Hillside Beach Community Association
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Lake Winnipeg Foundation Fall and Winter Newsletter 2019
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lwf_fall___winter_2019_newsletter.pdf
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STATE OF LAKE WINNIPEG AND WATER QUALITY REPORTS
​NOVEMBER 2019
Thank you to Reeve Brisco, RM of Alexander and Water Quality Stewardship for forwarding this information.

REPORT AN ALGAE BLOOM
Water testing for Blue Green Algae and potential toxins occurs after an Algae Bloom is reported.  Citizen reports are needed when Algae Blooms are noticed.  PLEASE FOR THE HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND ANIMALS TAKE THE TIME TO REPORT THE LOCATION AND DATE AND SEND PHOTOS IF POSSIBLE TO:
ON LINE LINK:  forms.gov.mb.ca/algal_report/index.html
Telephone: 204 945-0002

Watch your lake for algal blooms. If you observe an algal bloom, take the following precautionary measures:

  • Avoid drinking, swimming or bathing in water with algal blooms.
  • If an algal bloom is observed on the lake that supplies your small water system, use an alternate water source (such as bottled water) for drinking, food preparation, bathing, other personal hygiene and pets.
  • If you are visiting a beach, avoid swimming or bathing in water if you see an algal bloom. Manitoba routinely monitors public beaches for algal blooms and posts beach advisories when concentrations pose a health risk.
  • Keep pets and livestock out of the water if you see an algal bloom.
  • Algal toxins can accumulate in fish, particularly in the internal organs, like the liver and kidneys. Avoid consuming the internal organs of fish and avoid consuming fish that appear unhealthy in waters experiencing algal blooms.
  • Notify your neighbours  

blue_green_alga_factsheet__1_.pdf
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blue_green_algal_poster__1_.pdf
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lake_winnipeg_nutrients_status_report.pdf
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lwbis_factsheet_en.pdf
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lwbis_populations_factsheet_en.pdf
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manitoba_water_quality_guidelines_2011.pdf
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COALITION TO SAVE LAKE WINNIPEG NEWSLETTER  2019

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clsw_update_oct_26_2019.pdf
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coalition_to_save_lake_winnipeg_oct_20_2019_1.pdf
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Health of Lake Winnipeg
​Responses to Members Questions and Comments

Is the City of Winnipeg North End Water Pollution Control Centre (sewage treatment plant) the biggest contributor to the phosphorus loading in Lake Winnipeg?

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The NEWPCC is the single highest point source of phosphorus load to Lake Winnipeg.  This represent 5% of the total contributions from the vast watershed that flows into Lake Winnipeg.  The remaining 95% contributing factors are spread over Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota.  None of the individual contributing factors from the vast watershed, exceeds a 5% source point for phosphorous load to Lake Winnipeg.
FACTS from the North End Water Pollution Control Center

  • Single Largest Source
  • 70% of city sewage
  • 600 kg/day
  • No phosphorus removal
How does Winnipeg compare with other cities of the same/similar sizes in phosphorus load from sewage treatment plants?

At this time, the environmental goal for milligram of phosphorus/litre of output from sewage treatment plants is 1mg/L. 
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Why does it seem that the NEWPCC (City of Winnipeg sewage treatment plant) is most important situation to address in the media and community advocates? 
The City of Winnipeg, Province of Manitoba and the Federal Government have acknowledged that the infrastructure at the North End Water Pollution Control Center is in need of repair and that the phosphorus load from the plant exceeds the acceptable mg/l ratio for environmental safety and the health of Lake Winnipeg. In 2003, the Province of Manitoba ordered the City of Winnipeg to build a nutrient removal facility for both phosphorus and nitrogen load which was impacting the health of Lake Winnipeg. That is 16 years ago. In 2011 the Province of Manitoba passed Bill-46 The Save Lake Winnipeg Act.  It was 8 years ago that it became incumbent upon all levels of government to work together proactively for the health of Lake Winnipeg.   The cost is now “pegged” at 1.8 billion dollars for upgrades and not estimated to begin for 10 more years.
LWF and IISD have recommended a 5 million dollar retrofit which will reduce the phosphorus contribution by 70% immediately. The recommended retrofit would result in increased sludge for disposal.  At this time, sludge residue is transported to the Brady Landfill and kept in contained holding areas.  The NEWPCC has 4 digestors for the resulting sludge and one of the digestors has been non operational for 10 years. 
The complex nature of funding requires all 3 levels of government to work together for positive outcomes.   It is difficult to imagine what would become of Lake Winnipeg if no solutions are provided by 2035, as suggested by the current plan. 
www.lakewinnipegfoundation.org/sites/default/files/NEWPCC%20Interim%20Retrofit%20Solution.pdf

What about the run off from farming practices contributing to the phosphorus load to Lake Winnipeg? 

Nutrient loading from farming practices, whether growing crops or raising livestock, contribute to the phosphorus load to Lake Winnipeg. Snow melts, floods and heavy rainfall are responsible for most of the phosphorus that is flushed from the land into the waterways. These are spread over a vast geographical area as shown in the map of the Lake Winnipeg Watershed Basin.

Lake Winnipeg Community Based Water Monitoring Network is a proactive group of volunteers, coordinated by the Lake Winnipeg Foundation.  These volunteers collect water samples that are then analyzed for phosphorus load (mg/l) from these sources. The  map comparisons show the results from 2017 and 2018.  

To read more about the 2017 results please open the following links:
www.lakewinnipegfoundation.org/lwcbmn-2017-data

To read more about the 2018 results please open the following link:
www.lakewinnipegfoundation.org/lwcbmn-2018-data


The change in hotspots from 2017 to 2018 may be attributed to lower than normal precipitation and proactive agricultural practices to hold run off water in ponds rather than drainage into the waterways.
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For more information please follow the following links:
www.manitobacooperator.ca/crops/on-farm-water-collection-key-to-drainage-management/
www.lakewinnipegfoundation.org/promoting-agricultural-water-stewardship

The following link to the Gordon Foundation who leads the Lake Winnipeg DataStream supports the evidence-based science for managing freshwater.
lakewinnipegdatastream.ca/#/page/about-us


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Why is the focus on the NEWPCC (City of Winnipeg North End Water Treatment Plan) and not the other 95% of the contributors to the phosphorus load for the health of Lake Winnipeg?

Environmental organizations, including the Lake Winnipeg Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Keystone Agricultural Producers of Manitoba and International Institute of Sustainable Development, work together on an 8-point plan for the health of Lake Winnipeg.  The goals of the 8-point plan cover the following areas:

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Why are the wetlands in Manitoba disappearing? Isn’t this another reason for Lake Winnipeg’s algal bloom challenge?


Across Manitoba 70% of the wetlands and marshes have been destroyed, damaged or drained due to urban or agricultural development.  Wetlands and marshes are important ecosystems that either permanently or temporarily hold water.  The wetlands and marshes act to filter algae-causing phosphorus from run-off, ease the effects of floods or droughts, store carbon and are the homes for large numbers of Manitoba wildlife.
These “kidneys” are at risk when approval through permits and licenses are given for urban and agricultural development.  The Province of Manitoba Sustainable Watershed Act was passed in 2018.  The guiding principals for no net loss of watersheds is positive, however, the amendments to the Water Rights Regulation have the potential to add to watershed loss and potentially increase the risks to wetlands and marshes.
Please visit the following link for more information on wetlands and additional links to the Sustainable Watershed Act.

www.lakewinnipegfoundation.org/news/opportunity-action-provincial-drainage-regulation-protect-wetlands
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/water-rights-regulation-wetlands-1.4994240
www.ducks.ca/our-work/wetlands/
www.iisd.org/project/lake-winnipeg-basin-management-innovative-and-strategic-approaches-and-policies

Lake Winnipeg is impacted by the vast water basin that includes 3 other Canadian provinces and 4 U.S. states.  Why is the focus of responsibility currently on Winnipeg sewage treatment, Manitoba agricultural practices and wetland preservation in our province?

It is true that there are many other contributing geographical and regional governments that impact the health of Lake Winnipeg.  It is also true that Manitobans can have the most effective impact on their local practices and can set a standard of best practices for the health of Lake Winnipeg through our local actions.  We have access to current evidence-based science research that can guide and support us to work as individuals, work with our community partners and demand our local, provincial and federal governments provide immediate methods to restore the health of Lake Winnipeg.
Strategies and solutions that are successful initiatives from our local Manitoba regions can be established and shared with our watershed partners.  The problem is in our backyard and we can be the leaders in water health and safety through our strong partnerships, information sharing and multifaceted approaches for reducing phosphorus load to waterways​
Lake Winnipeg and phosphorous reduction plan.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-phosphorous-reduction-plan-rejected-1.5233789

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How much does the USA contribute to the deteriorating health of Lake Winnipeg?
Thank you to Dr. Alexis Kanu, Lake Winnipeg Foundation who helped us respond to and provide a resource.
The Red River is the largest contributor of phosphorus to Lake Winnipeg, contributing about 70% of the total annual load.
 
Of that, about half comes from the US portion of the Red River valley (so about 35% of the total load). These numbers are from the State of Lake Winnipeg report: https://www.gov.mb.ca/waterstewardship/water_quality/state_lk_winnipeg_report/pdf/state_of_lake_winnipeg_rpt_technical_low_resolution.pdf 
 
The following document is from the Minnesota news regarding this states initiative to improve pollution/drainage control in the Red River. https://www.pca.state.mn.us/news/red-river-water-quality-concerns-growing-river-popular-recreation
 
 
What are Provincial and Federal Governments initiatives for the health of Lake Winnipeg? Please note this information is from before the election calls in 2019
 
The Province of Manitoba: https://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/water/lakes-beaches-rivers/lake-winnipeg.html
 
The Federal Government of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/water-overview/comprehensive-approach-clean/lake-winnipeg.html
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 AUGUST LONG WEEKEND UPDATES AND ALERTS

We expect the community to be busy with people this weekend.  
Please share lake safety information with others.  

BEACH and WATER SAFETY

Hillside Beach did not meet water quality standards safe for swimming July 29, 2019. The RM of Alexander has posted warnings at the entrance to the main Hillside Beach.   Please keep updated through the following  links. 

http://www.manitoba.ca/sd/waterstewardship/quality/beach_table_tabular.html
https://www.theswimguide.org/beach/5594

Since Monday's winds, Sandy Beach is covered in zebra mussels.  Please remember to bring along water shoes if you are going to the beach this weekend.  The clean up earlier this season was a pilot project that the RM of Alexander.  The following is a link to the report following the pilot project:
https://alexander.allnetmeetings.com/pubs/download.aspx?ty=ag&agid=FCD49714-83E9-4494-9054-AF4C7033E6A7&atid=4BC4696B-1D5D-4C56-81D8-64D3A9FE8585

ROAD SAFETY 
Please be mindful of pedestrians and bikes on our community roads when driving.  
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Please view the following news clip from the Public Meeting on May 9th, 2019 winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1680590
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Winnipeg Wastewater and it's impact on Lake Winnipeg

"On World Water Day, the Lake Winnipeg Foundation and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) are releasing a report recommending an interim retrofit to Winnipeg's largest sewage treatment plant. This retrofit could be implemented quickly and at low cost to significantly reduce the facility's phosphorus contribution to Lake Winnipeg.
Research at the IISD Experimental Lakes Area shows that phosphorus is the nutrient responsible for potentially toxic algae blooms in freshwater lakes. Winnipeg's North End Water Pollution Control Centre (NEWPCC) is currently the single largest point source of phosphorus flowing into Lake Winnipeg, a lake plagued by algae. The NEWPCC treats approximately 70 per cent of the city's wastewater, releasing an average of 600 kg of phosphorus into the Red River every single day."  LWF report.

To read more:
www.lakewinnipegfoundation.org/news/report-interim-retrofit-winnipeg’-north-sewage-treatment-plant-protect



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www.lakewinnipegfoundation.org/events/events/red-alert-winnipeg’-sewage-problems-solutions
News articles related to Wastewater from Winnipeg and Lake Winnipeg
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-water-sewer-hike-freeze-1.5024743
​www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-winnipeg-sewage-treatment-1.5002165

Update on the CPS Sand Extraction Project - Take Action NOW!

www.gov.mb.ca/sd/eal/registries/5991wanipigow/index.html
Canadian Premium Sands, a venture capital company, has proposed a mega strip mine development to extract at least 1,000,000 tonnes annually of high grade silica sand from the Manigotagan area for the next 54 years .  They plan to truck this sand down Highway 304 and Highway 59, with a full 40 tonne semi-truck leaving the project site every 10 to 15 minutes.  The project will run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the back yards of our cottage neighbors in the Manigotagan area. There is significant risk of serious health issues (silicosis, cancer), damage to the local infrastructure (highways), increased risk of accidents due to major truck traffic, concern for Lake Winnipeg (the Lake surrounds the project site on 3 sides) as well as complete destruction of the beautiful boreal forest that makes the Manigotagan area so attractive to cottagers.  Due to the outdated nature of Manitoba's Environment Act, this project may proceed WITHOUT a full Environmental Assessment. 

We have posted complete and detailed information on this project and the Environment Act process on the Members Only section of this website (see The Hillsider Insider).  If you are a member, please take the time to become informed and send a letter to government officials. A letter template is posted as well, to minimize the time to prepare / send a letter.   If this can happen in the Manigotagan area, it can happen in our back yard too. 

Take Action!  Send a letter to let the government know of your concerns and insist on a Public Hearing and full Environmental Assessment.  Then, if the project is approved there will be conditions, monitoring and accountability measures included in the licensing requirements. 

Don't have access to our Members Only site?  Contact us for more information by sending an email to info@hbca.ca

HOME

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    • Charlie Wall Park
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    • Hillsider Insider >
      • LAKE WINNIPEG ACTION ALERT
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