Over the years urban environmental change has been dramatic with the rapid growth of many cities. Year round smog alerts, heat islands, high UV Indexes, noise, air and water pollution are evidence of the deterioration in the quality of the environment.  The rural landscape is undergoing its own dramatic environmental changes. More than ever people are escaping the heat and pollution of the city for a weekend in the country or trading the hectic urban life for the slower rural experience.   In many rural areas, development is now threatening the water resources. Lakes, rivers and streams as well as groundwater are changing and becoming increasingly polluted from point and non-point sources.

Water Pollution and Phosphorous

One non- point source of rural water pollution is from fertilizers.  The phosphates in fertilizers are particularly mobile in the environment and in certain conditions will rapidly leach out of the soil into rivers and lakes.  In the water, phosphorous accelerates aquatic plant and algae growth.  Phosphorous has been identified as the main cause of green algae blooms in rural water bodies.  Farmers are under constant pressure to increase crop yields which requires the use of significant amounts of fertilizers and pesticides. Mistakenly, the public has been lead to believe that golf courses are a major source of rural water pollution.  However, unlike farmers, golf course superintendents must be licensed and using good cultural techniques they limit the need to use chemicals.

Domestic waste water is another major non- point source of phosphorous.  Phosphates are the component of chemical cleaning products that help keep your clothes bright and dishes clean.  They enter the water directly from rural domestic septic systems and city water treatment facilities. Some municipalities have banned the general public from using pesticides but governments continue to permit the use of products containing phosphates.

Protecting Lakes and Streams

Development in rural watersheds has led to an increase in the amount of sediments entering the water. Some municipalities have instituted by-laws to preserve a buffer zone around lakes and riparian environments to reduce sediment pollution and water turbidity. The vegetation must not be removed in these areas and access to the water is limited to narrow strips of land. These buffer strips and naturalized waterfronts help limit the amount of sediment, fertilizers and pesticides entering the water by surface runoff.  The shade they provide keeps the shoreline water cool which is beneficial for aquatic species.

It seems everyone wants to be on the water and the price tags on waterfront property have increased considerably in many rural areas. Some municipalities now require that all docks be removable.  These docks are often constructed of light weight aluminum piping for easy removal and to promote uninterrupted shore flow.

Good municipal land use and watershed planning, provincial environmental legislation and enforcement are helping to protect the diminishing quality of rural water resources.  This combined with public education and an increasing awareness of environmental change can transform the way we perceive and use this valuable resource.