🌊 Protect Our Lakes – Take Action!

Gloucester Pool • Little Lake • MacLean Lake • Black River

Township of Severn & Township of Georgian Bay

Water Quality Concerns

Over the past decade, our lakes have seen continuing rising phosphorus and E. coli levels (above Provincial and District guidelines), causing:

• More weeds and invasive milfoil
• Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms — documented on Little Lake (Simcoe-Muskoka Health, July 2021)
• Reduced water clarity and fish habitat

These are signs of eutrophication, a process driven by excess nutrients and reduced shoreline health.

• Why It Matters
• Unsafe swimming, boating, and fishing
• Toxins from blue-green algae harmful to people and pets
• Declining property values and reduced enjoyment of our lakes

Main Causes

• Aging or leaking septic systems
• Runoff from lawns, roads, and construction
• Loss of natural shoreline vegetation
• Warmer water and low circulation in some bays

How YOU Can Help

✅ Inspect your septic system every 3–5 years

🌿 Keep your shoreline natural – plant native vegetation and avoid cutting to the water

🚫 Reduce nutrients – use phosphate-free fertilizers and detergents

🐾 Stay safe – avoid contact with visible algae; report blooms to Ontario Spills Action Centre (1-800-268-6060) or your local Health Unit

💧 Upcoming Council Meetings – YOUR Voice Matters!

Township of Georgian Bay

GPEC presented to the Committee of the Whole (COW) on water quality concerns [📎 View GB Township Presentation.pdf].

COW recommends that Council:

• Form a Water Quality Stakeholder and Science Advisory Committee (or Working Groups) to establish a Water Quality Monitoring Program for 2026, with funding up to $250,000.
• 📅 Council Meeting: December 1, 2025
  🕘 Join via Zoom – Get the meeting link and agenda from Karen Way or the Township website

💬 YOUR support is essential to help this motion get approved!

Township of Severn

GPEC will make a similar presentation [📎 View Slide Presentation – Severn] to encourage coordinated lake protection.

📅 Council Meeting: November 19, 2025 – 9:00 a.m.

🕘 Join via Zoom: