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

Victoria plumbers inundated with calls about frozen pipes

Victoria plumbers inundated with calls about frozen pipes

To keep the plumber from your doorstep, Roberts strongly advises people to disconnect hoses from their outside taps and make sure the outside taps are shut off. Hoses should also be disconnected from frost-free outdoor faucets, he said. Isolation valves for backyard piping or irrigation should be shut off inside the house. The B.C. plumbing code says a water main should be 18 inches underground in our climate, said Roberts, but in some cases in older homes, or if someone ran their own irrigation line underground, it may be shallower and could freeze.

From tree maintenance to simple hardware store upgrades, here's what you can do to prepare for climate change

From tree maintenance to simple hardware store upgrades, here's what you can do to prepare for climate change

She said some preparations are as easy as a trip to the hardware store. "Make sure your eavestroughs are clear and your downspouts allow water to flow away from your foundation. Put valuable things or potentially toxic items up on a basement shelf, so they don't get damaged or contaminate water." Lou Di Gironimo, general manager of Toronto Water, says storms have become more severe over the past few decades and the city has invested billions of dollars in flood mitigation programs.

Caretakers of their waterways: Two Nova Scotians granted visionary awards

Caretakers of their waterways: Two Nova Scotians granted visionary awards

As you read this, tom cod are pushing through mud-dark water and gathering in the thousands at the head of the Minas Basin. They are driven blindly through the churning turbid water of the world’s highest tides by some ancient memory we can only understand by contemplating the moments we’ve felt instinct grab hold of our own bones. Waiting for them six days a week in an open aluminum boat are Darren Porter and daughter Erica. They’ll be there hauling and downloading the data from receivers, tagging fish and checking for signs of failed struggle until the ice chokes them off the water in January. “When you’ve spent enough time here you start becoming part of the ecosystem,” said Porter.

Ice volcanoes, steam devils and ice pancakes show up during Okanagan’s deep freeze

Ice volcanoes, steam devils and ice pancakes show up during Okanagan’s deep freeze

Ice volcanoes have formed again along the shores of Okanagan Lake in Penticton. An ice volcano is a conical mound of ice formed over a lake via the eruption of water and slush through an ice shelf. The process is wave-driven, with wind providing the energy for the waves to cut through the ice and form the so-called volcanoes. The liquid water and slush freeze and fall back to the surface, growing the formation.

Japan maps out action plan for disposal of Fukushima water

Japan maps out action plan for disposal of Fukushima water

Japan's government on Tuesday mapped out a plan for releasing contaminated water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea, including compensation standards for local industry and the compilation of a safety assessment report. Japan said in April it would discharge more than 1 million tonnes of contaminated water in stages after treatment and dilution, starting around spring 2023. The announcement provoked concerns from local fishermen and objections from neighbouring China and South Korea.

Iqaluit faced COVID-19, contaminated water and reconciliation in 2021

Iqaluit faced COVID-19, contaminated water and reconciliation in 2021

After about a week of reports in Iqaluit that the city’s water smelled of fuel, and the City of Iqaluit reassuring them it was safe to drink, further testing detected hydrocarbons and led to a two-month state of emergency. As the story developed over two months and national media outlets broadcast clips from Iqaluit, a patchwork system of supports started to materialize. The city and the Government of Nunavut flew bottled water up to the community, monopolizing a big portion of cargo space on incoming flights. Cargo employees worked overtime to offload the large shipments, while volunteers handed it out at pick-up stations and delivered it to homes.

Wastewater samples in Saskatoon show massive increase in the Omicron variant

Wastewater samples in Saskatoon show massive increase in the Omicron variant

Wastewater samples in Saskatoon are seeing a major increase in the Omicron variant since it was detected for the first time in the city last Tuesday. The latest samples tested by the Global Institute for Water Security (GIWS) at the University of Saskatchewan show Omicron constitutes 64.1 per cent the overall COVID-19 viral load in the Saskatoon sample. It is an increase of 808.2 per cent since the variant was first detected in Saskatoon wastewater on Dec. 21. The viral load in Saskatoon's wastewater has increased by 87.7 per cent since then.

A cold war in a hotter world: Canada's intelligence sector confronts climate change

A cold war in a hotter world: Canada's intelligence sector confronts climate change

Since its birth during the Cold War, Canada's spy agency has occupied itself with three primary threats: terrorism, espionage and foreign interference in domestic politics and business. Now, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service is pointing to a disruptive new player on the field: climate change. CSIS says it's trying to get a handle on how climate change will disrupt national security. It has even acknowledged that effort publicly — something intelligence agencies rarely do. "This is something that will absolutely have profound impacts on Canadians and it will have impacts on our national security. I think it's important that we are going to be in that space," Tricia Geddes, deputy director for policy at CSIS, told an intelligence conference last month.

Canada aims to plant up to 320 million trees a year to meet two billion target

Canada aims to plant up to 320 million trees a year to meet two billion target

The federal government’s plan to plant up to 320 million trees a year to meet the prime minister’s target to put an extra two billion trees in the ground by 2030 has been met with sharp criticism from opposition members including the New Democrat’s natural resources critic, Charlie Angus (NDP — Timmins-James Bay). Marie-Claude Bibeau, minister of agriculture and agri-food, said the national tree planting program “will engage farms groups across the country and help farmers manage soil erosion, improve water management, provide habitat for pollinators and other wildlife, and shelter for livestock.”

‘There’s no more time’: green light needed for swift movement on blue economy, says Sen. Galvez

‘There’s no more time’: green light needed for swift movement on blue economy, says Sen. Galvez

While some experts say the government is doing a good job harnessing the economic potential of the so-called blue economy, there’s also room to grow in an important file that impacts diverse and marginalized communities. The “blue economy” is an “economy driven by sustainable, ocean resources, and accounts,” according to the federal government, and refers the ways in which oceans and water “can contribute to the economy in a sustainable way,” Hannah Kacary wrote for the Environmental Careers Organization (ECO) of Canada.

Town of Westlock hopes to combat massive water loss with new cellular detection system

Town of Westlock hopes to combat massive water loss with new cellular detection system

The Town of Westlock is banking on an $80,000 water distribution leak detection system to curtail the $270,000-plus it spent this year on water that never made it to residents’ taps. In 2021, the town lost 20 per cent of all the potable water it paid for from the regional water commission — $276,270 that, in essence, flowed into the ground. In a Dec. 20 interview, CAO Simone Wiley said the 20 per cent figure is an overall number, which counts everything from line leaks and breaks, to fighting fires and flushing hydrants — any water that isn’t metered. For example, the loss percentage spiked at 27.9 in January 2021 due to a handful of water main breaks and the massive Commerce Building fire, but sat at only 15 per cent in July.

Waterspouts dance on lake

Waterspouts dance on lake

The bone-chilling temperatures in the Okanagan are resulting in interesting cloud formations over the lake. Kevin Blakely captured a photo from his home in Lake Country of a waterspout dancing on Okanagan Lake Monday morning. Jordan Hagloff took his own photo from West Kelowna on Boxing Day of a similar phenomenon. Waterspouts on Okanagan Lake are not unusual when temperatures plummet.

100 homes in Fort McKay under boil-water advisory after pipe leak

100 homes in Fort McKay under boil-water advisory after pipe leak

About 100 homes in Fort McKay, Alta., are under a boil-water advisory after a water-line break caused the northern community's water distribution system to lose pressure. Residents didn't have access to water for part of Sunday. Alberta Health Services (AHS) and Indigenous Services Canada issued boil-water advisories, with AHS describing the issue as a water-line break.

2021 capital projects a highlight for Tisdale’s mayor

2021 capital projects a highlight for Tisdale’s mayor

The lagoon project involved adding a new sewer lift station, new lagoon cell and a new pipe out to the lagoon. The town previously received funding for the project through the New Building Canada Small Community Fund in 2018, which covered two-thirds of the cost. In 2019, the town took out $1.2 million in loans to pay for their share of the project. Water line replacements were another highlight, with 97th Street between 103rd Avenue and 105th Avenue replaced, totalling $135 thousand.

Eight new substances added to U.S. carcinogen report

Eight new substances added to U.S. carcinogen report

In the latest report, chronic infection with the bacterium known as Helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori, has been listed as known to be a human carcinogen. H. pylori is a spiral bacteria that can enter the body through food, water or utensils, lives in the digestive tract and is behind most stomach ulcers. It is thought to penetrate the mucous lining of the stomach to establish infection and can lead to stomach cancer. It is more commonly found in countries with less established infrastructures surrounding clean water and sewage systems, but spread from one person to another is possible through saliva or other bodily fluids.

Kayakers deliver supplies to farm cut off by floods in Chilliwack, B.C.

Kayakers deliver supplies to farm cut off by floods in Chilliwack, B.C.

A nimble fleet of kayakers has been delivering goods to a farm near Chilliwack, B.C., ever since the floods cut off road access in mid-November. Suzy Coulter, whose farm is south of Chilliwack, ended up getting cut off from the main road after the massive storms of Nov. 15 and 16. Coulter said the road was "completely eaten" by the surging Chilliwack River and the only road access left for the farm is a forest service road at the top of a steep hill.

Manitoba Hydro electricity rates going up 3.6% starting in new year

Manitoba Hydro electricity rates going up 3.6% starting in new year

Manitoba Hydro's wish for a five per cent electricity rate increase did not come true this year. The Public Utilities Board, which oversees utilities, approved a 3.6 per cent interim rate increase beginning Jan. 1, 2022. The increase expires Nov. 15, 2022, barring a subsequent successful rate hike application by Manitoba Hydro. "This increase recognizes the financial consequences of the drought experienced in Manitoba in 2021 and the board's objective to avoid rate shock by smoothing the rate increases to customers required to address the costs of major capital projects entering service," the board wrote in a press release.

Cape Breton man frustrated about conditions of Victoria County road

Cape Breton man frustrated about conditions of Victoria County road

A Victoria County resident is speaking out about a road in his area that he said has been washed out since late November. David Stirling, 68, of New Campbellton spoke to the Cape Breton Post about the “ongoing” poor state of New Campbellton road, a 13-kilometre (km) stretch at the base of Kellys Mountain that he said is filled with potholes. “It’s been washed out since the 24th of November,” said Stirling. “It has two culverts running underneath the road and when they plug up, the water runs over top of the road. And of course gravel and water don’t get along together. Needless to say, the water wins and the gravel takes a hike.”

Yukon family displaced by historic floods back at home in time for Christmas

Yukon family displaced by historic floods back at home in time for Christmas

Florian Lemphers is unpacking his moving boxes at the same time as his Christmas gifts this year. Lemphers, his wife Andrea and their two dogs, canoed out of their front yard in Shallow Bay, Yukon, on July 13, after water from the usually-distant bay breached the berm set up to protect their home. Volunteers came from all over the territory to set up sandbags to try to keep the water at bay — but still, they were forced to leave and stay out for months.

Approval of $8B settlement in First Nations' drinking water class action a 'historic moment': Manitoba chief

Approval of $8B settlement in First Nations' drinking water class action a 'historic moment': Manitoba chief

Thousands of people who have been affected by years-long drinking water advisories could see compensation, after courts approved an $8-billion class-action settlement in what one chief called a "historic moment" for First Nations in Canada. Canada's Federal Court and Manitoba's Court of Queen's Bench issued a joint decision Wednesday approving the settlement in two national class-action lawsuits launched against the federal government by First Nations living under drinking water advisories.

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