Sampling Methodologies

There are two significant groundwater monitoring programs within the Lake Simcoe watershed, both of which include quality monitoring components. The two programs are the Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network, operated by the LSRCA, and the monitoring program undertaken by The Regional Municipality of York as part of the Municipal Water Supply Program.

The sampling component of the Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network was initiated in 2002. The initial samples taken were analyzed for a wider range of parameters than is envisioned for long-term monitoring to establish the parameters of concern. This initial suite of analyses includes:

• Metals;
• Volatile organic compounds;
• Pesticide compounds;
• Phenols;
• and a general chemistry package including analytes such as;
  Dissolved solids,
  • Major ions,
  • Conductivity,
  • Nitrites, nitrates and
  • Hardness.

The Regional Municipality of York monitors groundwater level in an extensive network of production and monitoring wells, the majority of which are in the Lake Simcoe watershed. Water quality is also monitored on a regular basis for the municipal water supply wells and selected monitoring wells in York Region. The analytes tested for in treated and untreated groundwater include:

• Microbiological parameters;
• Migrobiological indicators;
• Inorganics (metals);
• Chemical/Physical Parameters (includes general water quality parameters described above);
• Volatile Organics;
• Pesticides and PCBs; and
• Radionuclides (treated water only).

The regional water quality testing program and frequency is in accordance with Section 11 of Ontario Drinking Water Systems Regulation 170/03 . Results of treated water quality monitoring for the municipal water supply in York Region can be viewed at: York Region Water Quality Reports.

Parameters
Sampling Methodologies
Sampling Locations and Data Download