Environment 2008> Living In Niagara

Introduction to the Environment

Environment 2008

Our environment provides beauty, living space and economic, recreational and tourist potential. It also provides for agriculture, food and nourishment. Geography influences much of where and how we work, live and play and place forms a significant part of our identity. The quality of our air, water and ecosystem support...
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Water Use

Environment 2008

We need fresh water in Niagara for drinking and household, agricultural, industrial and recreational uses. Approximately 10% of water used is for residential use in Canada.
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Water Quality

Environment 2008

• Freshwater samples collected from 2003-2004 from 359 water quality monitoring stations in southern Canada and 36 locations in northern Canada found freshwater was considered good or excellent in 44% of the southern sites and 56% of northern sites.
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Waste Water and Sewage Treatment

Environment 2008

In 2005, the rate of sewer bypass was 10 times higher than the provincial average and more costly than the benchmark average of municipalities in Ontario.
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Beach Postings for High E. Coli Levels

Environment 2008

The Niagara Region Public Health Unit monitors 13 beach sites along Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, the southern Niagara River and the public beach at Dils Lake. They take weekly samples and post closings when the bacteria levels are high and health could be affected. They check for E.coli that could...
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The Air Quality Index (AQI).

Environment 2008

The Air Quality Index (AQI) monitors concentrations of five major pollutants (carbon monoxide, fine particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, ozone and sulphur dioxide) to determine whether the quality of air is Good, Fair, Poor, or Very Poor. Good is the best possible rating and means there are no known harmful effects...
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Smog Advisory Days

Environment 2008

The number of smog advisory days is known to have a negative impact on breathing, especially for the elderly, young children and those with respiratory problems.
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Recycling, Compost and Waste Disposal

Environment 2008

Residential waste diverted from landfills by recycling and composting saves land for recreational, agricultural and housing use. In 2005, 178,857 tonnes of residential waste from residential properties with 5 or less units were managed by the Niagara Region and 20% was recycled (35,045 tonnes); 20% composted (34,999 tonnes); and 60%...
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Green Space and Agricultural Land Space

Environment 2008

According to a 2004 report from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), Niagara’s ecological footprint is a little smaller than that of many of our neighbours. The report estimates the average Niagara resident needs about 6.88 hectares of land and water to sustain his or her lifestyle.
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Green House Gas Emissions (GHGE)

Environment 2008

Although Canadians make up 0.5% of the population in the world, our share of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) is estimated to be 2%. The increase in total greenhouse gas emissions in Canada (25%) outpaced population growth (17%) from 1990 to 2005.
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Ground Level Ozone Levels

Environment 2008

Data from 1990 to 2005 show an increasing trend in the ground-level ozone indicator in both southern Ontario (which includes Niagara) and southern Quebec. These two regions had the highest concentrations and fastest increase of all regions monitored.
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Pesticide Use

Environment 2008

Residential and commercial use and disposal of high levels of pesticides for plant care is suspected to have a negative affect on the land, animals and the water. In a 2004 paper from the Ontario College of Family Physicians reviewing studies on pesticides, Gideon Foreman with the Canadian Alliance of...
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