Grand River Conservation Authority, Clean Up Rural Beaches 1993 progress report

During the Rural Beaches Program in the mid eighties, the impact of livestock wastes and septic systems were documented in three subwatersheds in the Grand River. Since 1991 the Grand River Conservation Authority has participated in the delivery of the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Energy's Clean Up Rural Beaches Program (CURB), The program provides funds to assist rural landowners in the reduction of surface water pollution from livestock wastes and septic systems. During 1993 approximately $300,000 was provided to landowners to implement 58 projects. Since 1991 approximately $606,000 has been provided for 125 projects to improve water quality in the Upper Speed, Upper Nith and Upper Conestogo River Watersheds. The grant provided financial assistance for the construction of 20 manure storage systems, 18 septic systems, 10 milkhouse waste storage facilities and 10 livestock access restriction projects. The majority of the projects were constructed in the Upper Conestogo and Upper Nith River Watersheds. Monitoring helps to establish background levels for water quality. The Nith River again exhibited the poorest water quality of the three watersheds. The levels of E. coli were slightly lower than the levels observed in 1992. The E. coli level in the Upper Conestogo were generally lower than those observed in 1992. The Speed River exhibited the best overall water quality, although the densities of E. coli have not changed much from 1992. Monitoring specific remedial sites before and after implementation has shown that individual projects can improve local water quality. Water quality at a livestock restriction project significantly improved at the downstream station after the cattle were restricted. In addition to decreases in nutrients and bacteria, water temperature decreased, making the stream more habitable for trout. Results from a buffer strip project demonstrated that bacteria and nutrients are reduced as the stream flows through the buffered area. More monitoring is required to determine the physical and biological changes that occur in the stream as well.