• This beach closed for swimming!
• Preserving the Oak Ridges Moraine
• The water we drink...
• You can make a difference - help reduce water pollution
• Measuring water wasted due to leaks
• Optimize your irrigation system
• Reducing water use in backyard pools
• City conducts Stormwater Management Demonstration Study in Swansea
• June is Toronto's Water Awareness month
• Toronto turns green, naturally!
• Contact us
• Back to Water Watch index

This beach closed for swimming!
We've all seen the signs. They usually appear after heavy rain. And they demonstrate the impact of stormwater pollution on our city's water quality. An increase in the E.coli bacteria levels in lake water causes Toronto Public Health to post a sign warning that swimming is a risk to your health. Other Canadian and international cities may not sample and post their beaches as conscientiously as we do. Some famous beaches allow swimming in water with much higher E.coli counts. By learning about stormwater pollution and combined sewer overflows and then taking action to help reduce these, you can help keep the beaches open for swimming and improve lake and stream water quality.

What is stormwater?
It's water from nature in the form of rain (usually) or melting snow and ice. Stormwater will either soak into the earth and replenish groundwater, or it will run off across hard surfaces, such as driveways and roads, into road-side drains and the city's sewer systems. The drains (catch basins) along the curbs of our city streets are connected to pipes leading either directly to our creeks, rivers and Lake Ontario or to combined sewers which may overflow to these water courses during heavy rains. Whatever goes down the street drains will flow directly into the natural environment. Every property in the city contributes to this stormwater flow!

Stormwater picks up pollutants as it flows across the hard surfaces. Oil, grease, dirt, bacteria from animal waste, road salt, litter, pesticides and other toxic pollutants, such as chemical wash-off from industrial or commercial sites, all end up in the flowing stormwater. Plus, in many older parts of the city, stormwater and sewage are collected in the same pipe, known as a combined sewer. During normal conditions, all the wastewater in the combined sewer is treated at a sewage treatment plant. However, during heavy rainfalls or spring thaws, the volume of wastewater in the combined sewers vastly increases. The system becomes overloaded. Built-in overflows (called combined sewer overflows) act as relief points, allowing excess flows to leave the sewer system before treatment, emptying into the nearest river or Lake Ontario. This overflow wastewater is a diluted mixture of sewage and stormwater and contains E.coli bacteria.

What's the city doing?
The city has a number of projects to reduce stormwater pollution and combined sewer overflows. Through a process called the Wet Weather Flow Management Master Plan, staff, environmentalists, government agencies and public representatives are working on a plan that will manage wet weather flows across the city. The plan will look at stormwater as a resource to be used in a positive way in the city's environment. For more information about the Master Plan please call, Ann Marie Weselan, Public Consultation Co-ordinator at 392-2962 or e-mail: awesela@toronto.ca

Many homes add to the volume of wastewater in the combined sewers during a storm by leaving their eavestrough downspouts connected to the sewer. Toronto's Downspout Disconnection Program provides residents with a free service to disconnect downspouts and install a rain barrel. For information, call 392-1807.

Two underground detention tanks at Toronto's eastern beaches capture and hold combined sewer overflows and stormwater, which in the past went directly into the lake, until the system can handle the volume. A similar project in west-end Toronto, the Western Beaches Storage Tunnel, is expected to be operating by the end of 2000.

What can you do?
For tips on how you can help reduce water pollution, please see 'You can make a difference'.

Preserving the Oak Ridges Moraine
Toronto City Council is working with a number of conservation organizations, local residents and other municipalities to protect the Oak Ridges Moraine, one of the most unique landforms in southern Ontario, from development. The city also asks our provincial and federal governments to join in efforts to preserve this fragile ecosystem for future generations.

The Oak Ridges Moraine is a ridge of rolling hills and river valleys extending 160 km from the Niagara Escarpment to Rice Lake. It was formed 12,000 years ago by glaciers. The moraine sands and gravel deposits act like a giant sponge, absorbing rain and snow melt. This underground water (aquifer) is then stored, filtered and slowly released as cool, fresh water to the 65 rivers and streams flowing north into Lakes Simcoe and Scugog and south into Lake Ontario (Federation of Ontario Naturalists, 1999).

The moraine is the last remaining continuous green corridor in southern Ontario. It is still 30 per cent forested. Its 130 wetlands, unique kettle lakes and century old woodlots are home to more than 900 species of plants. It is also one of the last refuges for birds and animals in southern Ontario.

Toronto City Council recognizes the importance of preserving this valuable part of our natural heritage. The moraine's native plants, birds and animals depend on us to save their natural habitats from development.

City Council formed the Oak Ridges Moraine Steering Committee to protect the moraine from development. Toronto residents can get involved by calling or writing their local councillors, MPPs and MPs to ask for their help in protecting the moraine. Residents can find out more background on the moraine by visiting such web sites as www.stormco.org or www.toronto.ca/moraine/index.htm or www.ontarionature.org

The water we drink...

City controls smelly water
Toronto Water Supply staff are working to complete a $6 million programme to reduce taste and odour in drinking water. Taste and odour episodes typically occur during the warm weather period. Although tap water remains safe to drink during a taste and odour event, changes have been made at the city's four water treatment plants for taste and odour control. Last year, the city successfully installed powdered activated carbon systems at the R. L. Clark (Etobicoke) and the F. J. Horgan (Scarborough) Filtration plants to reduce taste and odour levels in the water supplied to the eastern and western areas of the city. A granular activated carbon system was installed at the Toronto Island Plant last fall and carbon filters are targeted to be online at the R. C. Harris Plant (Scarborough) by mid-summer.

Chlorine and your drinking water
Chlorine is a disinfectant that is added to drinking water to destroy harmful micro-organisms, such as bacteria, that are found in most natural bodies of water. While many micro-organisms are harmless, some may result in serious diseases if swallowed.

Prior to using chlorine to disinfect drinking water, diseases such as typhoid, cholera and dysentery caused widespread epidemics. Since adding chlorine to drinking water almost 90 years ago, water-related disease epidemics have been eliminated.

Experts agree that chlorine in drinking water in limited amounts is not a health concern. The concern however, is that chlorine could react with natural organic materials (such as decaying leaves) present in the water to create chemical byproducts [trihalomethanes (THM)].

These byproducts may be harmful if not maintained at very low levels. To ensure your safety, the federal government has set guidelines to limit the presence of these byproducts in our drinking water to below 100 parts per billion (ppb). THM levels in Toronto's tap water are less than 15 ppb, well below guidelines, and are not a health concern.

At Toronto's water treatment plants, chlorine is added after filtering the water to destroy any disease-causing organisms. While most of the excess chlorine is removed, a small amount is left in the water to protect your drinking water as it travels to your tap.

There are alternative disinfectants to chlorine such as ozone. However, none have been proven to be as effective in large systems. There is an increasing use of ozone as a disinfectant in North America. When ozone is used, a residual does not remain, it has byproducts of its own, and chlorine must be added to ensure that protection extends throughout the distribution system.

Lake Ontario water, like many natural sources, already has some fluoride present in low concentration. Our water treatment plants add additional fluoride after the filtration stage to raise the level to 0.8 mg/l. Health Canada has established this as a safe level that provides an important health benefit by reducing tooth decay by approximately 30 to 40 percent.

You can make a difference - help reduce water pollution
(Back to 'This beach closed for swimming!')

	Stoop and scoop animal waste.
	Check your car for leaks of fuel, oil, brake, transmission and other harmful fluids. Fix the leaks!
	Disconnect your home's roof downspouts from the sewer. You can register for the city's free Downspout Disconnection Program by calling 392-1807.
	Don't dump toxic (harmful) substances into the sewer system. Drop-off harmful products such as household cleaners, paints, pesticides, batteries and prescription medicines at Toronto's Household Hazardous Waste depots or at an Environment Day. Call the HHW Hotline at 416-392-4330 for locations and hours of operation, or 416-392-9585 for Environment Day events.
	Reduce or eliminate your use of fertilizers and pesticides.
	Replace paved surfaces such as asphalt and concrete driveways and patios around your home with absorbent surfaces. Consider using gravel, well-spaced interlocking bricks, grass or other groundcovers.

Measuring water wasted due to leaks
In one year, a leak of just one drop a second sends approximately 11,000 litres of water down the drain - enough water for about 200 five-minute showers. Leaks are the silent partner in water waste. Some leaks are obvious such as a dripping tap. Others are silent, such as leaking toilets, appliance connections and underground pipes.

Find and repair leaks
You can estimate the amount of water wasted by a leaky tap by counting the number of drips. One drip per minute equals 0.5 litres per day

Track your Drips

Optimize your irrigation system
Watering your lawn and garden with an efficient irrigation system is just one way to use water wisely while benefiting your plants and lawn.

An irrigation system is a collection of pipes, tubing, valves, sprinkler heads, and circuitry used to water your lawn and garden. Your automated in-ground sprinkler systems may not be working efficiently. Often, people set the irrigation timer (controller) to meet the worst case irrigation requirement (highest water use setting) and leave this setting on for the whole season.

Reduce over watering
You can reduce your water waste by setting your sprinkler system to use the proper amount of water when necessary. The key to a water efficient irrigation system is choosing a timer (controller) that allows you to control how much water is used and distributed in your landscape. There's an added bonus in that you can also set your timer to water during "off peak" times (11:00 p.m. to 8: 00 a.m.) when city-wide demand for water is lower.

If you are considering installing an irrigation system, contact a Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor (CLIA). If you already have an irrigation system, you can also have a CLIA review, audit and re-program your system for water efficiency.

Water saving features
Most gardens have a grassed area, flower beds, shrubs and trees. Each of these stations requires different amounts of watering on different days. Ideally, you want to choose an irrigation system that can handle diverse landscape and weather situations and can be programmed to meet your plants. water needs. Select a timer with:

	multiple independent programs allowing you to water different parts of the yard on different days
	station run times that can determine how long an area (station) can be watered
	odd/even weekly and interval program capability allowing for flexibility in deciding which days to water
	rain shut-off device (i.e. rain sensor) to automatically stop the watering cycle during rainfall @ must be purchased separately since it is not part of the timer (controller)
	water budgeting to increase or decrease the time required to water an area

	Choose an irrigation system that is designed to deliver water as evenly as possible
	Keep the heads in good repair

The Peak Pail can help reduce water waste
Buy your $15.00 Peak Pail by visiting Environment Days at various locations throughout Toronto all summer long. Call the Event Line, 392-9585 for dates and locations. The Peak Pail contains a water timer, trigger hose nozzle, washers, pail and sponge.

Reducing water use in backyard pools
On average, homes with swimming pools are estimated to use more than twice as much water outdoors as homes without swimming pools. Evaporation and backwashing contribute to increase water use. Every time you backwash your filter, you use 318 litres (70 gallons) of water. Save money on your water bill and reduce water use by:

	installing a pre-filter to your pool's skimmer basket to filter out very small particles before they reach the filter. A pre-filter can reduce backwashing to three or four times per season
	covering your pool when it's not in use. A pool cover will reduce heat loss by 40 percent and water loss by 30 percent. Covers help keep your pool cleaner and reduce the need to add chemicals
	checking for a leak in your pool and repairing it if detected. You may have a leak if you're constantly topping up your water level.

City conducts Stormwater Management Demonstration Study in Swansea
Works and Emergency Services is conducting a Stormwater Management Study around Ellis Avenue and Colborne Lodge Drive. The goal of this study is to develop effective stormwater quantity and quality management plans for mixed residential area in the Swansea community. The study will investigate a range of stormwater management techniques in consultation with residents and community groups.

Want to find out more?
Attend one of the following events:
Open House - May 31, 2000, 7 to 9 p.m.Swansea Townhall Community Centre, 95 Lavania Avenue

Site Tour of the study area June 3, 2000, 10 to 11 a.m., Meet at Swansea Townhall, 95 Lavinia Avenue

For details or to register for one these events, please call:

Mae Lee, Public Consultation Coordinator
Tel: 416-392-8210
Fax: 416-392-2974
TTY: 416-397-0831
E-mail: rlee5@toronto.ca
Visit our website at: www.toronto.ca/involved

June is Toronto's Water Awareness month
The City of Toronto is celebrating water awareness month with several planned events aimed at helping residents understand water-related issues. You can get a behind-the-scenes look at how water is collected, treated and distributed in the city. Join us for an open house and tour at the R. L. Clark Treatment Plant in Etobicoke on June 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The tour is free. Children must be accompanied by an adult. During the open house, you'll have an opportunity to pick up a convenient Toronto on tap refillable water bottle. These water bottles will also be available at the June Environment Days. Please call the Event Line at 392-9585 for a listing of the locations.

Toronto turns green, naturally!
The City of Toronto is working to reduce pesticide use in parks, sports fields, and roadsides by 97 percent. Now it's your turn. This summer, you too can get a green lawn without pesticides. Do it naturally, and you'll save money, and protect your health and the environment. To find out how to go natural, read our Green Guide to a healthy lawn pamphlet, which provides alternatives to pesticides and tips to creating a healthy lawn. Pesticides are poisons used to kill insects, weeds, plant diseases, and other pests. They include insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. Please stop using pesticides as they affect everyone's health. At particular risk are young people, whose size and under-developed immune system makes them particularly vulnerable. Pesticides pollute water too. Protecting the quality of our drinking water source is another good reason to stop using pesticides.

If your lawn is already natural, and you want your neighbours to know... post a pesticide free sign.

To order your sign or a copy of the green guide, please call 397-LAWN (5296) or check out these web sites for more information: www.toronto.ca/parks/pesticide.htm or www.toronto.ca/compost

WaterWatch is published twice a year, in the spring and fall by Works and Emergency Services. Send in your tips on water efficiency or ask us for more information.

Editor - Water Watch
City of Toronto, Works and Emergency Services
18th Floor, Metro Hall, Stn. 1180, 55 John St.,
Toronto, M5V 3C6

Fax: 392-2974
www.toronto.ca/water
E-mail: askwater@toronto.ca

La Ville espère éliminer les problèmes d'eau nauséabonde Le personnel de la Ville de Toronto espère que les problèmes d'eau nauséabonde seront réglés d'ici cet été grâce aux changements apportés à ces quatre stations de traitement des eaux. L'an dernier, la Ville a installé avec succès des systèmes de charbon actif en poudre aux stations R. L. Clark et F. J. Horgan Filtration pour atténuer le goût et l'odeur de l'eau alimentant les secteurs est et ouest de la ville. L'automne dernier, on a installé un système à charbon actif en grain à la station Island et la station R. C Harris devrait être prête au courant de l'été. L'installation de ces systèmes coûtera environ 6 millions de dollars à la Ville de Toronto. Selon les résultats obtenus, on envisagera d'autres solutions. En général, les problèmes de goût et d'odeur se produisent pendant la belle saison parce que l'eau atteint des températures plus élevées et que certaines algues se développent et se décomposent. Toutefois, l'eau du robinet reste potable malgré son mauvais goût et son odeur nauséabonde.

La Città di Toronto spera di eliminare il cattivo odore dell'acqua Il personale della Città di Toronto spera di vedere risolto, entro quest'estate, il problema del brutto odore dell'acqua potabile, adottando dei cambiamenti nei suoi quattro stabilimenti di filtrazione. L'anno scorso la Città installò con successo un sistema di filtrazione a carbone attivo negli stabilimenti chiamati R.L. Clark e F. J. Hogan, al fine di correggere il cattivo gusto e i livelli odore sgradevole dell'acqua fornita alle aree est e ovest della città. Inoltre, un sistema granulare attivo fu installato l'autunno scorso nello stabilimento di filtrazione dell'isola "Island Plant" e la città spera di potenziare anche lo stabilimento detto R. C. Harris, verso la fine dell'estate. L'installazione di questi sistemi di filtrazione costerà alla città circa 6 milioni di dollari. A seconda dell'efficacia dimostrata dai suddetti sistemi, la Città di Toronto deciderà se provare o meno altre metodologie per risolvere il problema. In quasi tutti i casi , il cattivo gusto e il brutto odore dell'acqua si sono verificati nella stagione estiva quando la temperatura dell'acqua è più alta e vi è maggiore crescita e decomposizione di alcuni tipi di alghe. Nonostante la presenza del cattivo gusto e dell'odore sgradevole, l'acqua dei rubinetti di casa può essere bevuta senza ricolo.

A Câmara Municipal de Toronto espera eliminar da água potável o cheiro e o gosto incomodativos Este verão, o pessoal camarário espera poder eliminar da água potável, o cheiro e o gosto incomodativos, graças às alterações efectuadas nas quatro estações de tratamento e filtração de água. O ano passado, o município de Toronto instalou, com sucesso, nas estações de tratamento e filtração de água "R. L. Clark" e "F. J. Horgan", sistemas que recorrem ao uso de carvão activado em pó, para eliminar o gosto e o cheiro da água que abastece as áreas oriental e ocidental da cidade. Com o mesmo fim, o município instalou, no outono passado, na estação de tratamento e filtração de água "Island", um sistema que utiliza o carvão activado granular. Prevê-se que, o mesmo venha a acontecer, na estação de tratamento e filtração de água "R.C. Harris", no fim deste verão. A instalação destes dois sistemas, custará ao município, cerca de $6 milhões de dólares. Dependendo dos resultados, assim o município pensará noutras soluções para o problema do cheiro e do gosto incomodativos existentes na água. De um modo geral, este problema verifica-se durante a estação quente, altura em que a água do lago atinge temperaturas mais elevadas, provocando o desenvolvimento e a decomposição de certo tipo de algas. Apesar do cheiro e do mau gosto, a água potável nunca deixou de oferecer as condições próprias para consumo.