Nicole Hancock
Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony ...

Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.

Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony to heal Chedoke Creek

US tribes see hope for clean water in infrastructure bill

US tribes see hope for clean water in infrastructure bill

Erland Suppah Jr. doesn’t trust what comes out of his faucet. Each week, Suppah and his girlfriend haul a half-dozen large jugs of water from a distribution center run by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs to their apartment for everything from drinking to cooking to brushing their teeth for their family of five. It’s the only way they feel safe after countless boil-water notices and weekslong shutoffs on a reservation struggling with bursting pipes, failing pressure valves and a geriatric water treatment plant.

Funding flows to B.C. water projects

Funding flows to B.C. water projects

Four projects that support drinking water and wastewater infrastructure are getting a funding boost from B.C. and the federal government. The province announced more than $19.2 million in joint funding will go towards four projects to support drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. The projects will upgrade existing wastewater treatment facilities or construct new drinking water facilities to enhance water capacity, comply with provincial standards, improve surface water quality and protect the surrounding environment. “Upgrades to water and wastewater management systems in these four communities will increase treatment capacity, provide safe potable water to a larger number of residents, and help protect local ecosystems,” said Dominic LeBlanc, minister of intergovernmental affairs, infrastructure and communities, in a statement. “Our government is working collaboratively with our provincial, municipal, and First Nations partners to invest in clean water and create healthy, resilient communities.”

Explain like I’m 5: How did fuel make it into Iqaluit’s water supply?

Explain like I’m 5: How did fuel make it into Iqaluit’s water supply?

The fuel contamination of Iqaluit’s water supply left people asking a lot of questions, not least of which was — how did it get there in the first place? Answering this question was one requirement among a longer list of must-dos before the territory’s chief public health officer, Dr. Michael Patterson, would consider telling people the city’s water was safe to drink again after diesel fuel was detected in the city’s water system in October. Patterson did lift the do-not-consume water advisory on Dec. 10, nearly two months after it was imposed on Oct. 12. The original suspect was a crack in one of two underground holding tanks at Iqaluit’s water treatment plant, where water sits in chlorine before moving into a treated reservoir, called the North Clear well.

Barrowtown residents saved pump station from being swamped, Abbotsford mayor says

Barrowtown residents saved pump station from being swamped, Abbotsford mayor says

Four Abbotsford-area neighbours are being recognized for their early work helping to save the Barrowtown pump station after it was nearly swamped by floodwaters during November's deadly and destructive storms. Chris Kitt, Doug Kasper and brothers Cam and Patrick Raines told CBC News they had been monitoring the water levels for about a day close to properties in Barrowtown on the Sumas Prairie near Abbotsford B.C., where many of them live, when it suddenly became apparent the nearby Sumas River was about to breach its banks.

The Worldwide Industrial Wastewater Treatment Chemicals Industry is Expected to Reach $16.6 Billion by 2026 - ResearchAndMarkets.com

The Worldwide Industrial Wastewater Treatment Chemicals Industry is Expected to Reach $16.6 Billion by 2026 - ResearchAndMarkets.com

The global Industrial wastewater treatment chemicals market size is estimated to be USD 12.8 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 16.6 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 5.3% between 2021 and 2026. This growth is attributed to stringent regulations concerning the emission and treatment of industrial wastes and depleting freshwater resources. However, the shifting demand of end-use industries toward advanced and environment-friendly water treatment technologies is hampering the market growth. On the other hand, growing industrialization resulting from population explosion is expected to leverage new growth opportunities for chemical manufacturers in the industrial wastewater market.

My elective rotation in Iqaluit, Nunavut : strikingly eye-opening

My elective rotation in Iqaluit, Nunavut : strikingly eye-opening

For 60 days, a public health do-not-consume water order was put in place as a precaution when petroleum hydrocarbons were found to be possibly contaminating the city’s drinking water supply. This led to a community response to provide safe drinking water by getting river water from the local Silvia Grinnell territorial park river and mobilizing resources in Canada to bring in bottled water for Iqaluit, a community of approximately 8,000 people.

Water Security Agency Releases the 2021 Conditions at Freeze-up Report

Water Security Agency Releases the 2021 Conditions at Freeze-up Report

Weather modeling data indicates that parts of central and northern Saskatchewan could see wetter than normal conditions between December and March, and near normal precipitation for the rest of Saskatchewan. Due to minimal runoff in spring 2021 followed by what was generally a hot and dry summer, most agricultural areas of the province are currently experiencing drier than normal moisture conditions. Conditions are driest starting in the central area of the province around Saskatoon and extending in a south westerly direction toward Rosetown, down through Leader and then to the Maple Creek area.

Water Ways' Canadian Subsidiary Order Backlog for 2022 Exceeds CAD$4.1M

Water Ways' Canadian Subsidiary Order Backlog for 2022 Exceeds CAD$4.1M

Water Ways Technologies Inc. (TSXV: WWT) (FRA: WWT) ("Water Ways" or the "Company"), a global provider of Israeli-based agriculture technology, providing water irrigation solutions to agricultural producers announces that the 2022 order backlog of its Canadian subsidiary, Heartnut Grove WWT Inc., based in Mt. Brydges Ontario, exceeded CAD$4.1M as of December 22, 2021. The orders are for agricultural and irrigation supplies and end-user farmers.

Bashaw town council balks at approving revised water commission budget

Bashaw town council balks at approving revised water commission budget

The Town of Bashaw town council wouldn’t approve a revised 2022 budget from the Hwy. #12/21 Water Commission and instead requested representatives to attend council with information. The decision was made at the Dec. 20 regular meeting. Town Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Theresa Fuller provided councillors with a report on the Hwy. #12/21 Water Commission’s revised budget, the original version of which called for no rate increases in 2022.

Here are the highlights of the City of Vaughan's $512.8M operating budget

Here are the highlights of the City of Vaughan's $512.8M operating budget

$179.6M water, wastewater and stormwater budgets fund The city put forward $179.6 million for its water, wastewater and stormwater budgets fund programs and services to ensure Vaughan can deliver clean and safe drinking water, collect wastewater effectively, manage stormwater to mitigate flooding and save for future water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure needs. The approved increase for the combined water and wastewater rate in 2022 is $0.1551 per cubic metre, or 3.3 per cent, versus 2021. The increase for the 2022 stormwater charge is an average of 4.5 per cent versus 2021.

Heat domes, wildfires and flooding: Get prepared now for the next emergency, experts say

Heat domes, wildfires and flooding: Get prepared now for the next emergency, experts say

Jackie Kloosterboer has worked with people caught in emergencies for more than two decades, and time and again she's seen how simple planning could have helped them through the catastrophe. Kloosterboer, who is the City of Vancouver's emergency planner, spent her summer working out of Chilliwack with her staff to help people who were forced to flee due to wildfires. A few months later, she was working out of Abbotsford to help those affected by flooding.

Wetter than normal conditions expected as Sask. WSA releases freeze-up report

Wetter than normal conditions expected as Sask. WSA releases freeze-up report

It could be wetter than normal in the coming months for parts of Saskatchewan. However, Saskatchewan’s Water Security Agency (WSA) said Wednesday that even if there is an above-normal snowpack, the chance of an above-normal runoff is not likely. The agency said that is due to dry conditions at freeze-up. A minimal runoff last spring, followed by a mostly hot and dry summer, has left many agricultural areas of the province with drier than normal conditions. Conditions are driest in the Saskatoon area, extending out to Rosetown, Leader and the Maple Creek area.

COVID-19 levels in wastewater dip in 3 Saskatchewan cities

COVID-19 levels in wastewater dip in 3 Saskatchewan cities

Wastewater samples in Saskatoon have detected the Omicron variant for the first time. The latest samples tested by the Global Institute for Water Security (GIWS) at the University of Saskatchewan show Omicron constitutes 32.8 per cent the overall SARS-CoV-2 viral load in the Saskatoon sample. The GIWS saw 26.2 per cent decrease in evidence of COVID-19 in Saskatoon's wastewater compared to the previous week.

'We are ecstatic': Scugog Island First Nation lifts 13-year drinking water advisory

'We are ecstatic': Scugog Island First Nation lifts 13-year drinking water advisory

A 13-year drinking water advisory has come to an end for those who reside on the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation (MSIFN). With a new communal water system now operational, the Scugog Island First Nation announced Dec. 16 that it was lifting four boil-water advisories and that community members will finally be able to fill their glasses from a tap. The MSIFN experienced periodic boil-water advisories since the early 1990s, which eventually led to a permanent drinking water advisory in 2008. Since 2014, the Scugog Island First Nation has been steadily investing in the improvement of the community’s infrastructure needs to ensure all homes and businesses on Scugog Island have a reliable source of clean drinking water.

Our demand for sand is leading to a sustainability crisis: experts

Our demand for sand is leading to a sustainability crisis: experts

Riverbed sand is preferred for construction materials, but this is where the greatest environmental and local human consequences of mining activities happen, according to the review study. Aggregate extraction of sand from rivers leads to pollution, flooding, lowering of water levels, undrinkable water, worsening drought occurrence, and threats to natural habitats.

Canada and British Columbia invest in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure

Canada and British Columbia invest in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure

Water and wastewater management systems are the backbone of municipalities and First Nations communities. Investments to improve water quality and system efficiency create good local jobs, address the economic challenges brought on by the pandemic and climate-related events, and help build the infrastructure communities need to recover and thrive. Today, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities and the Honourable Josie Osborne, British Columbia’s Minister of Municipal Affairs, announced more than $19.2 million in joint funding for four projects in British Columbia to support drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. The projects will upgrade existing wastewater treatment facilities or construct new drinking water facilities to enhance water capacity, comply with provincial standards, improve surface water quality, and protect the surrounding environment.

Intertribal agency faults Wisconsin review of Line 5 reroute

Intertribal agency faults Wisconsin review of Line 5 reroute

The proposed reroute is expected to cross nearly 200 bodies of water and temporarily affect 55 hectares of wetlands. Enbridge says the nearly 70-year-old pipeline is a vital link to fuel across the region. Wisconsin Public Radio reports that the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, which represents 11 Ojibwe tribes, told the DNR in a Dec. 10 letter that the state’s review has significant gaps in information. The commission says it doesn’t have enough data on the effects an oil spill would have on downstream waters, including Lake Superior. They also say it doesn’t assess compliance with the Bad River tribe’s water quality standards or combined impacts of other projects.

Water worries in West force sports teams to get creative

Water worries in West force sports teams to get creative

The Arizona Diamondbacks ripped out the grass at Chase Field ahead of the 2019 season, replacing it with synthetic grass. It was a business decision, but it also ended up being a water-conservation measure. The Phoenix-based major league baseball team thought it would save 2 million gallons a year. In the first season, the savings were closer to 4.5 million gallons, which is roughly the annual water usage of 49 households in the Phoenix area, according to the Arizona Department of Water Resources.

What Canadian homeowners need to know about flood insurance

What Canadian homeowners need to know about flood insurance

Flooding has surpassed forest fires as the top cause of property damage in Canada in the past several years, costing property owners more than $1 billion in losses each year, according to government figures. Despite the threat, a recent study has revealed that an overwhelming majority of Canadians living in high-risk regions are not only unprepared to deal with the impact of floods, but they are also unaware of the potential danger.

BluMetric Proprietary Cleantech Brings Potable Water to Iqaluit Residents

BluMetric Proprietary Cleantech Brings Potable Water to Iqaluit Residents

BluMetric Environmental Inc. (TSXV: BLM) is committed to providing clean drinking water in emergency situations. On October 12, 2021, Iqaluit declared a state of emergency due to its contaminated water supply. The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) responded on October 23, 2021, by deploying mobile water purification units that were designed and built by BluMetric. These units were successful in providing potable water to local residents. BluMetric's emergency water treatment solution is designed to be deployed in the harshest of environments. It is proven to remove carbon, biological, radioactive and nuclear contaminants and 99.9 per cent of all bacteria and viruses. The treatment system operates within a 20-foot container and is truck, rail, and air portable.

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