Surface Water

Conservation Halton monitors surface water quality as part of the Provincial Water Quality Monitoring Network (PWQMN) to ensure safe water conditions for both human and aquatic life. In doing so, grab samples are taken from March to October in streams across the watershed. Samples are then taken to the Ministry of the Environment laboratories where they are analyzed for a number of parameters including major ions and nutrients, metals (fixed with acid), suspended solids, biochemical oxygen demand conductivity, pH, alkalinity, temperature and turbidity.

Groundwater

Conservation Halton monitors groundwater quality and quantity as part of the Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network (PGMN). Sites are sampled for water quality annually from groundwater wells in order to safeguard the important groundwater resources of the watershed. Water quality samples are collected and analyzed to determine levels of major ions and nutrients, metals (fixed with acid), pesticides, volatile organic compounds and certain other parameters.

Groundwater levels and temperatures are recorded automatically every 15 minutes by a Levelogger and regularly transferred to a database, either automatically by telemetry or uploaded manually.

The Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network enables an accurate assessment of current groundwater conditions. It provides an early warning system for changes in water levels or in water quality, and provides information for making sound land use planning decisions. The groundwater monitoring network is integrated with other relevant databases, including the province’s low water response strategy.