In partnership with our U.S. colleagues, we’ve created a poster to showcase the habitat restoration efforts that have occurred on both sides of the Detroit River through the Areas of Concern program.
Though U.S. and Canada have separate Remedial Action (cleanup) plans for the Detroit River, we regularly exchange ideas and partner on projects. View our latest collaboration – a poster of ongoing and completed habitat restoration projects in the river.
Many thanks to everyone who came out for the Detroit River Evening on June 17th, 2020 on Zoom. There were over 150 people who either attended or watched the video since the event! Thanks to all the presenters who provided updates on the important work being done in the Detroit River Area of Concern by the DRCC Public Advisory Council, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Miss the event? Watch it on our YouTube here:
Protect the Detroit River from home
There are over 5 million people on the Canadian and American sides of the Detroit River who live in the watershed and depend on it for drinking water. Residents in Canada who live in Turkey Creek, Little River and Canard River watersheds can be stewards of the Detroit River, and do many things to reduce negative impacts on the shared resource.
Pollutants of the Detroit River originating from Windsor generally include:
The City of Windsor’s, Town of LaSalle’s and Amherstburg’s sewer system and associated Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs)
Collection of litter in storm drains
Improper disposal of oils, gasoline and other substances
Sewage pump in Essex, Ontario being serviced due to a large blockage of non-flushable material. Photo credit: Town of Essex Facebook Page, April 16 2020.
Household Actions
The sanitary sewers (connected to our homes) and waste water treatment plants (where our water goes to from our homes) are designed to treat only sanitary wastes only. DO NOT put fats, oils and greases (FOGs), plastics, sanitary products, “flushable wipes” or household hazardous chemicals down your drains.
Fats, Oils and Grease (FOGs): FOGs accumulate in the sewers, restricting flows, and may contribute to basement flooding. FOGs that make it to the WWTP clog pipes and screens, and reduce the effectiveness of the overall treatment process, increasing plant operation costs. FOGs should be allowed to solidify in a jar and then be disposed of with the garbage.
Plastics: Plastics and rags are unhealthy for sewers. These objects float and by-pass the chemical and physical collection processes at WWTP. The following should be disposed of as regular garbage: personal hygiene products, wrappers, rags and product labels.
Household Chemicals: The WWTPs are designed to treat human waste only. Other chemicals entering the WWTP may pass through the plant to the Detroit River. All household chemicals, including pesticides should be taken to the Household Chemical Waste Depot.
Household chemicals can include expired or unwanted medication, pesticides, flea sprays and collars, paints, stains, thinners and acids, drain cleaners, pool chemicals, car products such as motor oil and antifreeze, gas, kerosene, diesel and propane tanks and items that contain Mercury such as thermometers, thermostats and CFL bulbs.
#1, #2, and TP, that’s it!
A friendly reminder that to prevent sewer backups, only #1, #2, and TP are flushable. ‘Flushable’ wipes do not break down like TP and can clog sewers. Check out our wastewater video we created in partnership with The City of Windsor for more information.
Outdoor Actions
Help reduce the volume of sewage, runoff, pollution, litter and organic matter that could end up in the river untreated through storm sewers.
Storm Sewers carry stormwater runoff only. Storm Sewers eventually drain to the Detroit River, untreated. There are 732 kilometres of storm sewers within the City of Windsor
Disconnecting downspouts allows rainwater to flow onto lawns freeing up capacity in the sewers during storms.
Installing a rain barrel will help you conserve water, as rain water collected during a storm can be used to water your garden on dry days.
Keep storm drains clear of debris during storm events. This not only helps protect fish and wildlife in the Detroit River watershed, but also prevents storm drain backups that can lead to street flooding.
Keep a tight lid on your trash can and recycle bins to reduce wind blown litter.
When pesticides and fertilizers are applied to lawns, between 60-90% of the chemical sprays are washed into sewer drains and eventually rivers, where they impact wildlife. If you have unwanted weeds in your yard, pull them out by hand.
Pick up your pet’s waste while at home and out in parks, trails and conservation areas.
Consider washing your vehicle at a facility that recycles water by sending it to the sanitary sewer, instead of washing it in your driveway.
Unfortunately in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there are several events that are cancelled this year in Windsor-Essex focused on celebrating Earth Month in different ways.
The Earth Day community tree planting in east Windsor is cancelled in April and is expected to be rescheduled to October 2020. In addition, the annual Earth Day celebration at Malden Park is cancelled. Organizations involved in both of these events are working to create some online content to celebrate Earth Month virtually and continue the celebrations virtually and keep us focused on the environment during this time.
As more online content develops, the DRCC will post it here to this page. Initiatives available are listed below.
Earth Day Student Contest
Looking for something meaningful to do while the kids are home from school? Tell us how you are taking action on climate change! Individual actions for the environment can create ripple effects that inspire and motivate others. Whether it is spreading the word on social media or creating a poster to hang, we want to know how you are making a difference. Students can submit illustrations, essays, poems or photos. There are cool prizes to be won! The deadline to submit is extended until fall 2020. Guidelines and how to submit can be found here.
eEarth Day Call to Action
This is a virtual initiative, run by the Detroit River Coalition, that asks volunteers pledge to replace one single-use item that they frequently use with a reusable alternative, then share their promise online. The idea is that we exhibit how small acts by many TOGETHER can have huge environmental impact. The pledge is hosted through the Detroit River Coalition, and we invite you to:
2) Share their promise to the environment on social media via photos or videos (tag @DetroitRiverCoalition or @DetRivCoalition and use the hashtag #eEarthDay
3) In honor of Earth Day’s 50th Anniversary (April 22) and in an effort to show how small acts by many TOGETHER can have huge environmental impact, encourage friends and family to join you in taking the pledge.
You can find all of the information needed on our website, including a direct link to the pledge form.
What is the Detroit River Canadian Cleanup?
One of the most common questions we get while at outreach events is “What is the Detroit River Canadian Cleanup?” We’ve developed a new brochure that helps answer this question. Learn more about us here!
Curious about what is happening in the Detroit River Area of Concern on the US side? Here are some upcoming opportunities to learn more, share ideas and think about future habitat restoration projects!Our first Detroit River Community Forum will be held TOMORROW Wednesday, Oct. 2 at The Congregation in Detroit. The forums will allow the community to ask questions and discuss future visioning for the Detroit River. The goals of the Community Forums are to provide opportunities to openly share community needs, visions, and help collaborate with the public in future restoration efforts.If you can't attend the forum on Oct. 2, have no fear there will be TWO other opportunities for you to share your input! #FriendsoftheDetroitRiver #PublicAdvisoryCouncil #DetroitRiver #HabitatRestoration #AreaofConcern ... See MoreSee Less
The State of the Strait is a binational (Can/US) collaboration that hosts a meeting every two years to bring together government managers, researchers, students, environmental and conservation organizations, and concerned citizens. Participants work to understand historical ecosystem conditions and assess current ecosystem status in order to achieve a better future for the Detroit River and western Lake Erie.Registration is free, but you must register to attend the conference. Deadline to Register is Oct. 8, 2024. See you there! www.uwindsor.ca/glier/state-of-the-strait... See MoreSee Less
Did you hear about the recent funding announcement? Many local projects will be invested in through the Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative! The DRCC implements the Remedial Action Plan for the Detroit River Area of Concern and will work with many partners and agencies to restore critical habitat in the watershed.Read more about the funding, the programs and projects that will be invested in to restore Great Lakes freshwater ecosystems: www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/news/2024/09/the-government-of-canada-invests-76-mill...... See MoreSee Less
Yesterday the DRCC spent an unforgettable day on the Detroit River with our partners to learn about the successful Peche Island fish habitat and erosion project and to site see potential habitat works! The positive impacts are long lasting. Numerous fish species are present as well as a significant increase of submerged aquatic vegetation. Additional in water projects are in the feasibility and planning stages. We look forward to sharing more soon 🐟🐢🦅 Thank you to RAW Watersports for the cruise! ... See MoreSee Less
The Guide to Eating Ontario Fish provides easy-to-use information to help the general population and sensitive populations (for example, children unde […]
Join the Detroit River Canadian Cleanup (DRCC) at their 13th Annual Detroit River Evening to celebrate restoration milestones for the Detroit River. T […]
Get Involved!
From tree plantings and clean ups, to advocacy and education programs, CLICK HERE to find out how you can be involved with protecting and enhancing the Detroit River.
