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

Grant helps fund Killarney project

Grant helps fund Killarney project

Killarney Turtle Mountain is in the middle of a water and sewer project thanks to a grant from both the federal and provincial governments. This week 10 wastewater and waste management project in Manitoba picked up $34.4 million in funding. Killarney Turtle Mountain secured $1 million to rehabilitate the water and wastewater pipes from Mountain Avenue to Finlay Street. “We’re replacing the water and sewer lines. Obviously like most communities our infrastructure is aging and this was one area in need. We’re happy to get approval and to be able to move ahead with the project.”

Smart water meters: benefits and detriments

Smart water meters: benefits and detriments

Smart meters have been a target of conversation since a bylaw change during the July 11, 2022, city council meeting. The change amended the sewer and water utility bylaw so contractors can enter private properties to perform the meter installation. This bylaw was changed to ensure homeowners cannot reject the device. The bylaw is expected to be amended by September.

Boil water advisory issued for some Kenora residents

Boil water advisory issued for some Kenora residents

A boil water advisory has been issued for Kenora, Ont., residents who are north of the Canadian Pacific Railway and consume water from the city's water distribution system. According to a news release, the boil water advisory, which came into effect on Tuesday, is due to a major water main break, which has made it so the safety of the drinking water cannot be guaranteed.

City of Barrie says 43 per cent of residential tenant water bills are in arrears

City of Barrie says 43 per cent of residential tenant water bills are in arrears

Barrie’s residential tenants owe the city more than $323,000 in water and wastewater billing arrears. A recent report to City of Barrie council broke down the cost of running a decade-old municipal water billing program intended to make property owners fully responsible for any unpaid charges incurred by their tenants.

Stay out of the water at six Niagara beaches including Lake Erie (Aug. 10)

Stay out of the water at six Niagara beaches including Lake Erie (Aug. 10)

Heading to the beach? You’ll want to stay out of the water at Lake Erie, Long, Nelles, Sherkston Quarry, Sunset and Waverly as of Aug. 10 at 3 p.m. Here’s the latest beach water quality report from Niagara Region Public Health: Bernard Avenue Beach in Fort Erie (1 Bernard Avenue) tested safe for swimming on August 4.

SCRD steps up water use patrols

SCRD steps up water use patrols

The current and forecasted continued warm and dry weather in our area has led the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) to ramp up patrols to enforce current watering rules and educate residents on conservation measures. The SCRD introduced Stage 2 measures in late July for both the Chapman and South Pender systems, while Eastbourne is at Stage 3 and North Pender remains at Stage 1.

Health Canada recruits a Concordia professor for its Science Advisory Committee on Pest Control Products

Health Canada recruits a Concordia professor for its Science Advisory Committee on Pest Control Products

Xianming Zhang, assistant professor of environmental chemistry in Concordia’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, has been invited to join Health Canada’s new Science Advisory Committee on Pest Control Products. The panel of nine researchers from across the country will provide independent guidance to the Government of Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency.

City council set to discuss replacing old Revelstoke water pipes

City council set to discuss replacing old Revelstoke water pipes

Water treatment, pipes, and school road safety will all be up on the docket for councillors this week. The council will discuss the alternative approval process for the finances of a waste water facility upgrade, and a school road safety project. They will also be discussing the roll-out of a 10-year financial plan for upgrading downtown Revelstoke’s water pipes. The wastewater treatment plant upgrade and school road safety project are both on hold because the council cannot adopt a new bylaw until residents of voting age give their approval. To get the approval, the council is using an alternative approval process (AAP).

Here's how a young First Nations clean water activist is captivating global audiences

Here's how a young First Nations clean water activist is captivating global audiences

Seventeen-year-old Canadian indigenous rights activist and designated "water protector" Autumn Peltier is empowering young people to protect the environment. As the chief water commissioner for Anishinabek Nation, she has spent nearly half her life speaking about the importance of clean water to organizations including the United Nations and the World Economic Forum. Peltier, who grew up in Wiikwemkoong First Nation on Ontario's Manitoulin Island, first became aware of the need for water advocacy at just eight years old. When visiting a neighboring indigenous community, she discovered that they were unable to drink their tap water due to pollution. That kickstarted her career as an activist.

Swimming still not recommended at Ottawa beaches due to poor water conditions

Swimming still not recommended at Ottawa beaches due to poor water conditions

Ottawa Public Health announced Tuesday that swimming was still not recommended at the city’s four public beaches due to rainfall. Water conditions frequently decline after major storm activities, as occurred over the weekend. Water samples collected at the beaches continue to show elevated levels of E. coli bacteria. The counts remain Britannia Beach samples continued to be highest, while Mooney’s Bay, Petrie Island East Bay and Petrie Island River beaches, remained above recommended levels. Westboro Beach is closed for the year for renovation work.

Canada and British Columbia invest $29.5 million in 11 projects to make B.C. communities more resilient to natural disasters

Canada and British Columbia invest $29.5 million in 11 projects to make B.C. communities more resilient to natural disasters

Today, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Mike Farnworth, British Columbia’s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, announced more than $29.5 million in joint funding to reduce and mitigate the risk of floods and slide events in 11 communities across B.C. These projects are in addition to 18 other disaster mitigation-related projects that were announced last summer.

Residents concerned water treatment plant in Beausejour, Man., will impact Brokenhead River

Residents concerned water treatment plant in Beausejour, Man., will impact Brokenhead River

Concerns are rising as work begins on a water treatment plant in Beausejour, Man., prompting some residents to challenge government officials over potential impacts on the Brokenhead River. The new facility in the east end of the town will treat well water using reverse osmosis. A pipe is being installed along Park Avenue to send the filtered well water the system rejects into the Brokenhead River, raising questions on how that might affect water quality and wildlife.

Shining a spotlight on the work of public health inspectors

Shining a spotlight on the work of public health inspectors

“The work we do is proactive, science-based, and essential to keeping your water, food, land, air and facilities safe,” explained Lisa Fortuna, Director, Health Protection with Durham Region Health Department, and the current president of the Ontario Branch of the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors. “Public health inspectors play an active and key role to ensure that food we eat is safe, checking that water is safe to drink and use, providing infection prevention and control guidance, and case and contact management for many diseases. Our work often goes unnoticed as many times we are behind the scenes working to keep the public safe.”

Joint news release: Neskantaga First Nation welcomes Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, to community

Joint news release: Neskantaga First Nation welcomes Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, to community

Neskantaga First Nation and Indigenous Services Canada Earlier this summer on July 23, Neskantaga First Nation welcomed the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor), to the community. The Minister's visit coincided with Neskantaga's Traditional Gathering that took place from July 18 to 21, 2022, which included various ceremonies, teachings and traditional activities at the Landsdowne House site—the former location of the community. The visit also coincided with the Neskantaga First Nation pow wow, which took place from July 22 to 24, 2022. Minister Hajdu joined community members and visitors for the Grand Entry ceremony as well as other community activities throughout the day.

USask research aims to improve water management with better streamflow forecasts

USask research aims to improve water management with better streamflow forecasts

Given the huge challenges climate change is posing, with unprecedented floods devastating communities across Canada and prolonged droughts contributing to increased wildfire damage and economic losses in agriculture and other economic sectors, reliable forecasts are increasingly important. “This research helps us manage our precious freshwater resources,” said Clark, professor in the Department of Geography and Planning in USask’s College of Arts and Science. “Our streamflow forecasts will help in guiding water use decisions for irrigation and water supplies, optimizing hydropower production, and anticipating flood events.”

News Release - Canada and Manitoba

News Release - Canada and Manitoba

The wastewater treatment system in Neepawa will also be expanded and upgraded to increase capacity to treat and manage wastewater and storm water. The federal and provincial investment of $4.2 million combined involves implementing a Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor system, upgrading the treatment building, and adding a lab, among other works.

Water pressure: Georgina eyes keeping public water tap at Black River Road

Water pressure: Georgina eyes keeping public water tap at Black River Road

Out of concern of water contamination, Georgina closed three of the four public water taps in 2021. Now, the town is looking at affixing new public water taps to town facilities to ensure ample parking, lighting and security for residents accessing the taps.

Imperial Oil still investigating cause of produced water spill in N.W.T.

Imperial Oil still investigating cause of produced water spill in N.W.T.

Imperial Oil Ltd. says it is still investigating the cause and impact of a pipeline spill in the Northwest Territories that has some residents downstream concerned about the potential impact. The Calgary-based oil and gas company reported on July 27 that it discovered about 55,000 litres of produced water had spilled before it shut down the pipeline in Norman Wells, N.W.T.

Outdoor water ban in Harrow and Colchester South rescinded

Outdoor water ban in Harrow and Colchester South rescinded

Essex residents may now use water outdoors. The announcement comes four days after residents were banned from using water outside due to "extreme weather events on the shores of Lake Erie" which caused "a significant reduction in water level." In a press release, the Town of Essex stated that following an assessment of the community's current water supply, "the Harrow and Colchester South water treatment tower and reservoirs are being steadily replenished and approaching standard supply levels."

700 kilograms of old flood debris found in Grand Lake-area woods

700 kilograms of old flood debris found in Grand Lake-area woods

Caroline Blakely and 13 other volunteers found a fridge tangled about 300 metres deep in the woods, along with children's toys, fishing poles, roofs, water heaters and lumber on the west side of Grand Lake. The garbage was likely from floods in 2018 and 2019, where unprecedented water levels destroyed homes and displaced more than 1,100 residents along the St. John River and nearby lakes.

Follow us