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?
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
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.
At this time, the environmental goal for milligram of phosphorus/litre of output from sewage treatment plants is 1mg/L.
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
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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
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
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:
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:
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
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
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-phosphorous-reduction-plan-rejected-1.5233789
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
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
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.
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.
