Loading...
The Citizen, 1997-10-01, Page 9THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1,1997. PAGE 9. MVCA outlines water quality trends The issue of water quality is currently being hotly debated throughout Huron and Perth Counties. Although much of the attention has focused on bacterial contamination, particularly e-coli levels, research shows that there is no single cause of water pollution. Instead, poor water quality is an extremely complex problem that stems from multiple sources. The Maitland Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) in conjunction with the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Energy has been monitoring the quality of water in area streams and rivers for over 30 years. These monitoring studies have been conducted with federal, provincial and municipal funding. Study results have identified a variety of pollution sources including: runoff from manure storages and manure handling techniques, sub-standard septic systems, milkhouse waste water, sewage treatment plants, urban runoff (fertilizers, storm water, etc.) livestock access to water courses and agricultural fertilizers. The relative contribution of these sources is not yet known although their impact does fluctuate during the year and varies between the sub-basins in the Maitland and Nine Mile watersheds. The MVCA, and other agencies working on water quality issues, have noted that none of these sources of contamination inherently cause pollution. The critical factors in water pollution are the management practices being used by rural and urban residents. In essence, environmental management practices determine pollution conditions. Staff at the MVCA also report that the ability of the environment to handle nutrients has declined. According to Rick Steele, resource planner with the MVCA, the components of watershed ecosystems that bind or use nutrients have been reduced. "The existence of the tile drains leading straight to water courses, the removal of stream bank vegetation and the reduction in forest cover all limit the ability of the ecosystem to absorb nutrients," said Steele. The results of the MVCA studies indicate a number of water quality trends. SOLVE Continued from page 1 ment, but can actually be a more cost-effective method of dealing with this dangerous waste," he said. "We may find that these new technologies aren't so new after all. To date, Nature Tech, SHAC and Phillips Engineering have provided financial support for this study." The reason for assembling the SOL=VE partnership, said Prout, is so all parties can be comfortable with the collection and analysis process as well as the interpreta­ tion. "We understand the impor­ tance of credibility, all factors being considered. We want these results to withstand the tightest scrutiny." "One of the great benefits of this study will be to finally put in black and white the sources of the pollu­ tion so we can all move forward with solutions," said Gleason. Ultimately, the end goal, Prout said, is "to encourage leadership by government officials and appropri­ ate action by industry, municipali­ ties and residents — whether through legislation or public pres­ sure. 1. Nitrate levels in major water courses in the Maitland watershed have been steadily increasing since the early 1970s. Readings now exceed acceptable levels in most area rivers and streams. The major contributions of nitrates include: sub-standard septic systems, agricultural fertilizers, urban run-off and sewage treatment facilities. 2. Increases in bacteria counts appear to be event oriented. This means that rather than an increasing or decreasing trend over time, bacteria levels exhibit sharp increases followed by equally sharp declines. These spikes may relate to rainfall or snow melt washing manure or sewage into water courses as well as manure and sewage spills. 3. Phosphorous readings are above desired levels in area streams and rivers but have remained fairly consistent since 1965. 4. Several other indicators of water quality have improved across the Maitland and Nine Mile watersheds, particularly since 1987. Water temperatures have been declining and dissolved oxygen levels have been increasing. Cooler water contains more oxygen and oxygen is critical for the survival of stream organisms. Water sample has also shown that biological oxygen demand (BOD) readings are declining. BOD relates to the organic loadings found in water courses. This improvement can be traced to improved sewage facilities, reductions in the amount of solid manure entering streams and improvements in food processing practices. There are a number of government and farming agencies working on water quality issues. Locally these groups include the Huron County Health Unit, MVCA, Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority, Ontario Ministry of Environment and Energy, Ontario Ministry of Auxiliary members meet Twenty-six members attended the September Auxiliary to Wing­ ham and District Hospital meeting. Welcomed by President Margaret MacLeod, members were thanked by Noreen Gnay on behalf of the hospital board for the recent purchase of equipment for the hospital. Gnay also gave members a brief history of the blood donor clinic which the auxiliary helps organize every year. The August blood donor clinic had a very good response with 163 units collected. Helen M. Hetherington Financial Planning Consultant HFP Associated Financial Planners Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Environmental Farm Plan, Huron County Federation of Agriculture, and the Huron Park Producers' Association. There is a recognized need for co-operation amongst these groups and discussions are underway concerning the sharing of information on water pollution issues. Due to recent funding cutbacks many successful water quality services have been eliminated, including the highly successful Clean Up Rural Beaches program. The only remaining local programs are the Environmental Farm Plan program, the Best Management Practices guidelines issued by Agriculture Canada and OMAFRA, and the Water Quality Assessment Service offered by the MVCA. The MVCA’s Water Quality Assessment Service involves site- sp'ecific monitoring of water quality. Monitoring results are used to develop an assessment of stream conditions that includes recommendations for resolving problems. The service is available to municipalities and landowners on a cost recovery basis. The MVCA is nearing completion of a three-year initiative known as the Ecosystem Health Project (EHP). This project has focused on identifying sub-basins in the Maitland and Nine Mile watersheds that are susceptible to water pollution problems. Various components of sub-basins such as surface water courses, forest cover, and the amount of artificial drainage were measured. This information was then used to identify those sub-basins most at risk for pollution problems. With regards to water quality, the EHP assessed stream health based on sampling for stream organisms rather than chemical testing. The sample of stream invertebrates enables a more comprehensive assessment of aquatic health to be made compared to chemical testing This was helped along with a welcome turnout from the Mennonite community. An update of the hospital restructuring was also given by Gnay as well as the changes in the District Health Council. President MacLeod thanked her for all the time and effort she has put into her work on the hospital board. The fall tea held at the home of Jane Treleaven of Lucknow had a very good turnout. Members from Continued on page 13 ATTENTION - Existing RRSP Holders who turn 69, 70 or 71 this year! You must BEGIN TO DE REGISTER your RRSPs by December 31 of this year. There are only 3 alternatives to choose from: 1) Cash in an RRSP 2) Purchase an annuity 3) Transfer RRSP assets to a RRIF /or LIF Interest rates are near 40-year lows. Are you looking for higher yet conservative returns? How about steady income.growth 6t more favourable tax treatment? Call me for a consultation in the privacy of your own home. 887-9964 or 1-800-869-8922 and only provides information on water conditions at the moment the sample was taken. Results from the EHP will assist MVCA staff and landowners in understanding the environmental conditions of a specific sub-basin. In addition, the report will help landowners to develop realistic expectations for their property. According to Steele, "Not every stream will be able to support a trout population nor will every forest patch contain a showy lady's- slipper orchid." One intriguing result from the EHP has been the recognition that some streams are starved for energy. The removal of trees and shrubs from stream banks means that leaves and debris, critical for the survival of stream organisms, are not entering the stream system. Even with water quality improvements the health of some streams will remain impaired unless trees and shrubs are planted along their banks. With approximately 80 per cent NOMINATIONS NOTICE TO MUNICIPAL ELECTORS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF EAST WAWANOSH Nominations in the Township of East Wawanosh for the offices of: Municipal Positions: Reeve Four Councillors may be made by completing and filing In the office of the Clerk, nominations in the prescribed form. Nominations for the Police Village of Auburn: Three Trustees (nominations received in West Wawanosh Township) School Board Positions shared with other municipalities: Nominations for the District Public School Board No. 8 for the Counties of Huron and Perth (nominations received In Town of Goderich). Nominations for the English Language Separate District School Board No. 36 for the Counties of Huron and Perth (nominations received In Town of Goderich). Nominations for the French Language Separate District School Board No. 63 representing the Counties of Lambton, Huron and Bruce (nominations received In City of Sarnia). Nominations for the French Language Public District School Board No. 58 representing the Counties of Kent, Lambton and Huron (nominations received In the City of Chatham. may be made by completing and filing In the office of the respective Clerk, nominations In the prescribed form. A nomination must be signed by the candidate and may be filed In person or by an agent on any day in the year that Is after March 31,1997 and Is before October 10,1997, at a time when the Clerk’s office is open or on October 10, 1997, (Nomination Day) between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. A prescribed nomination filing fee ($100) must accompany the nomination form. The fee shall be paid In cash or by certified cheque or money order made payable to the municipality. A nomination must be certified by the Clerk before such person becomes a certified candidate for the office to which she or he Is nominated. In the event there are an Insufficient number of certified candidates to fill all positions available, nominations will be reopened for the vacant positions only on Wednesday, October 15, 1997, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and such additional nominations, If required may be filed in the office of the Clerk. Electors are hereby given notice that If a greater number of candidates are certified than are required to fill the said offices, voting places will be opened on the dates stated below for the purpose of voting. ADVANCE VOTE: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1997, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the East Wawanosh Municipal Office. VOTING DAY: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1997, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Belgrave Community Centre. DATED THIS 24TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 1997. of the land base in Huron County being used for agriculture it is not surprising that much of the blame for water quality problems has fallen on the farming community. Local agencies concerned about water quality are stressing to the public that water pollution stems from a variety of sources and all these sources must be dealt with in order to restore the health of area streams and rivers. Phil Beard, MVCA general manager, suggests, "a co-operative approaching involving both rural and urban interests will be necessary to successfully implement solutions." "Identifying solutions must begin with an assessment of management practices at the individual and community levels." The MVCA is encouraging people interested in finding out about local water quality conditions or participating in the Water Quality Assessment Service to contact the Authority at 519-335- 3557. Winona E. Thompson, Municipal Clerk, TOWNSHIP OF EAST WAWANOSH.