Total phosphorus is an important measurement. If the phosphorus level is too high, there will be too many aquatic plants and algae, which, in the long term, chokes bodies of water and wipes out the organisms living in them. The data collected are sent to the Biosph re for compilation and analysis. The Biosph re disseminates the data to the public through articles, lectures, its exhibition halls and Internet site. All municipalities that draw their drinking water from and discharge wastewater into the Great Lakes-St.
Lawrence system can become ecowatchers.
Warning Drinking water standards are set by individual provinces and states. However, wastewater standards are specific to each treatment plant. The data provided by Water Quality Network partners have to be considered in relation to these standards and not compared with data from other plants. Copyright 1998, Environment Canada. All rights reserved.