Kawartha Conservation staff prepare for busy water quality sampling season

MARCH 24, 2022 – Kawartha Conservation’s Integrated Watershed Management (IWM) staff are preparing for an active water quality monitoring program this year, with several areas being tested throughout the spring, summer, and fall throughout City of Kawartha Lakes, Durham Region, and surrounding areas as part of the Provincial Water Quality Monitoring Network (PWQMN).

The program, coordinated by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), operates in collaboration with conservation authorities across the province to establish long-term baselines of water quality, detect changes in water quality, and to create an open data source for water quality in the rivers and streams of Ontario.

“The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks coordinates the program, provides our team with supplies and equipment, and completes laboratory analysis for each individual water sample,” explained Tanner Liang, Kawartha Conservation’s Water Quality Specialist. “Kawartha Conservation is responsible for collecting samples from each site in our jurisdiction and providing local expertise and knowledge to the Ministry.”

Kawartha Conservation’s IWM department collects samples from across the region including from the Scugog River, Pigeon River, Nonquon River, Blackstock Creek, Mariposa Brook, Balsam Lake Outlet, Gull River, Sturgeon Lake Outlet, Cameron Lake Outlet, and Burnt River on a monthly basis as part of this program.

“Throughout the winter, we measure nutrients, suspended solids, and chloride levels, but as we transition to the standard sampling season from April to November, we will be testing for metals and carbon as well,” said Tanner. “Monitoring each of these parameters year after year helps provide a clearer picture about the health and history of our water.”

“Our participation in the PWQMN program allows us to collect and share valuable data with the government and other organizations in efforts to better understand water quality characteristics across Ontario.”

To access water quality data from the PWQMN program, visit the MECP’s PWQMN Data Portal.

To learn more about Kawartha Conservation’s watershed monitoring, visit our Watershed Monitoring webpage.