FRENCHRIVERWATER QUALITY REPORT CARD – May 2013

Ratings Legend: All readings based on ug/L (micro grams per litre) of Phosphorus.

A – Average 12 or lower with no results over 20.

B – Average 15 or lower with no more than 20% of the results over 20.

C – Average 15 or lower with more than 20% of results over 20.

D – Average 15 or higher.

F – Average 20 or higher.

The sampling data used was mainly from the FRSC sampling program 2007 to 2010 and from the Hutchinson Report data 1993 to 1995 in areas where more current data was not available.

The FRSC’s Target is to get all areas of our river to an “A” rating.

June 2012

The science committee of the FRSC has completed a four year water sampling report along the entire length of theFrenchRiver. The resulting report looked at nutrient loading and in some specific areas e-coli levels. The results of our study were combined with work done in the early to mid nineties as presented in the Hutchison Report. We have also reviewed the work completed by other cottage associations and the Ministry of the Environment.

The water quality program conducted over the past four years showed a significant negative impact on our water quality resulting from the operation of sewage lagoons. This negative impact is also seen as the major contributing factor to ongoing blue/green algae blooms.

In addition we have raised concerns regarding private sewage handling systems and recommended bylaws aimed at reducing the impact of these systems.

For the past four years we have been presenting our findings to our local municipal council, to the MOE, the Public Health Department and provided a summary presentation of findings at our annual meetings. Our reports included recommendations for both mitigating identified problems as well as recommendations to ensure the longer term protection of our water quality. We have received cooperation from all these groups, albeit action was slower than we would have wanted at times.

Actions that have taken place as a result of our efforts:

The management and operating practices at our local sewage treatment lagoons has improved. Equipment additions and improvements were made based on input from the FRSC. Operating practices were improved resulting in some improvement of effluent quality in 2010 and 2011, there is however still work to do.

A report noting the infiltration problems into the Noelville sewage system was identified to the Mayor and CAO during a review of the Trow engineering report. The FRSC recommended that a letter be sent to Noelville residence asking them to remove storm water connections which were entering the sanitary sewage system and reroute them to the storm sewer system. If all residence complied we estimated a loading reduction at the Lagoons of up to 40 %.  A review of the 2011 flows to the Lagoons system indicates that a good start has been made with a 20% measurable improvement made to date.

Although a last resort we have requested formal inspection by MOE and Health department investigators at business and residential sites. In all cases problems and deficiencies that were confirmed by inspections were repaired.

The FRSC is currently preparing a detailed report which we will provide to our local council, the council environment committee, the SDHU and the MOE. We will review this report at our annual meeting this July. 

January 2010

Fisheries Management

The Ministry of Natural Resources completed the sampling of fish from 3 parts of the river as planned in November

Detailed information from this study will be available early in 2010 – stay tuned.

We thank the MNR for their support and continuing efforts to help improve the fishing experience on our river.

The Stewardship council will begin to study identified spawning sites in late April and then develop and implement activities to rehabilitate or enhance these locations.

New Web Site….. www.frenchriverstewardship.ca

We now have a new web site containing much more information about our activities, our volunteers, and our projects.

The site includes a ‘members only’ section where we post copies of our membership meeting minutes and other material for the exclusive use of our membership.

Members will receive ‘how to access’ information in a mailing early in 2010.

Please visit us frequently as we will update the information on a regular basis.

Lagoon Project

We are pleased to report that the Municipality has requested a Sudbury engineering firm to prepare a septage plan. The primary purpose of the septage plan is to provide a tool and source information for determining total septage generated currently, current system capacity, future 20 year treatment capacity needs, and how these needs can be best met.

The study will also look at minimizing effluent impact on receiving waters. Although only a first step, we see this as a positive and proactive beginning.

Water Sampling and blue green algae

In the fall of this year we completed the third year of our three year sampling project. The project saw volunteers collect over 180 samples during the spring to fall period. The results of our 2009 samples are expected from the Ontario Lake Partner Program by April of 2010 at which time we will issue a final report. A select few sample sites will be continued in areas where water quality and blue green algae blooms are of concern.  Finding solutions to these critical water issues will require support from all government levels and the local community. Please plan to attend our public and members meeting this summer for a more complete update on our efforts to date.

Thank You

You Stewardship Council thanks all those who have supported us through memberships and donations and hard work. We encourage you to contact us with questions and suggestions, to learn more about our waterways and ways you can help to improve our water quality.

www.frenchriverstewardship.ca

November 2008

As winter approaches and our water turns to ice, your Stewardship Council is busy preparing for some activities in 2009.

Water testing was completed at 14 locations on the French River in 2008 and samples were taken from early in April to mid October – at least 5 times from most locations, some as many as 9 times.

A more comprehensive testing program was also undertaken for 2 locations in Ranger Bay as we recognized the heavier population density and felt we should try and get more data from this area.

As we receive the results of this program, we expect to have a better understanding of our current water quality levels, can compare this year’s findings with previous data, and begin to see some trends in the changes, specifically in the level of phosphates in the water.

At least one more year of similar testing will be needed to establish solid base line measurements throughout our system.

Over the winter we are busy planning the following:

Tree planting program with the local schools for late May or early June 2009.

More comprehensive testing program for the river system for 2009

Education program about the various logos used to identify products used in your home and garden

Proceeding with Incorporation as a charitable organization – targeting to have this in place for the 2009

Plans for the 2009 Public Meeting – will be held in July!!

Fund raising activities

For continuing information got to

Phosphates and what they mean to you!

This is a simple layman’s explanation of phosphates as they relate to water quality

Phosphates enter the water system in many ways, some natural, and some directly related to human activities.

Shoreline land use and human impact are usually the dominant cause of increasing level of phosphorous in our water

Phosphates are a good thing at the right levels.  When the levels get too high – water quality deteriorates.

The Sturgeon Bay area, just west of Point au Baril, is an example of how things can go wrong, and is a great example of why your stewardship Council is doing their work now ands is concerned that we don’t become another Sturgeon Bay.

For more information about the issues at Sturgeon Bay, go to  www.oursturgeonbay.com

Phosphorous is measured in `parts per billion (ppb).

Generally, a concentration of 5 to 10 ppb is considered healthy for a fresh water environment.

Readings in the 10 to 15 ppb range are a signal for concern

Readings above 15 ppb indicate there are water quality problems

As we get the results of our 2008 testing, we should be able to identify specific areas where we work to improve water quality

In 2009, we plan a more comprehensive education and information program to work with any area where we see phosphate levels that are too high.  This proactive management is the best way to make sure we avoid major problems in the future

French River Water Stewardship Council News

Water Sampling 2007 results:

Thanks to the assistance of the Ontario Lake Partner Program we were able to sample 12 locations along the French River during our 2007 cottage season. Three sets of samples were taken at each location one in spring, one in summer and the third in the fall. Sampling focused on nutrient loading as measured by total phosphorus in ug/l. (Micrograms per litre).

A detailed review of our findings will be provided at our membership meeting this summer. Sample results will be posted on our web site, www.frenchriverwater.ca prior to the meeting.

Projects under review for 2008:

• We plan continue the water sampling project for the next two or more years so that we can establish a water quality trend line.
• We will be monitoring the blue green algae work being completed by various government agencies and will formally request input and updates on behalf of the community.
• To give all residence an opportunity for information sharing and input we plan to hold a public meeting again this summer. 

Membership:

  The French River Stewardship Council currently has 55 full memberships and approximately 440 association members. Individual memberships have voting rights and receive information packages in the mail on an annual or more frequent basis. The cost of a full membership is $25 per year.

Associate memberships can be purchased by your cottage association or other group. Associate memberships are given up to 2 seats on our council, and all members are invited to our public meetings through their respective associations.

For more information check our web site. To purchase a membership send your phone number and address with a check to The French River Stewardship Council, RR 2, Site 1, Box 21 Alban, On. P0M 1A0.