Water Quality

As a lake association one of our responsibilities is to monitor changes in Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria levels and phosphorus levels in Clear Lake. We take water samples and have them tested through Near North Laboratories which is accredited by the Canadian Association for Analytical Laboratories (CALA). We also conduct lake water testing for phosphorus levels and water clarity through the Lake Partner Program operated by the Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks.

We report the testing results to the Clear Lake property owners but the CLPOA has no power to enforce water quality standards. Enforcement is done through the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit who do the actual testing of water for public beaches and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. When E. coli bacteria levels exceed the recreational water quality guideline of 200 E. coli per 100 mL of water the beach may be posted as unsafe for swimming. The maximum acceptable concentration for E. coli in drinking water is zero count detectable per 100 ml.

Between the months of June and September, the CLPOA collects lake water samples from between five and seven locations around Clear Lake, in the bays in-front of beach areas and public access points.  Water samples are collected on a monthly basis but may be altered if we received heavy rainfall which impacts lake water quality as it washes ground surface contaminants into the lake.

Clear Lake water testing results are typically in the range of 0-5 cfu per 100 mL of water at the start of testing and may increase to the range of 5-10 cfu per 100 mL towards the end of the summer in the bays which have more activity.

Water sampling may be increased if testing results point to rising E. coli levels due to fecal contamination from either animal or human sources such as leaking or poorly functioning septic systems.

Lake water testing is also conducted to monitor the levels of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous in the lake which can cause blue -green algae, which are microscopic organisms naturally present in lake water to rapidly increase when lake water is warm and slow moving. When this happens dense algae blooms form on the surface of the lake and along shorelines.

Our goal is to better understand and help protect the water quality of Clear Lake through a planned water quality monitoring program.