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

GoAigua and WatSyn Solutions Join Forces to Help Canadian Water and Wastewater Utilities Unify Digital Infrastructure

GoAigua and WatSyn Solutions Join Forces to Help Canadian Water and Wastewater Utilities Unify Digital Infrastructure

GoAigua Inc., a smart water technology company, and WatSyn Solutions Inc., a trusted digital solutions provider, recently announced a strategic partnership to help utilities in Canada advance digital transformation. GoAigua’s proven software and analytics platform delivers full connectivity across utilities, simplifying the path to digital transformation. GoAigua eliminates silos of information from SCADA, GIS, ERP, AMI/AMR, CMMS, IoT Sensors, and more – providing a holistic, real-time view of the status of processes and infrastructure. With advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, utilities can identify and reduce non-revenue water, plan for capital expenditures, improve operational efficiency, and ensure high levels of customer satisfaction. GoAigua offers predictive, actionable data insights, and one of the world’s first fully operational Digital Twins.

City sets up water station after fuel smell returns to Iqaluit’s water

City sets up water station after fuel smell returns to Iqaluit’s water

The City of Iqaluit is distributing water from Sylvia Grinnell River Monday in response to complaints that the smell of fuel has returned to the city’s treated water. The water depot will be open from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Elders Qammaq, according to a news release issued by recreation director Stephanie Clark. The city is asking residents bring refillable containers, and to boil the water before drinking it or cooking with it.

Kawartha Lakes to investigate Woodville water capacity

Kawartha Lakes to investigate Woodville water capacity

The City of Kawartha Lakes is looking for some clarity on the village of Woodville’s future capacity for expansion. At a Committee of the Whole meeting, on Tuesday, January 11th, councillors voted to have city staff create a report for council, regarding “an update on water service capacity of the existing system in the Village of Woodville.” The motion, brought forward as a memorandum from Ward 4 Councillor Andrew Veale, also stated, the report should include information on “existing capacity availability for future development, and the feasibility of service expansion, including existing test well capabilities and use.”

Iqaluit water treatment plant shut down over fuel contamination

Iqaluit water treatment plant shut down over fuel contamination

The City of Iqaluit shut down its water treatment plant Wednesday after the water was contaminated last week with fuel for the second time. The city said a breach in the system is suspected to have caused residents to smell fuel in their water, with breaches detected last week and Wednesday. The city said it is using a bypass system to pump water to residents instead and the entire territorial capital is now under a precautionary boil water advisory.

Upgrades to water treatment facility and new lights: Kelowna City Council briefs

Upgrades to water treatment facility and new lights: Kelowna City Council briefs

Kelowna council has given the nod to replace a transformer at the Trade Waste Treatment Facility at Ethel Street and Weddell Place. A staff report indicates it has exceeded its life span and is showing signs of imminent failure. It provides wastewater and pre-treatment for the fruit and wine effluent from SunRype and Andrew Peller Ltd. The facility is owned and operated on behalf of the two companies. Council ok’d that the 2022 Financial Plan be amended to include $400,000 for the replacement. With $100,000 coming from the Wastewater Utility and $300,000 from SunRype and Andrew Peller Ltd.

Families looking to rebuild flooded Abbotsford homes disheartened after being denied bank loans

Families looking to rebuild flooded Abbotsford homes disheartened after being denied bank loans

Several families living in Abbotsford's Sumas Prairie have been denied bank loans they were counting on to help rebuild their damaged homes following November's devastating floods. A number of affected homeowners who spoke to CBC News say they've been told by their banks or credit unions their loan applications — home equity, mortgage refinancing and new lines of credit — have been declined or put on hold with no clear timeline because they cannot get their properties appraised. The organization representing Canada's appraisers says they take their direction from the banks.

'Hard pill to swallow': $2 billion in climate change damage the 'new normal'

'Hard pill to swallow': $2 billion in climate change damage the 'new normal'

Severe weather led to $2.1 billion in insured damages in 2021, making it the sixth costliest year in Canada's history, says the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC). In tallying the cost, the national insurance organization said climate change is already showing just how expensive a world-dominated catastrophe will be. Last year, the most expensive single event occurred in November when an atmospheric river triggered widespread flooding across southern British Columbia and led to $515 million in claims.

In wealthy LA enclave, harsher penalties for wasting water

In wealthy LA enclave, harsher penalties for wasting water

In a wealthy enclave along the Santa Monica Mountains that is a haven for celebrities, residents are now facing more aggressive consequences for wasting water. The Las Virgenes Municipal Water District northwest of Los Angeles hopes to spur water savings by making it easier to fine households that go over their allotted “water budgets" and threatening to vastly limit water flow to customers who repeatedly fail to conserve.

Global Water Testing and Analysis Market to Reach US$4.3 Billion by the Year 2026

Global Water Testing and Analysis Market to Reach US$4.3 Billion by the Year 2026

Global Water Testing and Analysis Market to Reach US$4. 3 Billion by the Year 2026 . Water testing is extensively used in diverse industries globally for ensuring compliance to regulatory guidelines and maintaining public safety. Growth in the global market is attributed to increasing water pollution and the pressing need to ensure quality water for human use and industrial applications. Expanding global population and the subsequent focus on industrialization coupled with the growing demand from agricultural sector are expected to fuel growth in the market. Governments funding towards water pollution monitoring and control is expected to provide a significant push to the market. Global demand for these systems is also fueled by the need for clean water for personal hygiene and food preparation.

Canada, Saskatchewan governments extend application deadline for livestock water projects

Canada, Saskatchewan governments extend application deadline for livestock water projects

The deadline has been extended for livestock producers wanting to apply to the Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program. The announcement for the temporary enhanced funding came Tuesday from the Canadian and Saskatchewan governments. In a release, the provincial government acknowledged that producers have experienced difficulties in sourcing materials and contractors to build water development projects following 2021’s drought conditions. The program is now adjusted to allow producers who plan to claim more than $50,000 in rebates to submit a preliminary application by Mar. 31, 2022 in order to complete their projects.

Drinking water needs to be better monitored following heavy storms, report says Author of the article:

Drinking water needs to be better monitored following heavy storms, report says Author of the article:

Heavy storms don’t automatically create a greater risk to drinking water for residents in the Great Lakes region, but increased monitoring and better co- ordinated health data collection is needed, according to a report released by the International Joint Commission. The IJC is a binational government body assigned to tackle issues of concern on shared waterways between the two countries. Health professionals assigned by the IJC first began looking at data in connection with drinking water back in 2015 and determined that heavy storms — increasing in numbers due to climate change — warranted a closer look.

Latest COVID-19 wastewater study shows sharp increases across Sask.

Latest COVID-19 wastewater study shows sharp increases across Sask.

The latest information from researchers at the University of Saskatchewan and University of Regina shows that evidence of COVID-19 continues to increase in wastewater samples. On Monday, researchers at USask's Global Institute for Water Security said samples showed a 810.9 per cent increase in viral RNA load in Prince Albert compared to the previous week.

3 children dead in house fire in Sandy Lake First Nation in Ontario

3 children dead in house fire in Sandy Lake First Nation in Ontario

The statement said firefighters, police and community members acted quickly to try to help but the house was already engulfed in flames. Only one water truck was available to feed the fire truck, according to the statement, along with a lack of adequate water lines and infrastructure preventing the use of fire hydrants. "Our volunteers did all they could do with what they had," Chief Delores Kakegamic said in a statement. "We should have the same level of support as anyone else in Canada. Lives are at stake." The Office of the Fire Marshal, along with the Ontario Coroner's Office and Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, are investigating the fire. Sandy Lake is roughly 600 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay.

Iqaluit seeks alternative water source after recurrence of fuel odour issue

Iqaluit seeks alternative water source after recurrence of fuel odour issue

The City of Iqaluit says it is working to find an alternative source of drinking water following a recurrence of fuel odours in its municipal water distribution system. In an update posted to social media on Sunday, the city says the water that's been tested remains safe under Canadian guidelines. But it says it recognizes that residents may be uncomfortable consuming or using tap water that has residual odours of fuel, which is why it says it's working to provide an alternative source for affected residents "as quickly as possible."

Expert says Vancouver storm damage a climate change 'wake-up call'

Expert says Vancouver storm damage a climate change 'wake-up call'

The damage sustained to Vancouver’s scenic seawall during a storm last week could be a sign of things to come as sea levels continue to rise due to climate change. “We know that we are vulnerable,” Ian Stewart of the Vancouver Park Board told CTV National News. “We are looking at… long-term solutions.” During a fierce Jan. 7 storm, high winds and extreme tides battered the popular Stanley Park Seawall, transforming sections into rubble. Littered with upturned and broken chunks of concrete and debris, much of it remains dangerous and off-limits to visitors, robbing the city of part of what is supposed to be the world’s longest uninterrupted waterfront path.

Nunavut government confirms fuel found in Iqaluit water supply again

Nunavut government confirms fuel found in Iqaluit water supply again

The Nunavut government has confirmed that traces of fuel have been found in Iqaluit's water supply, again. Danarae Sommerville, a spokesperson for the territory's Department of Health, stated in a media release that there "were levels of fuel oil that entered the system." However, the release adds that levels are below Health Canada's drinking water values. Even so, a do-not-consume order has not been issued.

Province's new interactive flood-predicting map 'basic' but valuable, says advocate

Province's new interactive flood-predicting map 'basic' but valuable, says advocate

New Brunswickers can now zoom in to a visual image of their homes, neighbourhoods and communities to see how likely it is that climate change will create a risk of flooding over the next several decades. The provincial government has released a new interactive provincial flood map showing different river and coastal flooding scenarios for today and for 2100.

Boil water advisory extended for Chippewas of the Thames, Munsee-Delaware

Boil water advisory extended for Chippewas of the Thames, Munsee-Delaware

Residents in Chippewas of the Thames First Nation near London, Ont., as well as a number of people and businesses in Munsee-Delaware Nation, continue to be under a boil advisory that’s been in effect since last month. The precautionary boil water advisory was first issued on Dec. 14, 2021, and asked residents to conserve their water usage. On Thursday, officials with Chippewas of the Thames announced the advisory is being extended “until further notice” and will impact all of its residents, along with “29 properties and 6 commercial businesses” in Munsee-Delaware.

Wastewater testing shows COVID-19 may be 'starting to plateau' in Kitchener and Cambridge

Wastewater testing shows COVID-19 may be 'starting to plateau' in Kitchener and Cambridge

Wastewater testing in the Region of Waterloo shows the Omicron variant of COVID-19 has pushed infection levels to more than 10 times higher than ever before but there are early indications that infections may be starting to level off. Thursday's data published by the Region of Waterloo contains the first sign of hope for a slowing down of infection during the latest wave of the pandemic.

There's something in the water: Edmonton's COVID-19 sewage is vast

There's something in the water: Edmonton's COVID-19 sewage is vast

The level of COVID-19 indicators in Edmonton wastewater has soared well above where it was in any other wave of the pandemic but experts say it’s too soon to predict whether this wave has peaked and how bad the increased pressure from the Omicron variant could get on the province’s health-care system. According to data collected by researchers from the University of Alberta and University of Calgary, the level of COVID-19 viral RNA in wastewater at the Edmonton testing site jumped to 595.7 copies per 100 ml by Jan. 3 from 153.9 copies per 100 ml on Dec. 28. The most recent number from Jan. 12 sits at 525.7.

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