Development and implementation of a phosphorus loading
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Abstract
In 1990 the implementation phase of the LSEMS program was initiated. As part of the implementation program, development of a water quality management model was proposed. Water quality models have become recognized as valuable tools for managers and policy makers in enabling them to make informed decisions and provide a forum for negotiation between all watershed stakeholders. BEAK Consultants Limited (BEAK) was selected by the LSEMS Technical Committee to undertake a study to develop this watershed model. There are four main objectives of this study: to predict diffuse non-point and point source pollutant loadings to Lake Simcoe. Non-point sources include agricultural runoff as well as urban stormwater runoff and runoff from other land uses in the watershed (i.e. forest, pasture, wetlands, and scrubland). Point source pollutants include effluent from industrial dischargers and sewage treatment plants; to identify and quantify pollutant loadings from individual sources. This allows an assessment of the effectiveness of remedial measures for individual sources; to run the model based on a number of management scenarios and provide output in easy to interpret graphical and tabular format; and, to provide the model in a user friendly format to allow the LSEMS Technical Committee to use the model as a management tool.