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. ???