TOWN OF AJAX, ONTARIO

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Protection of Freshwater and Coastlines

 

Peer Review – 2006-2009 Waterfront Water Quality Investigations

 
The Town of Ajax has been involved in scientific water quality sampling and analyses in creeks and along our Lake Ontario shoreline since 2005.  Last year, the Town provided funding, in conjunction with the Toronto Region Conservation Authority and others to retain a well-known expert on Great Lakes nearshore water quality to "peer review" sampling results and provide his professional opinion.

Dr. Martin Auer presented an overview of his findings at the recent Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research in Toronto.  We expect to receive his written report in mid-June.

 

http://www.townofajax.com/AssetFactory.aspx?did=8032

Flood Remediation Measures The Town of Ajax is in the process of retaining consultants to conduct an Environmental Assessment for a Flood Risk Area associated with the lower reaches of Carruthers Creek (in a neighbourhood situated north of the Lake Ontario shoreline, adjacent to the Carruthers Creek Provincially Significant Coastal Wetland).  The flood conditions were recently identified in new Regional Storm flood plain mapping prepared by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and the Town is seeking to identify flood remediation measures. 

http://www.townofajax.com/AssetFactory.aspx?did=8907

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Energy and Transportation 

Promoting Active Transportation Throughout the Community
Presently, Ajax has 88 kilometres of trails for walking and bicycling.  From 2010 to 2014, the Town will be investing $6.2 million in an additional 31 kms of trails (including pedestrian bridges and signals) and on-road bicycle lanes - an increase of 35%!

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Green Built Environment

 

The Town is presently conducting an Environmental Assessment Master Plan for a Stormwater Quality Study and Concept Design.  Here is a link to the staff report describing the nature of the study (a presentation poster provided at the recent IALGR conference noted above and the public information session presentation are attached below): 

 

http://www.townofajax.com/AssetFactory.aspx?did=7835

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Green Economic Development

 

Water Quality Studies creating jobs on both side of the boundary 

The Town continues to be the focal point of water quality studies as we seek to improve water quality along Ajax's waterfront.  To identify bacterial contaminants sources contributing to beach closures, the Town has promoted water quality sampling in creeks and nearshore Lake Ontario in Ajax and vicinity.   Samples of water and saturated sediments have been analyzed as part of research by Canadian and U.S. firms developing more effective, rapid-response water quality sampling methodologies.

 

The work has involved a phased approach to bacterial genetic testing.  In 2008, the work was supported, in part, by funds awarded by the Wege Foundation.  In 2009, funding was provided by the U.S. National Science Foundation for the first phase and Ajax will continue to provide comparator samples for further work to be conducted in 2010. 

 

The following are links to various staff reports on water quality testing in Ajax:

 

http://www.townofajax.com/AssetFactory.aspx?did=4674

 

http://www.townofajax.com/AssetFactory.aspx?did=6460 

 

http://www.townofajax.com/AssetFactory.aspx?did=6885

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