The Lake Huron Centre For Coastal Conservation
Advocating Wise Stewardship of Lake Huron's Coastal Ecosystems
Executive Summary
This study was commissioned by Environment Canada in March, 2003 for use by the Lake Huron Southeast Shore Working Group, in support of priorities under the Lake Huron Binational Partnership. It was intended to compile and summarize water and beach quality data for southeastern Lake Huron’s nearshore waters from an historical perspective. In addition, information was collected on public complaints to regulatory agencies about water quality, and information on land-use in tributary watersheds along the shoreline. The study area included the coastal area from Sarnia to Sauble Beach. An attempt was made to obtain information for the period 1984-2003.
A large body of information on southeastern Lake Huron’s nearshore water quality exists, although it is fragmented, inconsistent and, in some cases, incomplete. Information was collected from area First Nations, local Health Units, community groups, Conservation Authorities, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Ontario Ministry of the Environment.
Bacterial pollution is a great concern all along the lakeshore in Lambton, Huron and the southern part of Bruce counties. Data showed high frequencies and duration of exceedences above the Provincial Water Quality Objectives set for Escherichia coli (E. coli). As a result, a number of public beaches have been posted for extended periods of time in recent years advising people against swimming. There is no formal system in place to track infections or illnesses related to exposures to polluted bathing areas along the southeastern shores of Lake Huron.
Nutrient data, specifically nitrates and total phosphorous, also show elevated concentrations in some watercourses flowing to the shoreline. Resulting algal blooms have been a problem in many areas south of Kincardine over the past 4-5 years, although historical accounts of algae problems suggest an ongoing problem in the Goderich area..
Sources of pollution were identified in past reports as including agriculture and faulty septic systems as the primary sources. A smaller, but important, source included by-passes from Waste Water Treatment Plants.
There is extensive development along the shoreline which relies on the use of septic systems for sewage disposal, and there are permeable soilsin some portions of the lakeshore area. These factors, in combination, suggest that septic systems may be a significant contributor to nearshore water quality impairments in some portions of the study area over the long term. This applies particularly in respect to nutrient enrichment.
Bacterial pollution tends to become elevated after precipitation events, suggesting that surface runoff is the primary conduit. Both agriculture, and the trend towards intensive agriculture in the study area, as well as waste water treatment plant by-passes, and urban stormwater runoff in some areas, were identified in past investigations as major contributors to wet-weather bacterial pollution.
Discussions were held with representatives from Saugeen, Chippewas of Nawash, and Kettle and Stony First Nations. All had concerns with the state of nearshore water quality particularly within their traditional waters.
Finally, information concerning recent outbreaks of Avian Botulism along southeastern Lake Huron is presented as a recent, albeit naturally occurring, impairment. An unresolved question is whether or not there is a connection between the rate and severity of outbreaks and the anaerobic environment created from decomposing algae.
 |
The Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation P.O. Box 178, Blyth, Ontario, Canada N0M 1H0 Phone: (519) 523-4478 Email: coastalcentre@lakehuron.on.ca |
|
