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. ???