2018 Water Quality Report

The MLA Water Quality Initiative Report presents data collected at 196 locations during the summer of 2018 and compares it to data collected from 2002 to 2017. The objectives of the MLA Water Quality Program are:

- To promote and encourage good stewardship of the lakes;
- To monitor the long-term health of the lakes;
- To identify adverse water quality trends at an early stage; and
- To promote causation studies and remediation by the responsible authorities.

In 2018, of the 56 Areas tested, there were 45 Areas with a green light, 9 Areas with a yellow light and 0 Areas with a red light. It is noted that the green, yellow and red Areas do not add up to the total number of Areas tested as there are a few new sites or sites with only one or two years of data that are not rated yet. This year, 4 Areas changed from a green light to a yellow light, 8 Areas changed from a yellow light to a green light, and 2 Areas (RFL-0 and SDP-0) were sampled for the first time in 2018 and will receive a traffic light classification in 2019.

Based on our analysis of the long-term data acquired to date, the water quality at most of the sampling locations remains good to excellent.

See below list to view your area:

Executive Summary & Introduction to the Water Quality Monitoring Program

Click below to view the full 2018 report.

Are you interested in becoming a volunteer? 

If you're interested in assisting for the 2019 Water Quality Initiative monitoring program, here are some of the ways you can participate:

• Help to prepare equipment for the 2019 monitoring season
• Collect samples
• Coordinate a group of volunteers as a `Team Leader`
• Contribute to coordinated and strategic efforts within the ‘Focus Areas’ to maintain good water quality
• Become part of the program organizing committee, helping with volunteer outreach, communications and other environmental issues

You can contact the MLA office at 705-765-5723 or info@mla.on.ca if you are interested in volunteering in the program, if you would like to get involved in any of these additional ways, or if you have any questions or concerns.