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

Coastal GasLink Faces More Water Pollution Concerns

Coastal GasLink Faces More Water Pollution Concerns

Coastal GasLink is facing more criticism over water-quality concerns as a result of construction on its 670-kilometre pipeline through northern B.C., this time in the western portion of the route near Kitimat. On Feb. 19, the company received an order from B.C.’s Environmental Assessment Office for allowing sediment to flow into a watercourse where its pipeline right-of-way crosses the South Hirsch Forest Service Road, just east of Kitimat. The order requiring the company to prevent sediment-laden water from entering watercourse comes days after the company was fined $72,500 for similar violations that have repeatedly been identified along the pipeline route.

Ice jams could lead to unexpected flooding in West Montrose, New Hamburg: GRCA

Ice jams could lead to unexpected flooding in West Montrose, New Hamburg: GRCA

Warm weather that melted snow and rain over the weekend has weakened ice on local waterways, including the Grand River, which could lead to ice jams and unexpected flooding, the Grand River Conservation Authority warns. There is an increased "potential for rapidly changing conditions" on local waterways, the authority said in a flood watch message Monday.

'We took a lot of heat': Emails show how city, Nunavut handled Iqaluit water crisis

'We took a lot of heat': Emails show how city, Nunavut handled Iqaluit water crisis

Emails between the City of Iqaluit and Nunavut Health department staff show there was a debate over how to respond to the capital's water emergency last year. Some 8,000 Iqaluit residents couldn't drink tap water for nearly two months after it was found to be contaminated with fuel. Trace amounts of fuel were also found in January when residents again reported smelling it in the water.

Canada and Prince Edward Island invest in new water infrastructure for Charlottetown

Canada and Prince Edward Island invest in new water infrastructure for Charlottetown

Funding will support a study of the existing undersized storm water system in Charlottetown in order to replace it to help meet the increasing needs and development of the community. Following the study, funding will also support the construction of a new 800 metre storm water system that will help the City collect and manage storm flows during peak rainfall events, eliminating the possibility of future flash flood events. Once complete this project will help protect homes and businesses, creating a more resilient and safer community.

Process to apply for First Nations drinking water compensation now open

Process to apply for First Nations drinking water compensation now open

As of today, residents of First Nations impacted by long-term boil-water advisories can apply for compensation as part of a class-action lawsuit taking aim at the Federal government. The $8 billion First Nations Drinking Water Settlement, reached in December 2021, earmarked $1.8 billion in compensation for impacted First Nations, as well as a $6 billion commitment for construction and maintenance of safe water infrastructure in communities across Canada. Any First Nation member who lived in a community affected by a boil-water advisory lasting more than a year between November 20, 1995 and June 20, 2021, is eligible for compensation.

Vaudreuil-Dorion issues boil water notice after major water main break

Vaudreuil-Dorion issues boil water notice after major water main break

The City of Vaudreuil-Dorion has issued an extensive boil water advisory early Monday after a major water main break. The water main break in the area, located off the western tip of the Island of Montreal, has since been contained. Earlier in the day, residents had to limit their consumption of drinking water to “ensure a minimum supply for essential needs.”

Environmental group calls for tighter rules around ship dumping

Environmental group calls for tighter rules around ship dumping

As the cruise-ship season starts to ramp up along the West Coast, an environmental group is calling on the federal government to tighten its rules and raise minimum standards around vessels dumping sewage and other waste in protected marine areas. World Wildlife Fund Canada said in a report this week that all types of ships operating in Canadian waters generate — and potentially dump — 147 billion litres of operational waste each year, the equivalent of 59,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Lakehead hosting virtual Research and Innovation Week events

Lakehead hosting virtual Research and Innovation Week events

You are invited to participate in Lakehead University’s 17th annual Research and Innovation Week, being held virtually from Monday, March 7 to Friday, March 11. Lakehead University will hold opening ceremonies on Monday, March 7 at 11:20 a.m. with keynote speaker Seth Klein, team lead for the Climate Emergency Unit – a project of the David Suzuki Institute, whose talk is called Mobilizing Canada for the Climate Emergency. At 1 p.m., Lakehead will post the first Ignite video on social media, featuring a research project by Dr. Muntasir Billah from Civil Engineering called Infrastructure Condition Assessment and Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic Using Artificial Intelligence.

As they wait for massive snowfall to melt, southern Manitoba municipalities prepare for an uncertain spring

As they wait for massive snowfall to melt, southern Manitoba municipalities prepare for an uncertain spring

After a winter that has seen snowfalls nearly double the average in some areas, officials in southern Manitoba say they're keeping a close eye on the weather heading into spring — and getting ready for possible flooding. The province's hydrologic forecast centre released its first flood outlook for the season last month. It is predicting major flows along the Red River and its tributaries, including the Roseau, Rat and Pembina Rivers.

Huron water board 'thrilled' to supply Oneida First Nation

Huron water board 'thrilled' to supply Oneida First Nation

A decision to extend the Lake Huron water supply system to a London-area First Nation has earned the full support of water board members. The Lake Huron Water Supply System management board unanimously voted Thursday to endorse a request by Oneida Nation of the Thames to connect to the water supply system, making it the first London-area First Nation to join one of the region’s two water supply systems. “It’s exciting to hear our local First Nation is one of the first in the area to pursue this type of partnership,” said Adrian Chrisjohn, chief of Oneida Nation of the Thames, southwest of London.

Boil water advisory lifted in Iqaluit

Boil water advisory lifted in Iqaluit

The City of Iqaluit has lifted the city-wide boil water advisory that had been in place since March 1. Earlier this week, the city said they put the "precautionary" advisory in place after a water line lost pressure while city workers were repairing a valve. This was the latest in a series of water issues that have affected the city over the past six months, including a city-wide boil water advisory in January that lasted for more than a week, and a do-not-consume order that lasted for more than two months in 2021 due to concerns about fuel contamination in the city's water supply.

As planet warms, less ice covering North American lakes

As planet warms, less ice covering North American lakes

With a backdrop of mountain vistas and a rink of natural ice, the annual ice hockey tournament at Grand Lake offers a picturesque snapshot of Colorado’s beauty. What’s not apparent is the problem brewing under players’ skates. This year’s tournament was held a month later than normal, with thin ice forcing organizers to postpone the event originally scheduled for the third weekend of January. “We had slushy conditions and less than six inches of ice. There just was no way it could safely be held,” said Steve Kudron, mayor of Grand Lake. That is a reality that many communities that live near lakes, which freeze and provide myriad activities during winter months, are increasingly confronting. According to a major UN report on climate released on Monday, as the planet warms, the amount of ice, and amount of time it keeps a body of water solid, are diminishing. Those changes are forcing communities to adapt and curtail some winter activities while also raising the spectre of long-term environmental and health issues.

Tetra Tech Expands Global Sustainable Water Management Consulting Services with Acquisition of Piteau Associates

Tetra Tech Expands Global Sustainable Water Management Consulting Services with Acquisition of Piteau Associates

Tetra Tech, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTEK), a leading provider of high-end consulting and engineering services, announced today that it has further expanded its sustainable water management practice with the addition of Piteau Associates, based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Established in 1976 by Dr. Douglas R. Piteau, the firm is a global leader in sustainable natural resource analytics including hydrologic numerical modeling and dewatering system design.

Abbotsford church helped single mother return home after devastating flood

Abbotsford church helped single mother return home after devastating flood

If, as the old African proverb puts it, it takes a village to raise a child, it can also take a community to help someone recover from disaster. That’s the story Trina Enns tells about how her church – the South Abbotsford Church, part of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches – is helping her rebuild her hope and home after last November’s devastating flood in B.C.’s Fraser Valley.

Lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron water levels are near their seasonal low point

Lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron water levels are near their seasonal low point

Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron water levels are near their seasonal low point and depending on weather and water supply conditions could begin their seasonal spring rise over the coming weeks. Lake Superior water levels remain below the seasonal long-term average while Lake Michigan-Huron water levels remain above the seasonal long-term average. Lake Superior outflows continue to be set in consideration of water levels upstream and downstream.

Study blames federal delays for continued marine waste dumping

Study blames federal delays for continued marine waste dumping

Federal delays are allowing billions of litres of wastewater to be dumped in Canadian waters including marine protected areas, an environmental group says. In a report released this week, the World Wildlife Fund said the federal government has yet to follow through on a three-year-old commitment to bring in new regulations on what waste ships can release into the oceans. It says that lack of progress is allowing ships to keep releasing bilgewater, sewage, grey water and other wastewater.

Petition seeks federal help to protect 'purest water in the world'

Petition seeks federal help to protect 'purest water in the world'

A new petition is calling for federal intervention to protect the region’s “exceptional” groundwater. Spurred to action by companies using water for aggregate washing in Tiny Township and other Simcoe County locales, the petition was hand delivered to the House of Commons this week by Simcoe North MP Adam Chambers. “This water (Alliston Aquifer) is the gold standard for water worldwide, a national and global treasure,” noted the petition that had 23 signatures by mid-afternoon Thursday. The petition goes on to note that ancient deposits under the Simcoe Uplands in Tiny, Springwater, Oro-Medonte and Tay townships contain “pristine” groundwater. Tiny Township is the host to two aggregate wash water facilities: Teedon Pit owned by Dufferin Aggregates at 40 Darby Road, and Waverley Pit No. 2 owned by Sarjeant Company Ltd at 1379 Baseline Road South.

Volunteer program monitors health of wetlands throughout Great Lakes basin

Volunteer program monitors health of wetlands throughout Great Lakes basin

Wetlands provide water cleaning, provide habitat, and help mitigate the impact of storms, yet have been considered lesser quality lands for many years. Because of this, they have degraded substantially in Canada and throughout the world. The Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program (GLMMP) began more than 25 years ago, in 1995, and works with both professional and citizen scientists to monitor the health of wetlands in the region.

Hundreds of residents in Merritt, B.C., still out of their homes 3½ months after devastating floods

Hundreds of residents in Merritt, B.C., still out of their homes 3½ months after devastating floods

When Donna Rae moved to Merritt, B.C., from Vancouver, she bought a small retirement home where she figured she'd spend the rest of her life. But late last year, that home became filled with mud, water and debris from the Coldwater River — one of many destroyed during devastating floods in November. Now Rae, 70, says she wishes she'd never moved to the city in B.C.'s southern Interior. "Now I'm wishing I'd stayed at the coast, so I don't have to deal with this," she said.

Tips on how to prevent — or deal with — snow-water leakage

Tips on how to prevent — or deal with — snow-water leakage

Winnipeggers might have trouble preventing snow-water leaking in their homes this spring. After weeks of heavy snowfall, water dripping from the ceiling and seeping through, newfound foundation cracks are just some of the issues homeowners might be facing. “A lot of the calls that we get are ‘I’ve lived in my house for 10, 15, 20 years and I’ve never experienced anything like this,'” Daniel Pelland of Lansard Brother’s Roofing told 680 CJOB.

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