Mississippi Watershed

Groundwater

The following municipalities have municipal drinking water systems supplied by groundwater within the Mississippi and Rideau watersheds:

• City of Ottawa:

1. Carp – water source, overburden sand aquifer
2. King’s Park Subdivision (Richmond) – water source, Nepean sandstone aquifer; and
3. Munster Hamlet – water source, Nepean sandstone aquifer;

• Municipality of North Grenville – Kemptville – water source, Nepean sandstone aquifer;
• Town of Mississippi Mills – Almonte – water source, Nepean sandstone aquifer;
• Village of Merrickville-Wolford – Merrickville – water source, Nepean sandstone aquifer; and
• Village of Westport – Westport – water source, Nepean sandstone aquifer.

Surface Water

The following municipalities have municipal drinking water systems supplied by surface water within the Mississippi and Rideau watersheds:Mississippi Watershed

• City of Ottawa – Britannia and Lemieux Island Water Treatment Plants – water source, Ottawa River;
• Town of Carleton Place – Carleton Place Water Treatment Plant – water source, Mississippi River
• Town of Perth – Perth Water Treatment Plant – water source, Tay River; and
• Town of Smiths Falls – Smiths Falls Water Treatment Plant – water source, Rideau River.

As detailed above, the total population on private drinking water wells in both watersheds is approximately 135,000 persons.

Mississippi WatershedThe Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) developed a scoring system based on the level of impairment of the water. For example, excellent water quality was identified if 95-100 % of the samples showed no evidence of impairment / compliance with the relevant objectives. The following classifications were identified through the CCME work:

Mississippi River. Source: emrld_cicadaWater quality is affected by many things: erosion and runoff from clearing of shorelines, the use of artificial fertilizers and leachate from sewage disposal systems resulting in too many nutrients leaching the lake. Phosphorus is the key nutrient of concern, too many nutrients can cause weed and algae growth and threatens fish habitat by reducing oxygen levels.

Mississippi Valley Conservation has long recognized the recreational and aesthetic value of lakes within the watershed and is committed to maintaining and protecting water quality and fish habitat.

Mississippi WatershedDrinking Water Treatment

The large drinking water facilities in the Mississippi watershed are:

Mississippi WatershedSurface Water Quality Monitoring

Phosphorus is necessary for the healthy development of plants and animals. It occurs naturally in our lakes and rivers. Human sources of phosphorus, such as leachate from sewage systems, erosion from the clearing of shorelines, lawn fertilizers, pesticides and detergents, can easily push the amount of phosphorus to unhealthy levels.

Phosphorus levels in the Mississippi Valley watershed are measured as a part of the Provincial Water Quality Monitoring Network (PWQMN). There are sixteen regular sampling sites throughout the watershed.

Mississippi Valley Conservation has a number of water quality initiatives happening in the watershed. Get involved with their Watershed Watch Initiative!

Watershed Watch