Page 6 - Huronia Community Foundation - 2023 Vital Signs Report

about aspects of water
quality in some areas. Issues
along the eastern Georgian
Bay coastline and within
Severn Sound, which is a
collection of embayments
at the southeast end of
Georgian Bay, such as overgrowth of algae,
combined sewer overflows during storm
events, and water levels fluctuations were
identified as high priority for action (4).

Overall, Remedial Action Plan
targets for Severn Sound are MONITORING LAKE HEALTH
being met for phosphorus, Photo courtesy of Severn Sound Environmental Association (SSEA)
chlorophyll a, water clarity warnings and extreme storms may occur, as
and dissolved oxygen, with well as reduced air quality. Long-term weather
exceedances in certain areas shifts can also impact water quality, and
around Honey Harbour. the ability to grow food. Once a 1.5°C global
Concentrations of sodium and chloride, temperature rise is reached, the risk of food and
the main components of de-icing salts, are water shortages as well as extreme weather
increasing regionally, and sodium levels in events drastically increases.
some drinking water sources are a potential
concern for those on sodium restricted diets. • If patterns continue, within the next 50 years, the climate
Algae that can produce offensive taste and of the Great Lakes Basin will increase by 2-4°C (9).
odour compounds or toxins are present in the • Over the last 50 years, surface water temperatures
area, and there have been increased reports of averaged across Severn Sound have increased by 2.3°C.
blooms. This can have an impact on the health Warmer waters are a key risk factor leading to more DID YOU KNOW?
of people and wildlife. There are instances frequent algae blooms (10).
were some local rivers do not meet Provincial
Water Quality Objectives for phosphorus
and suspended sediments, although trends LOSS OF HABITAT,
generally show improvement. (5) NATURAL HERITAGE,
AND FARMLAND
DID YOU KNOW? • North Simcoe features over 80 swimming areas and critical for plants and animals
• There are over 7,000 private wells (6), plus 87
Intact, diverse habitats are
municipal wells and 4 municipal surface water
intakes, servicing thousands of residents (7).
to thrive, creating balanced
healthy ecosystems. Wetland habitat loss due
beaches (8).

continued spread of invasive species. These
CLIMATE CHANGE to development is a major concern, along with
issues contribute to other environmental
Climate change can be problems, such as loss of forests and wildlife
defined as long-term habitat, and degraded water quality (11). There
shifts in temperatures and are also concerns that farmland is being lost
weather patterns, which can due to development, which represents a
negatively impact human permanent loss of productive soils (12).
and environmental health.
As a result of these shifts, more summer heat
6 | North Simcoe and Area’s Vital Signs Report 2023