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

Wastewater study shows COVID trending down in Saskatoon, increasing in Prince Albert and North Battleford

Wastewater study shows COVID trending down in Saskatoon, increasing in Prince Albert and North Battleford

Analysis of Saskatoon's wastewater reveals the city has likely passed the peak of the pandemic's fifth wave which saw the highly transmissible Omicron variant infect thousands of people each week and push COVID-19 hospitalizations to record-breaking highs across the province. "The concentrations of virus are still greater than they ever were during the fourth wave. After bouncing around a bit, they are trending downward," said John Giesy, a University of Saskatchewan professor and principal investigator for Global Water Futures.

Proposal for gold and copper mine on First Nation's territory rejected for 3rd time by B.C. government

Proposal for gold and copper mine on First Nation's territory rejected for 3rd time by B.C. government

The British Columbia government says a proposed copper and gold mine on a First Nation's territory will not be given an environmental assessment certificate, citing potential risks to water quality and fish. In a news release, the government said Monday it has rejected the open-pit copper, gold and molybdenum Morrison mine located about 65 kilometres northeast of Smithers, B.C., which was expected to produce 30,000 tonnes of ore per day over a 21-year period.

How gold nanoparticles can be used to quickly test drinking water for bacteria

How gold nanoparticles can be used to quickly test drinking water for bacteria

A group of researchers at a Nova Scotia university, in partnership with international colleagues, have developed a test to rapidly detect bacteria contamination in drinking water by using gold nanoparticles, antibiotics and light. The technology devised by St. Francis Xavier University researchers is simpler and faster than other laboratory methods of finding bacteria in water, some of which take up to 18 hours and involve many more steps.

Canada Water Agency task force releases report based on community feedback

Canada Water Agency task force releases report based on community feedback

The city-led task force responsible for pitching Sault Ste. Marie as the future headquarters for the forthcoming Canada Water Agency has released its findings following a months-long process of community engagement. The report, which is now live on the task force’s website, is the result of 10 in-person and virtual community discussions held between August and December of last year that were facilitated by Lake Huron North Program Coordinator Dr. Elaine Ho-Tassone. More than 200 participants - drawn from local organizations, the Indigenous community, youth and the general public - provided their perspectives for the report.

WSA releases preliminary spring runoff forecast for Saskatchewan

WSA releases preliminary spring runoff forecast for Saskatchewan

A preliminary report from the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency (WSA) states the spring melt rate is expected to have a significant impact on runoff yields in southern areas of the province. How that impacts subsoil moisture levels or surface water supplies depends on the speed of the melt, the report states. Most southern regions experienced very dry conditions last summer and into the fall freeze-up, and a below snowmelt runoff potential is being forecast by the WSA.

Trees come down for flood mitigation project in Sydney's Baille Ard Trail

Trees come down for flood mitigation project in Sydney's Baille Ard Trail

Cape Breton Regional Municipality is starting to take down some trees in Sydney's only urban forest as part of a flood mitigation project, but not everyone is convinced it will work. Contractors started knocking down trees on Monday, using a giant mechanical mulcher to clear a service road into the 28-hectare Baille Ard Trail system. Even though John Duffy lives in the flood zone created by the Wash Brook that runs through the forest, he said he is "disappointed and heartbroken. Anytime we lose any natural forestation, I think this is a terrible thing."

BBGI invests in InPower BC

BBGI invests in InPower BC

BBGI Global Infrastructure S.A. has completed an investment in InPower BC General Partnership, the entity responsible for delivering the John Hart Generating Station Replacement Project in Canada. The company said it made the CA$41 million investment through its existing strategic partnership with SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. The public-private partnership project consisted of the design, construction, financing, maintenance and rehabilitation of a new three-turbine, 132MW hydroelectric power generation station on the Campbell River, British Columbia, including a three generating unit underground powerhouse, 2.1 km of water passage tunnels and a water bypass system to protect downstream fish habitat. The new infrastructure replaces the outdated above ground facilities which were built in 1947 with a more reliable, seismically robust and environmentally friendly facility. The project is Canada's first public-private partnership project in the hydropower sector.

Great Lakes Ballast Water

Great Lakes Ballast Water

The Federal Maritime Commission is seeking more information as it investigates the potential impact of Canadian environmental regulations on U.S. shipping companies operating in the Great Lakes. Nearly two years ago, the Lake Carriers’ Association filed a complaint with the commission that Canadian rules for ballast water would harm their operations. The trade association wanted to slap a $300,000 fee on any Canadian vessel entering a U.S. port. Ballast water helps ships balance their loads. But it can also transfer invasive species between water bodies. The commission wants more information on how the finalized Canadian regulations might affect U.S. ships.

Winter snowfall has water officials pondering a 180 degree turn of events for 2022

Winter snowfall has water officials pondering a 180 degree turn of events for 2022

Officials with the Pembina Valley Water Co-op (PVWC) are cautiously optimistic this winter's snowfall will replenish the region's water supply after the summer drought. Persistently dry and hot conditions this past summer led the PVWC and its 14 member municipalities to declare a State of Drought Emergency due to low water levels on the Red River.. The state of emergency was in effect from July 28th until the end of October.

Wastewater testing shows Omicron subvariant circulating in Waterloo region

Wastewater testing shows Omicron subvariant circulating in Waterloo region

The University of Waterloo's wastewater monitoring shows an Omicron subvariant has been detected in Waterloo region. The BA.2 subvariant appears to be even more transmissible than the original Omicron mutation of COVID-19, says Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, medical officer of health for the Region of Waterloo, but there's no evidence that it is a more severe mutation. The samples came from the water treatment plant in the City of Waterloo on Jan. 4 and 9 and from the University of Waterloo water treatment plant on Jan. 18, researcher Meghan Fuzzen told CBC Kitchener-Waterloo. They were independently confirmed by two different out-of-province labs.

Summerland staff to consider water fill and cooling station options

Summerland staff to consider water fill and cooling station options

Summerland will be looking at options for water fill and cooling stations for the community in the event of another extreme summer heat event. At the Summerland council meeting on Jan. 24, Coun. Erin Trainer presented a motion asking for $25,000 to be allocated from the Asset Management Reserve for the purchase of two portable water fill stations and two portable shade tents, and also for staff to research options for a permanent water fill station in Memorial Park.

Ontario Takes Further Action to Protect the Great Lakes

Ontario Takes Further Action to Protect the Great Lakes

The Ontario government is supporting projects that help communities protect and improve the health of the Great Lakes by investing an additional $1.9 million in the Great Lakes Local Action Fund. “We all have a role to play in protecting and restoring the Great Lakes, and through the Great Lakes Local Action Fund, communities and local organizations can apply for funding to take environmental action right in their own backyards,” said David Piccini, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “Following the success of our first round of funding, our government is proud to support more local projects to protect, conserve, and restore the Great Lakes and their watersheds for future generations.”

Many B.C. residents struggling as flood relief funds are slow to come

Many B.C. residents struggling as flood relief funds are slow to come

Just off the TransCanada Highway in Abbotsford, B.C., dozens of businesses and hundreds of homes were destroyed in the devastating flooding from late last year and have not yet received any financial assistance. At the peak of the emergency, nearly 15,000 people fled their homes as floodwaters shut down major highways and destroyed vast farmland. “You know everybody’s got similar stories, traumatic stories,” Arthur Deleeuw, a victim of the floods, told CTV National News.

Hydro can pump up power

Hydro can pump up power

The agency that represents Ontario’s water-power producers says they could add another 5,000 megawatts to the provincial power grid through a combination of new plant construction and operational efficiencies made at existing stations. “We’ll know more once we have completed a technical study,” said Paul Norris, the president of the Ontario Waterpower Association, on Tuesday.

EXPLAINER: How to stage Olympics in a snow-challenged city

EXPLAINER: How to stage Olympics in a snow-challenged city

Dry Beijing barely gets any winter precipitation, making this year's Winter Games the first to rely almost entirely on artificial snow. Organizers are touting the event's green credentials, but experts do worry about the environmental impact of such a massive snowmaking operation given the huge amounts of water and electricity it takes. At Yanqing north of Beijing, where organizers built the alpine ski venue from scratch, the slopes stand out as ribbons of white contrasting starkly against the surrounding brown hillsides. Snowmakers have also been deployed farther north in Zhangjiakou, which is hosting freestyle skiing, ski jumping and biathlon.

Canadian Mine Waste Is Crossing Borders and Facing International Backlash

Canadian Mine Waste Is Crossing Borders and Facing International Backlash

In the bitter cold winter of 2017, British Columbia’s minister of energy and mines discovered that someone had staked a mining claim in his actual backyard. The request had come without notice or warning. If approved, it would allow the people behind it to pan for precious minerals in streambeds on his Cranbrook, B.C., property, less than 50 miles north of the U.S. border.

CORRECTION: Forward Water Technologies Announces Definitive Agreement with Membracon UK

CORRECTION: Forward Water Technologies Announces Definitive Agreement with Membracon UK

Forward Water Technologies Corp. (“Forward Water” or the “Company“) (TSXV:FWTC) is pleased to announce an amendment to the signing of a non-binding letter of intent and announce that the Company has signed and entered into a definitive agreement dated February 3rd, 2022 with Membracon (UK) Ltd. (“Membracon“) that outlines the terms of their joint venture. The joint venture will be resourced by both Membracon and Forward Water and will be responsible for delivery of Forward Water’s proprietary forward osmosis processes and solutions within the United Kingdom and Ireland. Matt Williams, Managing Director for Membracon said,” The addition of Forward Water’s FO technology to the Membracon water treatment portfolio allows us to better serve our client base and provide unique and highly effective solutions for their challenging water management needs.”

The Labrador Sea keeps the world's oceans alive. Scientists are now closer to understanding how

The Labrador Sea keeps the world's oceans alive. Scientists are now closer to understanding how

Canadian and German scientists say they have measured the flow of oxygen in and out of the deep ocean in the Labrador Sea for the first time, providing new insight into what has been called "a lung of the ocean" that is vital for keeping marine life alive. The Labrador Sea is one of the few places where oxygen from the atmosphere is transferred to the deepest parts of the ocean and distributed throughout the Atlantic and eventually into the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

City planners turn to nature to combat Vancouver's rising sea levels

City planners turn to nature to combat Vancouver's rising sea levels

Vancouver's waterfront has taken a beating in recent months. Storms have left part of the seawall badly damaged and there's a barge stuck on a beach in English Bay. As climate change and rising sea levels continue to cause problems for coastal communities and their infrastructure, a new initiative from the City of Vancouver is aiming to get ahead of the issue.

Moving beyond emissions: How Canada can weather the floods of the future

Moving beyond emissions: How Canada can weather the floods of the future

On Nov. 15, 2021, Kevin Vilac’s phone started ringing at 4 a.m. He was needed at work — urgently. The Coldwater River in B.C. had breached its banks and threatened to overwhelm the city of Merritt’s wastewater treatment plant. Vilac, the chief water operator for the city, rushed to the site to find the lower level of the plant inundated with water. “The worst flood I’d been through prior to this was the flood in 2018 from the Nicola River, and in comparison, it was nothing. It was a mere trickle compared to what we just went through,” he says.

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