3 - International Joint Commission

Detroit River corridor and the Niagara River. Spills are a major problem in
the St. Clair River.
Although 362 xenobiotic chemicals have been detected in the waters
of the Great Lakes, no new ubiquitous, persistent and highly toxic
contaminants have been detected since 1982. Future control actions will
have to take into account point sources that have not yet been adequately
controlled (e.g., sewage treatment plants) and non-point sources of chemicals,
such as the atmosphere; chemicals remobilised from contaminated
sediment: agricultural, forestry and urban runoff sources: and groundwater.
In the 1978 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, Canada and the
US. agreed to the virtual elimination of all persistent toxic substances from
the Great Lakes with an eventual goal of zero discharge. Since 1978,
programs have been initiated to reduce eliminate or inputs of contaminants
to the Great Lakes at locations such as the Niagara Frontier, the Detroit and
St. Clair Rivers, and many Areas of Concern. These and other programs
should be expedited so that the goals of virtual elimination and zero
discharge can be realised.
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