Water

The importance of Canada’s water supplies

CWF knows the importance of water, both fresh and marine. In fact, water supports fish and wildlife populations; provides important ecological functions; is used in agriculture, industry and recreation; is a source of drinking water for people and is an attraction for both Canadians and tourists.

Pollution

As the population increases and more pollution is generated, Canada’s water bodies are being negatively impacted. While they do have the capacity to purify themselves biologically, they can not keep up with the toxins we are putting in them, whether intentionally or accidentally.

Of most concern are the pollutants that are entering Canada’s water bodies from industrial activities, agriculture and from our homes. While our water may look clean and pristine, a closer look may prove otherwise. It may even take several years for the impacts of some pollutants to become apparent.

But the health of our water supplies is not something to be taken lightly. Polluted water can impact fish and wildlife leading to reduced fertility, damage to immune systems, deformities, tumours, even death. And remember, our drinking water may come from these same systems.

Many Canadians believe that because they are far from an ocean, there is no need to worry about them. But this is simply not true. Every single community in Canada is linked to the ocean by the natural flow of water through streams, rivers, wetlands, ponds, and lakes. Whether clean or contaminated, most of the water we use makes its way to the sea. Though you may not realize it, your daily activities can jeopardize the health of Canada’s special marine places, their creatures, and the millions of people associated to them.

Loss of water bodies

Also of concern is the loss of water. Wetlands, for example, have been considered wastelands and have been destroyed at alarming rates for development, agriculture, commerce and industry. However, wetlands are one of the most productive habitats on the planet as they reduce flood waters, act as important filters, provide critical habitat for wildlife, and store carbon.

Invasive species

The health of Canada’s water systems is also prone to the impacts of invasive alien species. One needs to look no further than the impacts of the zebra mussel in the Great Lakes. Thought to have arrived through the ballast water of ships in the 1980s from Asia, the zebra mussel has now spread throughout the entire Great Lakes system. Impacts of this non-native intruder includes competition with young fish for zooplankton, loss of spawning habitat for some fish species, a possible increase in toxic blue-green algal blooms, and zebra mussels accumulate contaminants in their tissue which in turn becomes toxic for their predators.

If one invasive species can disrupt the natural balance of a system to this degree, imagine what several invasive species can do. Invasive species are among the biggest threats to wildlife habitat, biodiversity, and the web of life.

Oil spills

Oil from ships can enter Canada’s oceans either accidentally or by deliberate dumping. Deliberate dumping is the primary source of oil pollution in Atlantic Canada. This is a chronic problem and is both illegal and preventable. It’s done primarily for economics and convenience — it’s actually cheaper to dump and risk paying the fines than to go into port and dispose of oil legally in Canadian waters.

Seabirds face the greatest threats from oil, especially those that dive underwater to catch their food. In fact, approximately 300,000 seabirds die annually from oil pollution off the coast of Newfoundland. Seabirds suffer from drowning, hypothermia, poisoning, and loss of flight, irritation, and ulceration.

What is CWF doing?

There are many threats facing Canada’s water supply and CWF wants to help bring awareness to these issues.

One way we do this is through our Rivers to Oceans educational materials. This special week focuses on creating an understanding of Canada’s watersheds, our connection to fresh- and saltwater environments, and what we can do to protect them. With a different theme each year, there is something for everyone to learn!

CWF also produced a poster and field guide called “Shorelines…a festival of life, A Guide to Shoreline Flora and Fauna.” The aim of this resource is to show Canadians how important a healthy shoreline is to wildlife. It is amazing how many creatures depend on shorelines for their survival.

CWF also provided comments to the Expert Panel on Groundwater to help determine what is needed to achieve the sustainable management of Canada’s groundwater resources.

CWF partnered with the University of Lethbridge to bring you the Rivers to Oceans public service announcements. With a PSA on surface water, ground water, waste water, storm water, and one on how to conserve and protect water, they show how everything we do impacts this precious resource.

CWF was also active in getting the government to support Bill C-15, An Act to Amend the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. This Bill came into effect in June, 2005 and resulted in increased fines for illegal dumping. CWF wrote numerous letters in support of this Bill and also went before the Senate Standing Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources to further indicate our support.