The Ottawa River provides drinking water to over 1,000,000 residents, is part of the worlds largest freshwater ecosystem and flows through our nations capital.  Collectively, we all contribute to the pollution that is impacting our river.  However, there are sustainable solutions to address many of our problems and municipalities can do more to protect and restore our river.

Its time for municipalities and other government agencies to adopt more progressive policies and to make protection of the river a priority.

The Ottawa River provides drinking water to over 1,000,000 residents, is part of the worlds largest freshwater ecosystem and flows through our nations capital.  Collectively, we all contribute to the pollution that is impacting our river.  However, there are sustainable solutions to address many of our problems and municipalities can do more to protect and restore our river.

Its time for municipalities and other government agencies to adopt more progressive policies and to make protection of the river a priority.

We, the undersigned encourage our local leaders to;

1. Preserve and restore the natural features that help protect the health and integrity of our river (shorelines, floodplains and wetlands) and enforce municipal and provincial laws that protect these natural features
2. Support increased funding for wastewater infrastructure improvements: stop dumping untreated sewage into the river
3. Promote public access to the river and monitor/report on water quality at your municipal beaches 
4. Share information with the public and encourage water literacy and public participation in decision-making
5. Encourage sustainable development and projects that have a positive impact on our river and our community
6. Make the health of our river and the safety of our drinking water a priority

Sincerely,