Province-Wide Lack of Wastewater Treatment

Raw sewage is dumped in to the ocean daily from most homes and businesses on the Burin peninsula .  The remains linger and smother the shores of the peninsula and pollute the ocean for generations to come.

Water Pollution

Pollution from homes, agricultural practices and businesses are slowly tainting Newfoundland and Labrador groundwater, rivers, lakes and the ocean they all run of to.  Phosphates from toxic cleaning products like dishwasher detergent and nitrates from harmful farming practices make their way to the ocean, rob it of oxygen and create dead zones.

According to Environment Canada, exposure to harmful chemicals can weaken the immune systems of fish and impair reproduction and development. Some of these chemicals are then passed on to other animals and humans that eat them.

Water Consumption

Municipal water supplies across the country are drying up or are contaminated.  Temperature increases lead to lower water levels.  An example of this is the dry spell in Terrenceville in the summer of 2008.  The town put out a notice to conserve water resources and asked residents not to use sprinklers or wash their cars because the town was using far more water than could be replenished.

Water Exports

Canada's water is in high demand.

Waste Management

• Lack of waste reduction awareness

• Over-consumption
• Over-packaged goods in marketplace

• Unsatisfactory recycling program

• Unlined landfills and open burning of garbage

• Centuries long dumping tradition

Help us tell others to stop leaving their car in the woods!  Visit this site to get it towed for free!  http://www.junkmycar.com/

 

What you can do to help:

• Use nature's cleansers like baking soda and vinegar

• Buy organic foods which do not contain harmful pesticides

• Conserve water

• Reduce your garbage, do not buy over-packaged goods and try to buy in bulk to reduce packaging

• Remember that reducing is the first step, recycling is only a last resort