The Halls and Hawk lakes system in Algonquin Highlands has been selected for a new Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations (FOCA) pilot seeking to protect “valuable and vital” sources of drinking water across the province.
The chain, a key cog on the Trent Severn Waterway, was one of three watersheds announced for the pilot last week. Shelley Fellows, president of the Halls and Hawk Lakes Property Owners Association (HHLPOA), said this is a big deal for waterfront residents in the immediate area.
“Overall, our lakes look fairly healthy but there are certain things that are a concern… the thing that terrifies me is blue-green algae. We have not had any blooms on the lakes yet, but there was one upstream from us on Kennisis Lake in 2024,” Fellows said.
For years, the association has conducted its own monitoring through the Woodlands and Waterways Ecowatch, a program coordinated by U-Links. That provides a chemical analysis of samples, painting a picture of the lake’s general health but doesn’t identify bacteria that may be in the water, Fellows said.
A successful pilot project could spread to other Highlands lakes
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Walkerton drinking water tragedy, when seven people died and more than 2,300 fell ill following an E. coli contamination. The event led to significant changes in Ontario’s drinking water regulations and practices, including regular bacterial and chemical testing of municipal systems.
A special report by Ontario’s auditor general, released in March, identified ongoing gaps affecting drinking water safety for nearly three million Ontario residents who rely on non-municipal systems for their drinking water. On Halls and the Hawks, where water is pulled from the lake, there’s no legislation requiring upkeep, meaning many systems remain untested and unregulated.
Fellows said HHLPOA applied to be part of the pilot – a second phase for FOCA – in March, shortly after hearing from members on what they feel the association should prioritize in its 20-year lake plan update. A new document will be rolled out next year, replacing the one completed in 2006.
Almost unanimously, water quality was the number one concern heard.
“We asked people about things like boat noise, wakes, water usage, but the top issue by far was this feeling that preserving the quality of the water was paramount,” she said, noting that survey was submitted o FOCA as part of the application. “It definitely helped us land this pilot.”
FOCA’s CEO Lesley Lavender said there were 12 applicants, noting the three selected stood out based on their demonstrated experience, strong volunteer commitment and enthusiasm to build capacity provincially for source water protection. Others selected are based in Sundridge and Perth.
“All lake associations, including those in Haliburton County, are encouraged to explore source water protection,” Lavender said. “FOCA aims to help extend a culture of multi-barrier drinking water protection into rural and waterfront communities, starting with the source – our precious freshwater.
The work
Last year, FOCA partnered with Ontario’s Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) and the Kinmount Park Estates Association to develop a source water protection plan for the waterfront community on Crego Lake.
Working with consulting engineers and volunteers on the lake, the pilot assessed threats to the community’s drinking water, including risks posed by septic systems, fuel storage, and the area’s vulnerable fractured bedrock geology. It provided practical recommendations to help the community mitigate risk and safeguard private water sources.
These include maintaining a naturalized shoreline buffer at the water’s edge, avoiding pesticide use, using biodegradable cleaning products, testing well water, and having septic systems inspected. Fellows anticipates similar recommendations for Halls and Hawk lakes.
A five-person working group has been established, formulating a plan for the summer. She hopes to grow that core group to 10 people, ideally with representatives from each of the three lakes, as well as the Kennisis River. Fellows said HHLPOA has also invited Algonquin Highlands township to participate in the pilot.
The project will kick-off this month at the association’s upcoming AGM, happening June 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Shalom by the Lake resort on Little Hawk Lake Road.
“Then, for the rest of the summer, we will be doing another survey, taking a look at publicly available information on water quality, nearby land uses, and geography and topography of the region to identify risk to source water quality,” she said. “Then, in the fall, we should have a list of risks to drinking water quality and a very specific source water protection plan.”
There will be another meeting late fall to present findings, with a final plan expected by the end of the calendar year. That information will also be used for HHLPOA’s updated 20-year lake plan. She noted that document will likely see several changes from the last one.
“The community is very active and aware about things that were acceptable 25 years ago but aren’t today. Before, many wouldn’t think anything of sending kids into the lake with a bar of soap, but people aren’t doing that anymore,” she said.
“It will be like a strategic plan for our waterbodies, guiding us to ensure the sustainability and health of the lake going forward. Having the FOCA piece this year too just means this latest plan will be the most informative one yet,” she added.
Anyone interested in joining the working group can contact president@ hallshawklakes.ca.
