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

Iqaluit says trace amounts of fuel found in drinking water again

Iqaluit says trace amounts of fuel found in drinking water again

The City of Iqaluit says trace amounts of fuel have been detected in the Nunavut capital’s water supply. The city says an initial review of data from its real-time monitoring station indicates fuel entered the water on Monday and Wednesday. It says there have been no measurements above low-alarm thresholds, but the city is proactively opening distribution valves to flush the water. The city had already confirmed it was investigating after residents complained they could smell fuel in their tap water again.

Walkerton, Ont.-based water training facility trains 100,000 Ontarians

Walkerton, Ont.-based water training facility trains 100,000 Ontarians

It’s hard to think of Walkerton, Ont. without thinking about drinking water. The Bruce County community made international headlines when seven people were killed and thousands fell ill after drinking the town’s E. coli tainted water in May 2000. In the wake of that tragedy, the Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) was built in 2004 to help change the town’s image from one of infamy to excellence, by providing world-class training and research to drinking water operators across the province.

Youth Poster Contest – Water as a Human Right For All

Youth Poster Contest – Water as a Human Right For All

Following in the footsteps of Autumn Peltier, Canada’s Chief Water Commissioner who is leading the way for future generations, the OPSEU/SEFPO Indigenous Circle’s Water Campaign Committee is looking for youth to express their concerns over the ongoing water crisis in Ontario and across Canada. Are you between the ages of 4-25 years old? Do you like to draw and express yourself through artistic medium? Then, this contest is for you!

Human Rights Watch report cites Canadian shortcomings on Indigenous, climate issues

Human Rights Watch report cites Canadian shortcomings on Indigenous, climate issues

It says inadequate access to clean drinking water continues to pose a major health threat which continues to impede the advancement of Indigenous rights in Canada, "one of the world's most water-rich countries." The report also says Canada is a top G7 greenhouse gas emitter, and says it is the world's top financier of fossil fuel producers. "Canada is contributing to the climate crisis taking a growing toll on human rights around the globe," the report says.

Two U of L researchers appointed to Canada Research Chair for water and agriculture

Two U of L researchers appointed to Canada Research Chair for water and agriculture

Two University of Lethbridge researchers have been appointed to the Canada Research Chair to help with their expertise in water and agriculture. Dr. Jean-Denys Hamel and Dr. Steve Wiseman were both appointed by the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry Wednesday. Dr. Hamel, an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, has been appointed a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Organofluorine Chemistry and Catalysis.

Year later, Flint water criminal cases move slowly in court

Year later, Flint water criminal cases move slowly in court

A year after unprecedented charges against a former Michigan governor, the Flint water prosecution of Rick Snyder and eight others is moving slowly, bogged down by disputes over millions of documents and even whether some cases were filed in the proper court. Snyder, a Republican, is charged with willful neglect of duty arising from decisions to switch Flint's water supply to the Flint River in 2014-15 without treating it to reduce the corrosive effect on aging urban pipes. Lead contaminated the system, a disastrous result in the majority Black community.

UWaterloo opens new aquatic threats research facility to study the impact of climate change on fish stress

UWaterloo opens new aquatic threats research facility to study the impact of climate change on fish stress

Fish have a lot to stress about right now. This could mean serious problems for the future of aquaculture and the fish on your plate. The new Waterloo Aquatic Threats in Environmental Research (WATER) facility at the University of Waterloo aims to simulate and research aquatic stressors and threats so that we are better prepared to prevent current and future problems.

City of Thunder Bay ramps up wastewater COVID testing as cases rise

City of Thunder Bay ramps up wastewater COVID testing as cases rise

The City of Thunder Bay is increasing its rate of testing wastewater for COVID-19 as cases of the virus in the community climb. Thunder Bay is one of a number of municipalities in the province submitting wastewater samples to labs for analysis. Water samples taken taken at the Thunder Bay's municipal pollution control plant go to the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research at the University of Windsor.

B.C.'s South Coast bracing for atmospheric river with up to 100 mm of rain possible

B.C.'s South Coast bracing for atmospheric river with up to 100 mm of rain possible

Environment Canada has issued another weather warning for the South Coast of British Columbia. An atmospheric river event is expected to melt weeks' worth of snow at a rapid rate which could trigger localized flooding. However, weeks worth of built up snow and ice is expected to melt aggressively which could cause washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts. “The rainfall itself you know this would probably show up as being a fairly run-of-the-mill moderate storm event that we’ve seen a half dozen times or more this season,” said Dave Campbell, of the River Forecast Centre. Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads, so drivers are being urged to slow down and drive for the conditions.

Squamish braces for heavy rainfall and rising water

Squamish braces for heavy rainfall and rising water

Warmer temperatures and heavy rainfall are expected for Squamish, prompting the municipality to brace itself for another series of rising water events. Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning for Howe Sound. Rainfall of between 75 to 100 mm is expected between Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon. "Rising freezing levels with melting snow giving rise to high stream flows and localized flooding," the alert reads.

Newest waste water data indicates explosion in COVID viral load in North Battleford, Prince Albert

Newest waste water data indicates explosion in COVID viral load in North Battleford, Prince Albert

The University of Saskatchewan's waste water statistics have been updated, and they show a huge rise in COVID-19 viral load in each of the three cities it monitors: Saskatoon, North Battleford and Prince Albert. Saskatoon's numbers were up 172 per cent, based on averages of two individual daily measurements in this reporting period, which went up to Jan. 2, according to the University of Saskatchewan's reporting on its website.

Power pole's incredible journey a sobering reminder of B.C.'s devastating floods

Power pole's incredible journey a sobering reminder of B.C.'s devastating floods

A B.C. Hydro power pole from the Interior of the province has washed up hundreds of kilometres away on the rocks of Boundary Bay in Tsawwassen, providing a sobering reminder of the catastrophic flooding that devastated parts of British Columbia two months ago . The pole was spotted on the beach by an off-duty B.C. Hydro employee on Christmas Day.

Should there be a public inquiry into Iqaluit's water crisis? The GN doesn't think so

Should there be a public inquiry into Iqaluit's water crisis? The GN doesn't think so

On the campaign trail ahead of Nunavut's territorial election, Iqaluit-Manirajak MLA Adam Arreak Lightstone took aim at the territorial government's response to Iqaluit's water crisis. "I'd like to ask all my fellow Iqalummiut, MLAs, candidates, to join me in supporting the creation of a special standing committee with the objective of reviewing the government's roles and responsibilities and overall response to the water crisis that we're all in," he said at an all-candidates forum at the Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre on Oct. 18.

Omicron was in Nova Scotia wastewater before it was identified in South Africa

Omicron was in Nova Scotia wastewater before it was identified in South Africa

New data from researchers at Dalhousie University show that Omicron was in Nova Scotia wastewater weeks before it was identified by the province — and even before the new COVID-19 variant was reported by South Africa. Graham Gagnon, professor, and director of the Centre for Water Resource Studies confirmed in an email that: “Our team detected Omicron , retrospectively, in Nova Scotia wastewater in mid-November and will be able to provide further information in the future.”

SGI Canada reminds residents to prevent ice dams, condensation this winter

SGI Canada reminds residents to prevent ice dams, condensation this winter

With temperatures fluctuating from cold to mild over the past few days, Saskatchewan residents are being reminded to watch out for ice dams on their property. SGI Canada says the freeze-thaw cycle during the winter months creates ideal conditions for condensation and ice damming. The results can cause damage to walls, ceilings and insulation, not to mention it can lead to mould issues down the road.

Fluoride to be added back in to Windsor, Tecumseh, LaSalle water systems Wednesday

Fluoride to be added back in to Windsor, Tecumseh, LaSalle water systems Wednesday

After years without fluoride, parts of Windsor-Essex will have the mineral added back into drinking water systems Wednesday. This week, residents in Windsor, Tecumseh and LaSalle will have fluoride flowing into their water systems for the first time since 2013. Fluoride had been added to the water in Windsor for decades, but in 2013, city councillors voted to discontinue its use.

Report casts doubt on City of Iqaluit’s water contamination theory

Report casts doubt on City of Iqaluit’s water contamination theory

Iqaluit’s water emergency is over, but it’s still going to take months of work to safeguard the city’s water treatment plant from possible future contamination, according to a risk assessment prepared by a consultancy firm hired by the Government of Nunavut. The territorial government hired Wood Environmental and Infrastructure Solutions in late October to review work done by the city’s hired consultancy firm, WSP Canada, after fuel contaminated the city’s water late last year. The six-page report, prepared by Wood, was obtained by Nunatsiaq News through Nunavut’s access to information law.

Prepare for heavy rain combined with snowmelt

Prepare for heavy rain combined with snowmelt

Protect your home: Protect your home from potential floods by clearing out gutters, maintaining perimeter drains, making sure downspouts are far enough away from your residence and checking that nearby stormwater drains on your street are free of leaves and blockage. Sandbags also help and can be available by local government. Store valuables and important items or documents in water-tight containers or in higher places, such as on a tall shelf or upper floor.

Flood warnings for Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island with heavy rain, rising temperatures in forecast

Flood warnings for Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island with heavy rain, rising temperatures in forecast

The agency that monitors British Columbia's waterways is warning of "minor to significant flooding" in B.C.'s Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island as warming temperatures and persistent rain melt heavy snow. The River Forecast Centre says in a high stream-flow advisory that a significant weather pattern change will occur this week and cause rapid rises in creeks and rivers, especially at low and mid-elevation watersheds on the coast.

Climate disasters and warming heighten urgency of city's water conservation efforts

Climate disasters and warming heighten urgency of city's water conservation efforts

It’s sheer coincidence last summer’s severe Prairie drought and climate change-related disasters in B.C. immediately preceded a major review of Calgary’s water management policies, says the person leading it. But those realities only make the assessment of the city’s drought management practices more urgent and will colour its conduct, said Harpreet Sandhu, the city’s watershed strategy leader.

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