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.
Canada's oil sands mining industry on Thursday outlined proposals to release treated water from tailings ponds into northern Alberta's Athabasca River, a move environmental groups say risks damaging one of the world's largest freshwater deltas. Unlike other extractive industries in Canada, oil sands firms are not allowed to release treated tailings water.
Today, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, welcomed the latest release of data on the status of Canada's water infrastructure through Canada's Core Public Infrastructure (CCPI) survey, for reference year 2020. The survey supports an evidence and results-based approach to public infrastructure policies, programs and investment decisions. The CCPI presents a statistically accurate and comprehensive landscape of public infrastructure in Canada. It provides communities across Canada with the tools and support they need to make evidence-based decisions for well-planned, modern public infrastructure that will help create healthier, safer and stronger communities.
With more than two dozen First Nation communities in Canada still under drinking water advisories, two Indigenous business leaders are doing their part to change that. "We wanted to create awareness of what was going on in our communities and what's still going on," Tyson Wesley, co-owner of FN Clean Water in Ottawa, told CTV National News. Driven by his own experiences with drinking water advisories, Wesley and fellow company co-owner Natasha Commanda run FN Clean Water, with the goal of bringing clean drinking water to First Nations.
Conserving and restoring nature is vital in the fight against climate change; protecting biodiversity and species at risk; and maintaining a strong, sustainable economy. Canadians, including Indigenous Peoples, depend on nature to supply us with food, clean water, breathable air, and a livable climate. Today, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, together with the Nova Scotia Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Timothy Halman, and the Nova Scotia Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables, the Honourable Tory Rushton, marked Canada and Nova Scotia's shared commitment to nature conservation at an event at Maskwa Aquatic Club, next to the Blue Mountain – Birch Cove Lakes wilderness area, the site of the first proposed national urban park in Nova Scotia.
The beach on Île Notre-Dame in Jean-Drapeau Park has reopened after being closed since Wednesday because of an E. coli contamination. Testing had been under way over the past few days, with results from Thursday showing the water is now safe to swim in, Quebec's Environment Ministry shared late Friday afternoon. It's sure to be welcome news for anyone looking to head to the beach ahead of what's expected to be a hot weekend in the city.
On Friday. the city Iqaluit declared state of emergency following a precarious water situation, writes Reuters. The city is located in the territory of Nunavut, in the far north in Canada. The water level in the local river Apex is historically low after a year of little rain, according to data from the last 40 years. Local authorities fear that there will not be enough water in the reservoir to supply the approximately 7800 inhabitants until winter when the river freezes over. The city is now seeking license to pump more water than normally allowed from the Apex river, as well as tapping an additional water source.
Releasing treated oilsands tailings into the environment isn't the only solution being considered to clean up the massive toxic ponds in northern Alberta, federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault says. Guilbeault said Wednesday that even though his government is developing regulations on how the tailings could be drained into the Athabasca River, other solutions are under review.
Releasing treated oilsands tailings into the environment isn't the only solution being considered to clean up the massive toxic ponds in northern Alberta, federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault says. Guilbeault said Wednesday that even though his government is developing regulations on how the tailings could be drained into the Athabasca River, other solutions are under review.
A United Nations body that monitors some of the world's greatest natural glories is in Canada again to assess government responses to ongoing threats to the country's largest national park, including plans to release treated oilsands tailings into its watershed. In a series of meetings beginning Thursday, UNESCO investigators are to determine whether Wood Buffalo National Park should be on the list of World Heritage Sites In Danger— a move the agency has already deemed "likely."
The Yukon government has issued a high water advisory for the Southern Lakes including Bennett, Tagish and Marsh Lake. A Wednesday advisory said the water levels are "well above average for this time of year." The levels are above the five-year return period water level, which refers to the expected frequency that a level or flow could be exceeded based on statistical analysis of historic records.
P.E.I. issued another blue-green algae bloom advisory on Wednesday, after the microscopic organisms causing the phenomenon were found in Murray River's MacLures Pond. Just a day before, the province announced it had discovered blue-green algae in Black Pond near Souris. That was the first time in two years that such a bloom had been reported in the province.
Drought conditions in parts of North America, Europe and Asia have left lakes, reservoirs and rivers much lower than usual. The dry conditions are causing problems for people who depend on the water for animal grazing and the shipment of goods. Some regions are being forced to ship water to those in need while others are resorting to cloud seeding in a bid to promote rainfall.
Saskatchewan researchers scanning sewers for COVID-19 may soon be on the lookout for other viruses. Wastewater epidemiology teams in Saskatoon and Regina are considering searching for monkeypox and polio, two viruses that are on the rise in North America. “Basically, we’re trying to translate what we’ve done for the SARS-CoV-2 methodology and see how well it works for these other viruses,” said University of Regina biology professor Tzu-Chiao Chao. Wastewater testing looks for traces of viruses or other contaminants in sewage.
Crews are working to drain fuel from a sunken fish boat in U.S. waters just east of Vancouver Island before it fouls a key feeding ground for endangered southern resident killer whales. An update from the U.S. Coast Guard says the 15-metre Aleutian Isle has shifted since it went down Saturday off Washington state, near San Juan Island, roughly 25 kilometres east of Victoria.
P.E.I.'s Chief Public Health Office says blue-green algae has been found in Black Pond in the eastern part of Souris. The province issued an advisory on Tuesday warning Islanders to avoid exposure to the water in that area. Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) may form scum that can cause skin rashes and irritations for swimmers. Ingesting the water may cause nausea, vomiting, sore throat, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. As a result of the discovery, the province is also advising people to avoid eating fish caught in the area.
It took Craig McLellan one simple lecture at Canadore College to realize North Bay would be an ideal spot to relocate his business. "I spoke to 90 first year software development students and at the end of my 10-minute talk I said a show of hands how many of you want to stay in North Bay after you graduate, and over 75 per cent of them put their hands up," said McLellan, the president and CEO of ThinkOn.
Wading into the clear water of the Magaguadavic River within sight of downtown St. George, Kalen Mawer notes all the signs of life: aquatic plants, mussel shells, tiny fish scattering with each splashing step. "That's a good thing," said Mawer, the aquatic science program manager at Eastern Charlotte Waterways. "If you get in and you're not seeing anything, then it's a bad sign." Mawer dips a plastic bottle into the river and carefully labels it with a Sharpie. She's out in hip waders near the Day Adventure Centre, collecting water samples to be tested for coliform and E. coli.
The biggest of the Great Lakes and one of the largest freshwater ecosystems in the world — has remained relatively pristine compared to the other four. It’s far enough away from the populated urban centres in southern Ontario, its watersheds are largely forested, there’s little industry or agriculture on its shorelines and its especially cold water (an average of 4 C year-round) has kept away invasive species.
But we don’t stop there. Merely looking at water, when we’re camping or otherwise, is just the beginning. After lapping it up and pouring it over ourselves to feel better, we pour it on our pets, our plants and our dusty vehicles after all those road trips. And so, I gently remind you, me, all of us, dear readers, especially during these hot dry summer months, that that thar blue stuff is precious. So treasure it! I remember staying with a family in Tokyo who’d known my great-aunt in Canada. After taking a nice cool shower on a muggy August day, my host gently commented, “Ah, Canadians love water.” My showers became much shorter after that, but he was right. We Canucks love our water and use it like wastrels, even during the Stage 2 restrictions now in effect.
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