Archive for the Media Category

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:

Concerns over the Proposed Ferrochrome Smelter

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GSWA Road Salt Discussion – 5 February 2018

Event Media Coverage – February 2018:

CBC Morning North – Dr. John Gunn: Is there too much salt in Sudbury Lakes?
CBC News – Dr. John Gunn: Panel on salt in Ramsey Lake part of a larger conversation 
The Sudbury Star – Dr. John Gunn: Letter: Smart water technology needed
The Sudbury Star: Letter: Sudbury needs to tackle road salt problem
The Sudbury Star: Sudbury’s ‘challenging time-bomb’
Sudbury.com: Road salt is damaging Ramsey Lake and we’re not doing enough about it: Panel
CTV News: Can salt levels in lakes affect blue-green algae growth?
CTV News: How salty is Sudbury’s Ramsey Lake?
The Sudbury Star: Is there too much salt in Sudbury’s drinking water?

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MEDIA RELEASE: GSWA Panel Discussion on Road Salt

For Immediate Release: 30 January 2018

SUDBURY – The Greater Sudbury Watershed Alliance (GSWA) is hosting a Panel Discussion on Road Salt on 5 February 2018, 7:00 pm, at the Vale Living with Lakes Center, 935 Ramsey Lake Road.   The public is invited to this open forum to learn more about the growing problem of road salt entering into our freshwater lakes, rivers and aquifers. 

Increasing sodium and chloride levels from road salt is a cause for concern, especially in water bodies that are sources of our drinking water.

Scientists and municipalities across North America are struggling to find solutions to the problem of chloride and sodium used to de-ice paved surfaces.  There are few mitigation methods, and currently there is no practical way to remove salt from our drinking water, or the environment.

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Invasive Eurasian watermilfoil spreading in Sudbury lakes

An invasive plant is spreading throughout the lakes of Greater Sudbury. It’s called the Eurasian watermilfoil. We spoke to a couple of members of the Greater Sudbury Watershed Alliance about just how bad the problem has become.  September 28, 2017

Un texte de Benjamin Aubé, Radio-Canada, 25 September 2017

SUDBURY CITY HALL: Pilot project put forward in Sudbury to tackle Eurasian Watermilfoil

18 lakes affected in Greater Sudbury, including Ramsey and Nepahwin

Greater Sudbury city council is supporting a new pilot project that aims to control an invasive species that is spreading in lakes.

The Eurasian watermilfoil kills aquatic plants and is also an nuisance for swimmers, boaters and lakefront property owners.

City council is sending a letter to Ontario’s Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry Kathryn McGarry, and its representatives in Queen’s Park to support the Greater Sudbury Watershed Alliance’s push to control the plant.

Nicole Wittke, a member of the alliance, made suggestions to city council on Tuesday evening on how to tackle the issue.

“I mean frankly, this is my personal opinion [but] I don’t think anybody should be allowed on Ramsey Lake unless they have their boat washed,” Wittke said.

“I think there should be a boat washing station set up at the launch and people should be charged.”   Read full CBC article here.

Presentation to Sudbury City Council – Eurasian Water Milfoil – Questions & Answers

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