Burlington is fortunate to have the Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO world biosphere reserve, in our backyard and Lake Ontario in our front yard. With that great fortune comes great responsibility.
There are many water-focused activities happening throughout Burlington, through local government, in the community and with our provincial and federal government partners to ensure the quality of our drinking water remains high and that the water we use for recreation is drinkable, swimmable and fishable for generations to come.
| The Future of Water |
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Halton Children's Water Festival The Halton Children's Water Festival combines Ontario curriculum requirements and offers fun, hands-on learning activity centres that are displayed throughout the event in a natural outdoor setting. Nearly 60 interactive activity centres teach children about water conservation and protection, water health and safety, water science and technology, and water and society. Visit Halton Children's Water Festival... Ontario's Great Lakes Strategy 2016 Progress Report This progress report outlines some of the key accomplishments and new scientific findings established during the first three years of Ontario's Great Lakes Strategy. It represents the actions across 14 different Great Lakes ministries and numerous partners. Read Ontario's Great Lakes Strategy 2016 Progress Report... Lake Ontario Shoreline Management Program Conservation Halton works on the Lake Ontario Shoreline Management Program in partnership with local municipalities, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Learn more about the Lake Ontario Shoreline Management Program... Register for the Great Waters Challenge The Great Waters Challenge (GWC) will guide young Canadians (grades 4-12 & youth groups such as scouts, girl guides or eco-clubs for age 9-18) to uncover and celebrate water stories in their communities. These stories will be showcased on an interactive online map, to make visible how water connects us all across our communities from coast to coast. |
| Cleaning up around creeks and Burlington Bay |
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Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan A remedial action plan for Hamilton Harbour was developed in 1992 and updated in 2002. The RAP includes a set of actions to improve harbour water quality and environmental conditions, and is intended to remove the harbour as an area of concern, designated by the International Joint Commission (IJC) in 1987. Environment Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change co-ordinate the development and implementation of RAPs to protect and restore areas of concern in Canada. A number of local stakeholders are involved in the actions, including the cities of Burlington and Hamilton, Halton Region and the Bay Area Restoration Council. Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan... Randle Reef Sediment Remediation Project Hamilton Harbour, also known as Burlington Bay, is home to the largest and most contaminated site within the Canadian side of the Great Lakes - Randle Reef. The cities of Hamilton and Burlington are located within and around the watershed. Cleaning up Randle Reef is one of the most significant steps remaining to remediate Hamilton Harbour and remove it from the list of Areas of Concern. The project will reduce the amount and spread of contaminants through the Harbour, significantly improving water quality and fish and wildlife habitat. Visit the Randle Reef Sediment Remediation Project... Clean Up Green Up with BurlingtonGreen Each April, BurlingtonGreen hosts this citywide event inviting all sectors of the community to get involved in cleaning up our beautiful city. To date, more than 55,000 participants have joined the collective effort resulting in cleaner parks, streams, school yards and neighbourhoods. Visit Clean Up Green Up with BurlingtonGreen... Halton Watershed Stewardship Program Conservation Halton offers a free environmental assistance program to landowners in its jurisdiction called Halton Watershed Stewardship (formerly the Hamilton-Halton Watershed Stewardship Program). The mission is to protect and restore environmentally significant natural areas and watercourses, such as creeks and streams, in the Conservation Halton watersheds. Visit Halton Watershed Stewardship Program... Field and Stream Rescue Team The Field and Stream Rescue Team holds several projects a year that count on community volunteers to participate and aid in cleaning, general stream rehabilitation and native tree and shrub plantings. The goal is to educate communities through hands-on activities and create an overall cleaner, more natural environment. Each cleanup removes debris and litter from the streams and creeks to reduce potential harmful material from entering the Great Lakes, our fresh water resource. Cleanups also improve water flow and reduce stagnant water where mosquitoes breed. Visit Field and Stream Rescue Team... Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup allows participants to register for a cleanup any time of the year, anywhere land connects to water. Search the interactive map to lead or join a cleanup. Nearly 60,000 registrants cleaned more than 2,000 shorelines across Canada in 2015, removing almost 180,000 kilograms of litter from more than 3,000 kilometres of shoreline. |
| Our Drinking Water |
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Halton Region Halton Region consistently monitors our water to make sure that it's safe and available 24/7. The region carefully treats water to remove any potentially harmful contaminants and disinfects water to make sure it's safe when it reaches our faucets. The region maintains an elaborate underground network of pipes to get it there. Thirsty? Try the tap! In 2010, Burlington City Council endorsed the Thirsty? Try the tap! campaign to promote tap water and introduce restrictions on the sale of bottled water in city facilities. As part of this campaign, Council approved a plan to update and/or replace water fountains with bottle fillers at indoor and outdoor facilities, including two water bars now used for outdoor city events. Learn more about Burlington's waste initiatives... Well Water Many Halton Region residents, living primarily in rural areas, rely on private wells, cisterns or other sources for their drinking water. Learn more about well water...
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| Conserving Water |
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Outdoor Water Use Program During the hot summer months, water consumption can increase by 50 per cent. Despite the increase in demand for water, there are limits to both the amount of potable water any given treatment plan can produce and the amount of water the region is permitted to take from any given water source. Learn more about the Outdoor Water Use Program... Water Conservation To make sure there is the same accessibility to fresh water resources in the future, we need to make water conservation an important part of our daily lives today. |
| Preventing Flooding |
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Province Supporting Pilot to Assess 4,000 Burlington Homes Ontario is investing $237,000 in a pilot project that will help Burlington homeowners reduce the risk of basement flooding from severe weather events associated with climate change. After experiencing substantial residential flooding in August 2014, Burlington was selected as the ideal location to run the first large-scale basement-flood risk reduction program. Learn more about the support pilot project... Natural Hazards: Flooding and Erosion Flooding and erosion are natural hazard concerns in Conservation Halton's watershed. Threats directly associated with flooding and erosion includes property damage, personal injury, or loss of life, as well as impacts to water quality and the area's animals and plants. Learn more about Natural Hazards: Flooding and Erosion... Basement Flooding Halton Region has been taking action to reduce future overloading of the region's wastewater system and the potential for basement flooding due to sewer backups. Halton has a number of programs and services to support residents to protect themselves, their properties and their community. Learn more about Basement Flooding... Storm Water Management in Burlington Water generated from a variety of sources, including rain, snowmelt or excess water from residential and commercial properties is referred to as storm water. This water flows and reaches one or a combination of systems designed to transport storm water such as swales (a v-shaped ditch), roadside ditches, storm sewers and creeks. Through these channels, the water is ultimately discharged into Lake Ontario. |
| Education about Water |
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Participate in an environmental education program to learn more about water stewardship:
Subscribe to the city's Take Action Burlington blog full of great information about how collectively we can make a difference. Blog posts related to water include: |
| Burlington's Beaches and Waterfront Parks | ||||
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Waterfront at Downtown Burlington Burlington's Downtown Waterfront is a unique destination offering Burlington residents and visitors a place to discover, celebrate, play, and relax. The waterfront includes four primary areas: The Brant Street Pier, Spencer Smith Park, Discovery Landing and Beach way Park. Waterfront at Downtown Burlington... Beach Water Monitoring Results Halton Region's Health Department monitors area beaches to protect swimmers from illnesses or harm that may be linked to unsafe water quality. Beach Water Monitoring Results... Great Lakes Waterfront Trail Stretching 1,600 kilometers along the Canadian shores of Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair and the Niagara, Detroit and St. Lawrence Rivers, the Waterfront Trail connects 84 communities; three Great Lakes; three bi-national Rivers; three UNESCO biospheres; and 10 cycle-friendly communities. It includes more than 40 major connecting trails, including the Greenbelt Route and the Bruce Trail. Great Lakes Waterfront Trail... LaSalle Park LaSalle Park and Pavilion is a beautiful 57-acre park located on North Shore Boulevard, developed and operated by the City of Burlington since 1970s. It includes sports fields, a playground, a wading pool and splash pad and an extensive picnic area and a marina. Paletta Lakefront Park and Mansion This picturesque park with mature trees is located on the south side of Lakeshore Road, between Appleby and Walkers Line. The park is divided into two distinct areas, the estate lands and the valley walls and flood plain of Shore acres Creek. Burlington Beach Regional Waterfront Park Master Plan The Burlington Beach Regional Waterfront Park is a premier waterfront park located in downtown Burlington on the Lake Ontario shoreline. The park is approximately 35 hectares in size and is made up of two city parks, Spencer Smith Park and Beach way Park. The new Master Plan will provide a long-term strategic vision for the park. Burlington Beach Regional Waterfront Park Master Plan... Burloak Waterfront Park Master Plan Halton Regional Council approved the revised master plan for Burl oak Regional Waterfront Park. The city is working with its partners from Halton Region and the Town of Oakville to develop construction drawings for the phased development of the park. The first phase may include construction of the main walkway system, seating areas and a shade pavilion. Burloak Waterfront Park Master Plan...
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| Pool, Spa & Hot Tub Maintenance | ||||
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Burlington Sewer Systems Did you know the City of Burlington has two different sewer systems?
Did You Know?
Why Should I Be Concerned About Chlorine and Saltwater from My Pool, Spa or Hot Tub?
Ravines and Valleys Pool water (of any kind) can never be drained into a ravine or valley, or onto the ground near a ravine or valley. Pool water will cause erosion and serious damage to vegetation. Your Responsibility As the owner of a private swimming pool, hot tub or spa, you and your pool service company are legally responsible to:
Dispose of expired or leftover pool chemicals properly. Take them to the Halton Waste Management Site - Household Hazardous Waste Depot at 5400 Regional Rd. 25, Milton and watch for annual Special Waste Drop-off Days at halton.ca/waste. Maintaining Your Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Water the Right Way Opening Your Pool in the Springtime
Filter Backwash Water
Draining your pool, spa and hot tub water Never drain on a rainy day or into a ravine. Chlorinated Water
Saltwater
Report a Spill
Link to "Your Guide to Proper Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Maintenance" brochure (pdf) |
