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Note:  Meetings of the GSWA executive, board and general membership have taken place virtually during the pandemic .. in the future both “live” and Zoom meetings will take place as determined.

How to identify aquatic plants: SLELO-Gude-to-Aquatic-Plants-Final-VersionSLELO-Gude-to-Aquatic-Plants-Final-Version

Particular Invasive Plants of Concern – Links below:

http://www.invadingspecies.com/invaders/plants/garlic-mustard/

http://www.invadingspecies.com/invaders/plants/himalayan-balsam/

http://www.invadingspecies.com/invaders/plants/japanese-knotweed/

Recorded meeting on new shoreline restrictions:     https://youtu.be/UKd__wFv1Ws?t=2

Subwatershed Studies are available on the City Website for Junction Creek and Lake Ramsey. https://www.greatersudbury.ca/live/environment-and-sustainability1/lake-health/watershed-study/   Comments to the Ramsey Subwatershed study can be accessed through this link: http://gswa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Ramsey-Watershed-Study-Submissions.pdf

Comments on the Junction Creek Subwatershed Study and Stormwater Master Plan by the Junction Creek Stewardship Committee, The Greater Sudbury Watershed Alliance and The Coalition for a Livable Sudbury can be accessed by clicking this link:http://gswa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Comments-Junction-Creek-Sudy.pdf

Annual report by Junction Creek Stewardship:  2021 Annual Report_JCSC_compressed

Water Routes:  Many do not know how our sewer systems work.  This video gives a good review:  https://youtu.be/2Mquv9Qdz5o

Salt Levels in Ramsey Lake:  Video Interview with GSWA past Chair Richard Whitham on issue of salt levels in Ramsey Lake referenced in Community Release provided below: https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1905865&binId=1.1142313&playlistPageNum=1

Road Salt Problem:  Road Salt Threats – Report

Community Ramsey Salt Release http://gswa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Community-Information-Release-Salt-in-Drinking-Water-Feb.-2020.pdf

Letter (Motion) to City Council re Road Development in Ramsey Lake Watershed – 2023:  GSWA resolution – Concerns re roads – water supply – to City Council

AGM 2019 http://gswa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/GSWA-AGM-2019-Minutes-1.pdf

AGM 2020 GSWA AGM 2020 Minutes

GSWA General Meeting Minutes Nov 22-2021 GSWA General Meeting Minutes Nov 22-2021

GSWA General Mtg MINUTES Jan. 11th 2021: GSWA General Mtg MINUTES Jan 11-2021

GSWA General Meeting Minutes March 26th 2024: GSWA AGM 2024

We are blessed to have many sources of water in our area, but it must be preserved and protected.  All water flows eventually to the Great Lakes as shown in the map below:  Not only must we protect our local water but respect where it flows.

Map of Watersheds to Lake Huron from Northeastern Ontario

Link below to address to United Nations by Autumn Peltier of Manitoulin Island speaking on the importance of protecting our waters.

https://youtu.be/OusN4mWmDKQ

Winter:  Fun for many, but not for drivers and pedestrians.  Keeping walkways clear can be a challenges.  What are the best products to use.  The GWSA has conducted research locally to determine to the extent possible all that are available and the results are shown below and also can be accessed in pdf printable form for distribution here. GSWA Jan 2021 Decision Aid to Ice Melts and Traction Aids

Past Events:  

Many thanks to all those who attended our special “funraising” event on April 16th 2019 at the Sudbury Theatre Centre to see the comedy “The Birds and the Bees” together with complementary drink and treats – door prizes and silent auction -see the full house picture below – the one vacant seat you see was that of the photographer – all had a good time.  It was a “fun” night out and all money raised will go to further the work of the Alliance. 

Photo below of a General Meeting of the GSWA

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Download (PDF, Unknown)

2018-05-07 Drinking Water Committee – Meeting Notes

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Septic Social

Brittany Pellerin and Ed Wierzbicki gave a comprehensive overview of the pros and cons of the many different types of private sewage treatment systems, and the do’s and don’ts of maintaining an effective sewage system.  The event was a great success, with well over 160 people in attendance.

Media Coverage:

Get to Know Your Septic System – Sudbury Star
Septic Safety – CTV News

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Septic Social, presented by Brittany Pellerin

Click here for video of presentation.

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Septic Social – Thursday, 3 May 2018, 7:00 pm at Lockerby Legion

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Junction Creek Spring Cleanup – 5 May 2018 – 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

2018-04-17 Drinking Water Committee – Meeting Notes

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Media Release: Septic Social

MEDIA RELEASE – For Immediate Release: 17 April 2018

GSWA Septic Social

SUDBURY – The Greater Sudbury Watershed Alliance (GSWA) is pleased to announce our Septic Social, to take place on Thursday, 3 May 2018, from 7 to 9:00 pm, at Lockerby Legion, 2200 Long Lake Road, Sudbury. You are likely wondering – what is a Septic Social?

GSWA’s Septic Social is an opportunity to learn about the pros and cons of the many different types of private sewage treatment systems, the do’s and don’ts of maintaining an effective sewage system, the inspection and regulatory responsibilities that all homeowners carry, and the potential effects on our environment if it isn’t working properly”, said Richard Denton, GSWA Chair.

There will be beverages and snacks, great door prizes, and an opportunity to meet contractors and ask those in the know your burning questions about sewage treatment systems.  A little about our speakers:

Brittany Pellerin is a Chemical Engineering Technologist, currently employed by exp. Services in Sudbury, working as a Lab Technician in the Materials Testing Division.  Brittany spends a great deal of her time working with septic clients and contractors looking to have percolation tests completed.  Brittany completed the Ontario Rural Wastewater Centre course, On-Site Sewage Systems 2012 – Septic Installer/Inspector Licensing Preparation.

Ed Wierzbicki graduated from Ryerson and worked as a Public Health Inspector/ Coordinator at the Sudbury & District Health Unit for 33 years.  Ed’s responsibilities included many public health programs, and in particular Private Sewage Disposal.  After retiring in 2007 he established his own business, Sewage Systems by Design, designing private sewage systems as an official Building Code Designer under the Ontario Building Code.

Charles Ramcharan is an Associate Professor at Laurentian University, School of the Environment, and an aquatic biologist working with the Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit, at the Vale Living with Lakes Center.  Charles’ research includes invasive species, the recovery of lakes from acidification, the effects of small scale hydro on our rivers, and the effects of urbanization and climate change.

GSWA invites you to come out to our Septic Social.  You will find it highly informative and very pertinent to ensuring clean and healthy lakes and rivers, and robust property values.

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The GSWA is a not-for-profit volunteer organization of 19 lake, creek and river stewardship groups, working to protect, promote and advocate for sustainable improvements in water quality and healthy watersheds.

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For more information contact:
Richard Denton, Chair
Greater Sudbury Watershed Alliance
Email: rdenton@nosm.ca
Tel: 1-705 642-5324 (long distance)

Media Release: Road Salt Discussion – Summary

Coverage on Media Release:

Winter road salt slowly killing a lake, by Marc Montgomery, RCI – Radio Canada

Salt, chloride levels in Sudbury’s Ramsey Lake reaching critical levels, water group warns, by Jessica Pope, CBC News

MEDIA RELEASE – For Immediate Release: 10 April 2018

GSWA Road Salt Discussion – Summary Report

SUDBURY – The Greater Sudbury Watershed Alliance (GSWA) is pleased to announce the release of its Road Salt Discussion – Summary Report (Summary Report), resulting from the Road Salt Discussion event held on 5 February 2018, at the Vale Living with Lakes Centre. This Summary Report is derived from a transcript of the event, and provides a comprehensive overview of the key concerns, comments, and potential solutions presented at the event to address the growing road salt dilemma. Read more

Road Salt Discussion – Summary Report

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Lower Vermilion Source Water Quality Monitoring Project, by Vermilion River Stewardship

A presentation made at the GSWA General Meeting on Monday, 9 April 2018 – by Sheri Johnson and Linda Heron: