If there’s one thing that has the power to draw Canadians into the wild, it’s our water. From coast to coast and every lake, stream and river in between, Canada is home to some of the most remarkable bodies of water on the planet. Here, we kayak, canoe, paddle board, swim, dive, and sail. As Canadians, we have the privilege of playing in this water. Sometimes, however, the pristine image of our water doesn’t always match up with the reality of its quality. Mountain Equipment Co-op is working to change that so clean looking water equals clean swimming water.
MEC, in partnership with Waterkeepers Canada, a national organization dedicated to protecting Canadian beaches and swimming holes, are working together to increase awareness around water quality issues across the country.
“This is really about getting engaged with your water,” says Andrew Stegemann, Mountain Equipment Co-op’s Community Program Manager and fresh water conservationist. According to Andrew, “water advocacy really needs to happen at a local level. There’s a national message and myth that all our water is clean. That’s not necessarily true.”
Up until now, it’s been difficult to find consistent and reliable information about water quality at our favourite beaches and lakes. The Waterkeepers first began tracking water quality over ten years ago. They made the decision to empower their supporters to contribute to their research and now Canadians who love to swim, explore and play in the water can make a world of difference by using the Waterkeepers Swim Guide.
Photo of the Waterkeeper’s Swim Guide.
The Swim Guide enables you to discover beaches, parks and lakes ideal for camping and swimming. You can quickly glance at the guide and decide which swimming holes are safe based on the reported water quality. The guide will also help you get to your destination and allow you to add your own two cents for future users on the best ways to access a beach or lake. Best of all, this information helps the Waterkeepers identify which bodies of water need attention and protection. The Swim Guide is always changing and constantly being updated as more Canadians download it and submit their own pollution reports and water quality updates. As a result of attention from its users, the Swim Guide now lists more than 5000 beaches across Canada. So far, the Swim Guide app has been downloaded more than 100,000 times. You can also visit the Swim Guide website to add information and learn more about the water quality near you.
In addition to sharing the Swim Guide app and website with you, we’re also hosting a photo contest on Instagram and rolling out a site that highlights the role that fresh water plays in all our lives.
It’s our hope these online tools will help you better experience and enjoy the water-filled opportunities in your life. Happy swimming!
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