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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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City of Greater Sudbury 2014 Budget Input

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2014-09-24 Drinking Water Committee – Meeting Notes

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2014-08-18 – Minutes of General Meeting

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2013-08-14 Drinking Water Committee – Meeting Notes

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Mandatory Septic Inspection – GSWA to City Council

Recommend:

  • A mandatory Septic Inspection Program to require regular maintenance and inspection of all holding tanks, septic tanks, leaching beds (including outhouses and pit privies) in order to preserve fresh water resources, and protect the environment and public health and safety. Following the institution of the program, re-inspections would be repeated every 5 years.

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2014-06-19 Private Drinking Water Committee – Summary Report

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Water Wastewater Master Plan

The City is to be commended for beginning flow monitoring so that the full impact of Inflow and infiltration can be understood. GSWA also highly approves the plan to drastically reduce “I and I” since it is a contributing factor to sewage by-passes and of course, flooded basements.  All of the proposals to limit “I and I” are welcomed.

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2014-05-12 – Minutes of General Meeting

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Water Water Everywhere … Or Not? 24 April 2014

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Press Release – WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE OR …NOT?

Press Release

April 21, 2014

Greater Sudbury Watershed Alliance Inc. (GSWA)

Are you concerned about sewage back up in homes? Are you concerned about minimally treated sewage by-passing full treatment and entering our watersheds? Are you concerned about our 300 plus lakes, rivers and creeks?

The Greater Sudbury Watershed Alliance in partnership with Dynamic Earth is hosting an Earth Week open panel discussion on Thursday April 24, 2014 starting a 6:30 pm at Dynamic Earth.  This is a free event and all are welcome.

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE OR …NOT?

Our title questions our relationship to the water around us. As climate changes how does our relationship with water need to be changed? Discover why and how we need to adapt to climate change in relation to our lakes, our city and our own backyards.

Our panelists will offer thought for discussion and open audience questions will further that discussion.  Dr. Charles Ramcharan of Laurentian University will address climate uncertainty, Nick Benkovich, Manager of Water and Waste Water from the City of Greater Sudbury will address the issue of storm water and Dan Chaput a staff scientist at Science North will address alternatives to lawns, rain gardens shoreline buffers and summer drought.

GSWA is an association of lake, river and creek stewardship groups within the City of Greater Sudbury. Several member groups will have displays of their individual stewardship projects. Come on out and see the strides being made in lake stewardship. Meet our panel and members of GSWA. Find out what is going on!