The CLEAR Network - Thames River

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TOPICS OF INTEREST

Thames River Indicator Thames River Water Quality (Total Phosphorus)

Thames River

Thames River Indicators

Shared Accountability - Improving the Thames River

Thames River Water Quality (Total Phosphorus)

What Does this mean?
Why is This Important?
How Are We Doing?
Taking Responsibility - What You can Do
We Must All be Accountable - Improving Water Conservation And Thames River Quality - Find out More

What Does This Mean?

Phosphorous is a necessary nutrient for plant and animal life. However when it is too abundant, it can smother the organisms that live within the Thames River and exaggerate the growth of other organisms such as algae. It is also a common ingredient in soaps and fertilizers and is contained in effluent from Pollution Control Plants (PCP). The quantity of phosphorous in the outflow from PCP into the Thames River is one of a number of elements monitored by City of London staff. The outflow levels from PCP are also regulated by Ministry of the Environment guidelines. Impacts from upstream of the city of London (e.g. agricultural land uses, septic systems) also contribute to the overall concentration of Phosphorus, also referred to as Total Phosphorus.

Why Is This Important?

Phosphorus is one of several parameters that indicate the impact of human activity on a watercourse. Too much phosphorous upsets the natural balance or chemistry in surface water such as the Thames River. An imbalance can cause excessive algae growth and an abundance of aquatic plant life in the Thames River. This additional plant growth can deplete oxygen levels in the river used by fish and other organisms that rely on a healthy balance of oxygen. Decomposing plant life can also decrease the appeal of the river due to floating masses of plants and the unpleasant smell of rotting plants.

How Are We Doing?

â Staying The Same

Total Phosphorus Concentrations (1999 to 2003)

Data Measured	Thames River entering London		Thames River exiting London
Data Measured	Clarke Road (North Branch)	Whites Bridge (South Branch)	Byron Bridge
Average (mg/L)	0.14	0.14	0.20
Minimum (mg/L)	0.01	0.01	0.01
Maximum (mg/L)	0.51	0.94	1.12
# of occasions PWQO met	8%	12%	4%

Note: Provincial Water Quality Objectives (PWQO) for total phosphorus is less than 0.03 mg/L.

The City of London monitors Total Phosphorus partly due to the requirements of the Ministry of the Environment who regulates the operation of the Pollution Control Plants. The results are summarized above to represent a cross section of the entire city showing 3 sites along the Thames River; two sites near the upstream end of the river at Clark Road (north branch) and at Whites Bridge (south branch) and one site near the downstream end of the river at Byron.

These results all show that the Thames River on average is in excess of the Provincial Water Quality Objectives of 0.03 mg/L of total phosphorus both entering and leaving the city. During this 5 year time period, samples taken at the upstream end of the city were in compliance with water quality objectives between 8% and 12% of the time. The incidence level is less at the downstream end when concentration levels met objectives only 4% of the time.

A decrease in Phosphorus concentrations in the Thames River will occur when improvements occur both in the city of London and in upstream areas outside the city. Our upstream partners will be key in assisting us in lowering these overall high levels of Phosphorus.

Compared to 1999, it appears that the general trend of Phosphorus concentrations has been stable. Compared to earlier historic records for the Thames River dating back to 1978, these past 5 years have seen slightly lower concentrations likely attributable to improvements in PCP efficiencies and farming practices. These efficiencies and improvements need to continue to create improvements to water quality based on Total Phosphorus concentrations.

· Use phosphorus-free laundry detergents.

· When fertilizing your lawn, apply fertilizer as directed.

· Conserve water both inside and outside of your home.

· Use a rain barrel to collect rain water for gardening purposes.

· Install low flow shower heads and low flow toilets to reduce waste water from your home.

We Must All be Accountable – Improving Water Conservation And Thames River Quality - Find Out More

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