The document entitled Water Watch describes different water quality conditions, the possible related problems and the possible causes. To view this document, click on the following:
Download the Water Watch Document (pdf 97 kb)
For a definition of water quality terms click on the Glossary link.
Lake Stewardship Practices
Aesthetic Problems
- What is that green slime in my lake?
- What is the white foam I see along my shoreline?
- Why does my lake have a "tea" color?
- How come I get itchy after swimming in my lake?
Technical Questions
- What is a Secchi disc?
- What does a Secchi disc measure?
- How do I take a Secchi disc reading?
- Why do we measure phosphorus and water clarity?
- I want to plant native vegetation on my property. What types of plants should I use?
Nutrient Loading
- What is the green floating mass in my lake?
- How do I control algae blooms in my lake?
- How do I minimize phosphorus inputs into my lake?
- What is eutrophication?
- What is the impact of eutrophication on a lake?
Regulations Relating to Lakes
- Who do I contact if I have a question or problem regarding my lake?
- Who do I call about a septic system problem?
- Who do I contact if I want to build a dock?
Lake Stewardship Practices
What can I do to take care of my lake?
Taking care of your lake may require lake stewardship, lake management, lakes restoration, or a combination of all three.
Lake Stewardship: An Attitude
Lake stewardship is the first important step in protecting a lake. It reflects an understanding that what we do on land and in the water affects the lake and that in order for lakes to thrive, we must collectively and individually assume responsibility for their care.
Lake Management: A Process
Lake management is a process, and the second major step in lake protection. It reflects a willingness to study a lake, to assess its status and its needs and to determine how best to maximize its potential. To be effective, lake management requires the coordination of a group of individuals in the form of a lake association, sportsperson's or conservation club, or some other organization.
Lake Restoration: Corrective Action
Lake restoration is an action directed toward a lake to improve its condition. It is one example of lake management techniques. The complexity and expense of this activity requires an organization with some authority over the lake and watershed.
Lake stewardship is the practice of managing lakes through preventative or remedial action in order to safeguard the ecological health of lakes for future generations. For more information, contact the Lake Water Quality Program Coordinator at the City of Greater Sudbury, 674-4455, ext. 4604. In lakes that are over-enriched with nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen, algae tend to prosper and create "algae blooms." Nuisance algae blooms are especially common in the summer when we get warm water and hot, calm days. The green scum and noxious odor result from the decomposition of the algae. Blue-green algae are one group in particular that tend to be a nuisance on lakes. They tend to form large colonies that float on the surface of the water. We cannot eliminate algae from a lake-they are an inherent part of the ecology of a lake. What we really want to do is control the intensity and frequency of the blooms. The foam on the surface of our lakes is natural and harmless. It is created by a combination of natural organic compounds (such as decomposing plants and animals) in the water and mixing air with these compounds. The mixing of the water is caused by wind and wave actions. The foam will often collect on the downwind shore.
Sometimes described as root beer, coffee, or bog stain, this coloring is natural for many lakes in Northern Ontario. The color results from the incomplete dissolved organic material, sometimes referred to as tannins, which comes from the decomposition of wetland plants in the watershed of a lake. At very high levels, this coloration can limit water transparency.
Back to FAQ's
The itching is often referred to as swimmer's itch and is caused by a blood fluke (parasitic flatworm) common in waterfowl. The itching is caused when the fluke, while in the immature stage of its life cycle (cercaria), mistakes you for its primary host–waterfowl–and burrows into your skin. Aside from the itching, it is harmless to humans. It is recommended to rinse off and dry the skin after coming out of the water. A Secchi disk is a circular metal plate attached to a calibrated rope. It is probable the easiest and less expensive tool to use in water quality monitoring. One of the best aspects of a Secchi disk is that the information can be easily interpreted by volunteers and can be used to detect water quality trends. Water clarity is a quick and easy measurement that tells a lot about lake water quality. First, it indicates the amount of light penetration into a lake. Second, Secchi transparency provides an indirect measure of the amount of suspended material in the water, which in many cases is an indication of the amount of algae in the water. First, anchor your boat over the deepest part of the lake. Lower your secchi disc into the water over the shady side of the boat (do not wear sunglasses). Keep lowering the disc until you can no longer see the white of the disc (eg. 3.0m). Note this depth and then raise the disc slightly until you can see it again (eg. 2.8m). Note this depth as well. The average of these two depths is your secchi depth (eg. 2.9m). Measuring for phosphorus concentrations in water is one of the best ways to assess the human influences on a lake. Phosphorus is the major limiting nutrient for the growth of algae and aquatic plants. Phosphorus and water clarity are very closely related. Water clarity is an indirect measure of the algae density in the lake. The higher the concentration of phosphorus in water, the greater the abundance of algae and consequently the lower the water clarity. When water clarity is high, phosphorus concentration in the water is low. Please refer to the list of native shoreline vegetation (Native_vegetation.wpd) for information on northern Ontario native plant species that you can plant along and near your shoreline. It is probably filamentous algae, sometimes called "pond scum." This is a common and troublesome aquatic weed that forms dense, hair-like mats. This algae forms on near shore bottom sediments or submerged objects in lakes with good transparency where light reaches the bottom. The best thing we can do is to reduce or eliminate the amount of nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen) from man-made sources such as lawn fertilizers, faulty septic systems, soil erosion, and phosphorus-rich detergents.
Loading excessive nutrients into a lake will speed up its natural eutrophication process. You can minimize inputs of phosphorous by:
Eutrophication is a natural lake aging process, which under normal conditions takes thousands of years to occur. It is the process by which lakes are enriched by nutrients (usually phosphorus and nitrogen) which leads to excessive plant growth. If phosphorus concentrations in a lake are greater than 20 micrograms per litre, the lake is nutrient enriched or eutrophic. Lakes that receive nutrients from human activities become "old" before their time. This accelerated aging is called cultural eutrophication. Sources of nutrients are municipal wastewater, faulty septic systems, lawn fertilizers, phosphorus rich detergents, and runoff from agricultural fields and construction sites. Eutrophication will result in a deterioration of lake water quality.
The City of Greater Sudbury has a Water Quality Coordinator that can be reached at the 674-4455, ext. 4604 or you can contact any government agency with legislation on lakes and lake water quality. (Link to file Water_Legislation.wpd If your septic system is not working properly, a company which pumps septic tanks may be able to identify the problem and recommend further action. You can also call a licensed company which installs or repairs septic systems. In Ontario, septic installers must be licensed by the Province and must have passed an exam administered by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing As of April 6, 1998, the rules for smaller on-site septic systems are covered by the Ontario Building Code (OBC). While these rules are put in place by the Province of Ontario, local agencies such as municipal building departments, boards of health or conservation authorities are responsible for issuing permits and doing inspections. The OBC includes regulations related to the operation and maintenance of septic systems: servicing by a qualified person, wastewater monitoring and sampling, septic tank pump outs, etc. In the City of Greater Sudbury, the Building Code is administered by Building Services in the Economic Development and Planning Services Department at 674-4455 ext. 4278 In Ontario, the first agency to contact is your local Conservation Authority, then the Ministry of Natural Resources and finally the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. You may not have to talk to each of these agencies separately. Some offices may handle the entire process or the MNR may do it all, but the best way to find out is to ask. You will have to show the approval office a sketch of the lay of your land and existing structures as well as a description of your shore project. If we are unable to answer your question or if you do not find what you are looking for, please contact us with your question and comments.What is Lake Stewardship?
Aesthetic Problems
What is that green slime in my lake?
What is that white foam I see along my shoreline?
Why does my lake have a "tea" color?
How come I get itchy after swimming in my lake?
Technical Questions
What is a Secchi disc?
What does a Secchi disc measure?
How do I take a Secchi disc reading?
Why do we measure phosphorus and water clarity?
I want to plant native shoreline vegetation on my property. What type of plants should I use?
Nutrient Loading
What is the green floating mass in my lake?
How do I control algae blooms in my lake?
How do I minimize phosphorus inputs into my lake?
What is eutrophication?
What is the impact of eutrophication on a lake?
Regulations Related to Lakes
Who do I contact if I have a question or a problem regarding my lake?
Who do I call about a septic system problem?
Who do I contact if I want to build a dock?
