This site is designed to bring people together in a collaborative forum where issues of water sustainability can be discussed, knowledge can be disseminated, and available resources can be shared. So dive in, and consider it your own personal portal into the realm of local water resources.
Sault Ste. Marie Water Sustainability Initiative
The Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre, with funding provided by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, is developing a Water Sustainability Framework in order to make Sault Ste. Marie the benchmark for water sustainability in the North.
The objective of this framework will be to undertake the groundwork required to create a community-based water sustainability plan and develop a certification and accreditation package that sets out specific economic, environmental and social achievements surrounding water, energy, and waste.
This collaborative consultation process will involve key stakeholders from Sault Ste. Marie and area and is intended to focus on aspects of a certification framework which will improve water use and management by enhancing collaboration amongst key stakeholders and facilitating community knowledge-sharing.
As the project progresses, there will be opportunities for public involvement. Continue checking www.ssmicwater.com and www.sustainablewater.org for more information.
Monitoring Solutions Committee Press Release
“We recognize the efforts, on both sides, to improve the condition of the sanitary and storm water that ultimately flows into our river. We are very grateful for the cooperation and genuine interest shown by the improvements already made and those being considered to improve the water quality of our shared waterway.” Click The Monitoring Solutions Committee Press Release for the full article.
Warming Lakes: Climate Change and Variability Drive Low Water Levels on the Great Lakes 
“As mentioned in one of my previous posts about warming lakes, the Great Lakes are among many lakes in the northern hemisphere experiencing a rapid warming trend. Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area and third largest by volume (after Baikal in Siberia and Tanganyka in Africa), is also one of the most rapidly warming lakes in the world.” Click here to view article…
Keeping The St. Marys River Clean And HealthyWe are pleased to announce the winners from Anna McRea Elementary School Contest Keeping the St. Marys River Clean and Healthy! The 1st place winners for each of the three categories were:1. Kindergarten to Grade 2: Drawing Contest, Kieyra (SK)
2. Grade 3 to Grade 6: Poetry Contest, Colton (Grade 3)
3. Grade 7 to Grade 8: Short Essay Contest, Connor (Grade 8 )Congratulations and enjoy your pizza party!
- Kieyra, SK
- Colton, Grade 3
- Connor, Grade 8
The Water Brothers – Premiering on TVO
Tune in to TVO March 19-21st from 7-8pm to see The Water Brothers – a new eco-adventure series exploring the most important water stories of our time, featuring Alex and Tyler Mifflin. They have recently graduated from University – Alex from environmental studies on the East Coast and Tyler from film school on the West Coast. And while they are miles apart on many things, they are united by one: the desire to explore the delicate state of our Blue Planet.
In the first season, The Water Brothers will take you around the world from the mighty Mekong River in South East Asia, to the frozen Arctic Circle, the disappearing coral reefs of the Caribbean and the Carp infested waters of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. Water is more valuable than oil or gold but it is rarely given its true value. Through the eyes of Alex and Tyler, we learn for ourselves what the problems are, what the local people and experts say about these problems and most importantly, what we can all do about them. Join them on their adventure!
Quench is coming March 22 for Apple or Android Smartphone users. This Free mobile app will connect you to water fountains and water Re-Fill locations around Toronto.
Too Late to Panic: Protecting Canada’s Water and Energy Supplies
From left to right: Corrina Barrett, Maude Barlow, Paula Antunes
Maude Barlow, chair of the Council of Canadians, spoke at a workshop January 24, 2012 at Algoma’s Water Tower Inn. The event was organized by the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre (SSMIC). The workshop, Too Late to Panic: Protecting Canada’s Water and Energy Supplies, provided an in depth analysis on water related issues drawing on Barlow’s national and international experience.
“We may live in a water rich area, but the world is running out of water. Running out. Not drought. Running out,” said Barlow in an interview with Sault Star.
Maude suggested that local community groups and stakeholders in the Sault Ste. Marie area come together to formulate a 50-year plan to address water quantity and quality in the Great Lakes and how population and industry growth will impact this precious resource in the future. “The world will come calling for this water. We have the responsibility to say how we’ve taken care of it… or not!”
St. Marys River Geotechnical Sediment Assessment
As an important part of the Remedial Action Plan for the St. Marys River Area of Concern, a geotechnical assessment of sediment in the area East of Bellevue Marine Park (near the sailing club) is currently being undertaken to assess the sediment’s geotechnical properties, depth, and contaminant profile.
The project is being led by the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre and M.R., Wright & Associates Co. Ltd., and was carried out in collaboration with Environment Canada, the Ministry of the Environment, Algoma University, Marathon Drilling Ltd., Purvis Marine, ConeTech, and Guardian Rescue Services. Funding for the study was provided by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Environment Canada.
Photos of the fieldwork (December 5 – 10, 2011) are now available!
