| Plastic pollution | High |
| Sewage pollution | High |
| Stormwater runoff | High |
| Streambank erosion | Present |
| Flooding | Increased during storms |
| Fish species | Pollution-tolerant and high-temperature tolerant |
| River regeneration | Ongoing |
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What You'll Learn
The Don River's history of pollution
The Don River, which flows through Toronto, Canada, has a long history of pollution. In the 1880s, the lower part of the river was straightened and channelled to create additional harbour space for boats. This project, known as "The Don Improvement Project", was intended to divert polluted waters into the Ashbridges Bay marsh, but it proved unsuccessful. Instead, the mouth of the river was turned 90 degrees west, emptying into the inner harbour and creating the Keating Channel.
During the early 20th century, the river continued to be neglected, with 31 separate sewage treatment facilities constructed along its banks. Sewers were laid through ravines in the Don Valley to carry sewage, offal, and industrial effluents, resulting in pollution and foul odours that persisted until the late 1950s. In the 1960s, more changes were made to the river's course to accommodate the construction of the Don Valley Parkway, further straining the river's health.
The pollution in the Don River has been well documented, with high levels of phosphorus, nitrates, and chloride found in the water. These pollutants come from fertilizers, wastewater, natural materials, and road salt. In 2007, the river received a "poor" rating of 34.8 out of 100 on the federal Canadian Environmental Sustainability Index. The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority also gave the water quality a failing grade.
The river has been described as having waters heavily polluted and laden with scum, with a strong sewage smell. In her 2014 book, "Reclaiming the Don", Prof. Bonnell discussed the history of the Don River as a story of neglect and abuse. The river has even caught fire twice due to the high levels of pollution.
Despite these challenges, there have been efforts to regenerate and revitalise the Don River. Since the cessation of industrial pollution and cleanup efforts, several species of fish have returned to the river, and there is a limited sports fishery. In 2024, Waterfront Toronto completed a project to connect the Don River to a new mouth, creating a new island called Ookwemin Minising. The city is also investing $3 billion to build tunnels to divert sewage away from the river and towards a treatment plant, with an expected completion date of 2038.
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Plastic pollution in the Don River
The Don River, which runs through Toronto, Canada's largest city, into Lake Ontario, has been heavily polluted for decades. In the 1950s, the river was described as "heavily polluted and laden with scum, its banks littered with all varieties of filth, and the whole sending up foul odours." Princess Margaret, during her 1958 Royal Tour of Canada, encountered the river's foul odours, heavily polluted waters, and scum-laden banks.
The Don River has been the subject of numerous improvement initiatives over the years, including the Don Improvement Project in the 1960s, which aimed to straighten the river's course and divert polluted water into Ashbridges Bay marsh. However, these efforts have had limited success, and the river remains contaminated by sewage, industrial waste, and other pollutants.
Plastic pollution is a significant issue affecting the Don River. The University of Toronto's Trash Team investigated the extent and types of plastic pollution in the river. They found that the majority of the litter collected was plastic trash mixed with woody debris. Their findings estimated that over 650 kg of plastic litter enters Lake Ontario from the Don River annually, including Styrofoam, large plastic fragments, water bottles, bottle caps, food wrappers, balls, straws, and cigarette butts.
The Don River has the highest percentage of urban area of any river in Canada, contributing to the high levels of plastic pollution. Intense urbanization and paved surfaces in the watershed have reduced the opportunity for stormwater to seep into the soil, resulting in increased flooding and streambank erosion. The river's water quality has been rated as poor, with high levels of pollutants such as phosphorus, nitrates, and chloride.
Efforts are being made to improve the water quality and reduce plastic pollution in the Don River. PortsToronto manages a boom system that captures litter at the river mouth before it enters Lake Ontario. The collected litter is recycled or sorted into recyclables and non-recyclables. Additionally, the city is investing $3 billion to construct tunnels and stormwater storage shafts to divert sewage away from the river and towards a treatment plant. While progress is being made, the river still has a long way to go before it can be safely enjoyed by the community.
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Sewage pollution in the Don River
The Don River, which flows through Toronto, Canada, has been heavily polluted for decades. In the 1950s, the river was described as "heavily polluted and laden with scum, its banks littered with all varieties of filth, and the whole sending up foul odours." Princess Margaret, who visited Toronto in 1958, had to cross over the Don River via a footbridge to reach Riverdale Park.
The river's pollution stems primarily from sewage and wastewater. In the 1880s, sewers were laid through ravines in the Don Valley to carry sewage, offal, and industrial effluents, resulting in pollution and foul odours that persisted until the late 1950s. Since then, the city has made some improvements, such as installing wastewater storage tanks and requiring homeowners to disconnect downspouts. However, sewage pollution remains a significant issue during heavy rainfalls when storm sewers carrying rainwater and sewage overflow into the Don River and its tributaries.
The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority has given the Don River watershed a failing grade, indicating that the water quality is "very poor." The river's key pollutants include phosphorus, nitrates, and chloride. Phosphorus, found in fertilizers and human and animal waste, is particularly problematic, with levels in the Don River five times higher than Ontario's target of 0.03 milligrams per litre. Bacteria from pet waste, leaky sewers, and sewage overflows also pose a significant issue, with measurements on the lower Don River typically 30 times greater than the safe level for swimming set by Ontario.
The Don River is not an isolated case of urban river pollution. Across communities with poor environmental processes and lax law enforcement, urban rivers become dangerous places where pollution poses risks to fish, birds, paddlers, and people. In the case of the Don River, billions are cut from public services that are necessary to properly treat and prevent discharges of sewage, stormwater, and other pollutants. As a result, the chance of safely paddling the Don River is slim.
Efforts are being made to improve the water quality of the Don River. The city of Toronto is investing $3 billion to construct three tunnels totalling 22 kilometres in length to divert sewage away from the river and towards the Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant. Additionally, various groups have undertaken cleanup efforts, and the river has shown some signs of regeneration, with several species of fish returning to its waters.
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The Don River's water quality
The Don River, which flows through Toronto, Canada, has a long history of pollution. In the 1950s, the river was described as "heavily polluted and laden with scum," with foul odours emanating from its waters. Over the years, the Don River has been impacted by industrial pollution, sewage overflows, and urban runoff, leading to poor water quality.
In the late 1800s, the lower part of the Don River was straightened and channelled to create additional harbour space. This alteration was known as "The Don Improvement Project" and was intended to divert polluted waters into the Ashbridges Bay marsh. However, this initiative proved unsuccessful, and further modifications were made to the river's course.
Into the 1960s, more changes were implemented to accommodate the construction of the Don Valley Parkway. The river's natural meander was constricted and straightened, and its tributaries were piped and paved over. As a result, the water quality deteriorated significantly, with the river even catching fire on two occasions.
Today, the Don River still faces challenges with water pollution. Sewage remains an issue, particularly during heavy rainfalls when storm sewers overflow. The river has also been identified as a source of plastic pollution, with an estimated 650 kg of plastic litter entering Lake Ontario annually. Additionally, the river receives runoff from streets, including pollutants such as road salt and chloride, which have increased over the years.
Despite the ongoing issues, there are efforts to improve the water quality of the Don River. The city of Toronto is investing $3 billion to construct tunnels that will divert sewage away from the river and towards a treatment plant. Environmental groups have also been working on cleanup efforts, and some regeneration has been observed, with the return of several fish species to the river. The Don River watershed is also being revitalized, providing a unique connection to nature for Toronto residents.
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Efforts to clean up the Don River
The Don River in Toronto has been described as the "'most-messed-with river" in Canada. In 1958, the Don River was described by The Globe and Mail as having "waters heavily polluted and laden with scum, its banks littered with all varieties of filth, and the whole sending up foul odours.". In 1969, a mock funeral was held for the Don River, with a couple of hundred mourners parading a casket to its banks.
Since then, massive recovery efforts have been undertaken to clean up the Don River and restore its natural state. For example, in 2007, Waterfront Toronto announced an international competition to develop a "world-class" plan for the river, aiming to transform 125 hectares around its mouth and Keating Channel into parklands and mixed-use residential neighbourhoods.
The groundwater quality in the watershed has been rated as "good," particularly in the Oak Ridges Moraine, the source of the Don River. However, as the river flows south, it gathers more pollutants, and measurements on the lower Don River often exceed safe levels for swimming.
Key issues contributing to the pollution of the Don River include nutrient enrichment through phosphorus, found in fertilizers and human and animal waste. Additionally, bacteria from pet waste, leaky sewers, and sewage overflows, as well as increased levels of chloride from road salt, have been identified as significant pollutants.
- Removing impermeable surfaces too close to ravine slopes and restoring natural vegetation and wetlands.
- Replanting native trees and shrubs and removing channelized sections of the river.
- Addressing and repairing old and failing storm and sewer infrastructure associated with the Don River.
- Educating the public, particularly those living in the Don watershed, on stream stewardship and the importance of keeping the river clean.
- Reducing or removing contaminant sources, such as excessive phosphorus levels and bacteria from pet waste and sewage.
- Proper waste disposal and reducing the use of single-use plastic items to prevent plastic pollution from entering the river and, subsequently, Lake Ontario.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Don River is heavily polluted.
The Don River's pollution sources include phosphorus, nitrates, and chloride. Phosphorus is found in fertilizers and human and animal waste. The chloride comes from road salt. The river also receives pollution from pipes that discharge mixtures of street runoff and sewage into the river without filters, sediment ponds, or containment controls.
The pollution in the Don River has had a significant impact on the river's ecosystem. The river has been described as "lifeless" and having a "smell of sewage." The river water is not safe for swimming, and the fish species present are limited to those that are pollution-tolerant and high-temperature tolerant.
Yes, there have been efforts to improve the water quality of the Don River. The city is investing $3 billion to construct three tunnels totalling 22 kilometres in length to divert sewage away from the river and towards a treatment plant. Additionally, since the cessation of industrial pollution, cleanup efforts by various groups have led to the regeneration of the river, with several fish species returning.
