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

Canada is 'weaving' Indigenous science into environmental policy-making

Canada is 'weaving' Indigenous science into environmental policy-making

Research shows that Indigenous communities in Canada are at higher risk from climate-related disasters such as flooding. Myrle Ballard is setting out to make sure Indigenous people are also part of the solution to climate change. Ballard is the first director of Environment and Climate Change Canada's new division of Indigenous Science, a role in which she's tasked with raising awareness of Indigenous science within the department and helping the government find ways to integrate it into its policies.

Finally! Rain is returning across B.C.

Finally! Rain is returning across B.C.

With rain and snow forecast for British Columbia, it's finally time to bid goodbye to the province's long dry spell. Environment Canada is calling for just under 10 millimetres of rain in the Fraser Valley and about seven millimetres on parts of eastern Vancouver Island by early Saturday, but parched areas of the Sunshine Coast will have to wait a little longer for relief.

What killed these giant fish?

What killed these giant fish?

Nikolaus Gantner is searching for clues in 12 mysterious deaths along British Columbia’s Nechako River. It’s not your usual whodunnit. The dead are white sturgeon, North America’s largest and longest-living freshwater fish. The species has been around for more than 200 million years, sharing the planet eons ago with dinosaurs.

Research from UBC Okanagan suggest tire particles impact fresh water

Research from UBC Okanagan suggest tire particles impact fresh water

If you have ever been curious as to what happens to the rubber tread that wears off of a vehicle's tires, then you are in luck. Modelling by a team of researchers at the UBC Okanagan has discovered that an increasing amount of microplastics from tires and roadways are ending up in lakes and streams. From the university's School of Engineering, researchers have developed a framework for examining potential contamination that originates from the use of vehicles on roads and highways.

Climate change raises risks for mining industry

Climate change raises risks for mining industry

In the North, some mines risk leaking acid if the permafrost melts, while across Canada heavier rainfall will add strain to tailings dams and a lack of it could throw operations. While no strangers to extreme weather, the growing risks from climate change are forcing the mining industry to take a hard look at their methods, and how to prepare for the worst. Many of the most prudent actions to minimize risk are, however, also more costly, meaning that while some have taken them on, not everyone has followed suit.

Boil water advisory in Sachigo Lake First Nation lifted after 4 years

Boil water advisory in Sachigo Lake First Nation lifted after 4 years

A boil water advisory in Sachigo Lake First Nation that had been in effect for four years was officially lifted last week. The advisory, which was upgraded to a long-term advisory in 2019, was rescinded after upgrades to the water treatment system were finished. The work included an expansion of the wastewater lagoon. Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu is expected to address the matter in the House of Commons on Wednesday, “That brings us to 31 boil-water advisories left to lift nationally, 136 since we took office that have been lifted,” Hajdu said in prepared comments that were submitted to NWONewswatch.

Canadian climate tech built with Western expertise to be part of joint mission with NASA

Canadian climate tech built with Western expertise to be part of joint mission with NASA

Extreme weather events are increasing in frequency and intensity and the dynamics of Earth’s atmosphere is ever-changing. A new pan-Canadian collaboration will measure aerosols, water vapour and clouds and how they interact to impact Earth’s weather and climate as part of NASA’s Atmosphere Observing System (AOS) mission. The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) will collaborate with NASA on AOS with its High-altitude Aerosols, Water vapour and Clouds (HAWC) mission. The mission consists of two Canadian instruments on a Canadian satellite and a third instrument on a NASA satellite, all planned for launch in 2031. These innovative instruments will provide critical measurements, enabling Canadian climate scientists and weather forecasters to better understand and predict extreme events like severe storms, floods, droughts and poor air quality conditions.

Metro Vancouver's last remaining glacier is disappearing fast Social Sharing

Metro Vancouver's last remaining glacier is disappearing fast Social Sharing

Metro Vancouver's last surviving glacier, a source of local fresh water, will disappear in less than 30 years, scientists say. Scientists say climate change is accelerating the demise of the Coquitlam Glacier. The ice pack, located 40 kilometres north of Vancouver, sits on a mountain more than 1,400 metres high. During the warmer months, runoff from what's left of the glacier provides about two percent of the water in the Coquitlam Reservoir. Although not a significant source of water, for scientists surveying its decline, the glacier's disappearing act is a symptom of the stress climate change is putting on local sources of fresh water.

Mining industry digs into alternative methods as climate risks rise

Mining industry digs into alternative methods as climate risks rise

In the North, some mines risk leaking acid if the permafrost melts, while across Canada heavier rainfall will add strain to tailings dams and a lack of it could throw operations. While no strangers to extreme weather, the growing risks from climate change are forcing the mining industry to take a hard look at their methods and how to prepare for the worst. Many of the most prudent actions to minimize risk are, however, also more costly, meaning that while some have taken them on, not everyone has followed suit.

Patricia Elliott: Time for Regina to make our drinking water a priority over swimming pools

Patricia Elliott: Time for Regina to make our drinking water a priority over swimming pools

Safe drinking water? That’s another matter. Too expensive. Too hard to schedule. It’ll take at least 15 years. Meanwhile, over 3,000 central Regina homes are hooked to aging City infrastructure that is leaching lead into their drinking water at alarming rates, as reported in the Leader-Post in 2019 as part of a national investigation. Among a lengthy list of threats, lead is linked to low-weight babies, kidney damage and early onset dementia. Children face lower IQ, learning disabilities, hearing problems and slowed growth. The city has known about the problem at least since 2017, when a random study of 89 central Regina homes recorded some sky-high lead levels.

B.C. Hydro reducing power generation at Alouette Lake as drought conditions worsen

B.C. Hydro reducing power generation at Alouette Lake as drought conditions worsen

As dry, unseasonably warm weather across B.C. persists well into October, the crystal blue water at Maple Ridge's Alouette Lake has retreated by at least 10 metres, leaving buoys sitting on dry land and would-be swimmers walking across bone-dry lakebed to access the shallows. Alouette Lake is a popular summer and boating spot, located about an hour's drive east of Vancouver in Golden Ears Provincial Park. The lake is also a B.C. Hydro reservoir, where water is regularly diverted to generate power and to ensure water levels are sufficient to sustain nearby salmon populations in the Alouette River.

Rain forecast prompts special weather statement

Rain forecast prompts special weather statement

Heavy rain is expected on Prince Edward Island overnight Wednesday. Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement in connection with the forecast. Rainfall amounts will vary across the province. Generally amounts will be 30 to 50 millimetres, but could be as high as 70 in some areas. "Periods of rain will become heavy this evening and continue overnight before easing early Thursday morning. Isolated thunderstorms are also possible tonight," said CBC meteorologist Jay Scotland.

Forward Water Technologies:Innovative Technology Supporting the Quest for Clean Water

Forward Water Technologies:Innovative Technology Supporting the Quest for Clean Water

Forward Water Technologies (TSXV:FWTC)) helps in the reduction of environmental impact of lithium mining companies and other industries through innovative wastewater treatment technology that enables industrial operations to reduce liquid waste volume by up to 95 percent. Transformative wastewater technologies are critical for both businesses and the world’s population. In fact, unless sufficient progress is achieved, UNICEF and WHO estimate that 1.6 billion people will be without access to safe drinking water by 2030, and 2.8 billion will be without access to safe sanitation and hygiene. Water treatment technologies can disrupt current trends and improve global access to safe drinking water.

Manitoulin First Nations leaders prominent in 'Biinaagami' Great Lakes protection project

Manitoulin First Nations leaders prominent in 'Biinaagami' Great Lakes protection project

We have a great deal to lose if we don’t acknowledge our shared responsibility to protect and restore the Great Lakes. That’s the underlying premise of Biinaagami, a multi-year collaborative project undertaken by Canadian Geographic and Swim Drink Fish. The project was launched September 26 in Niagara on the Lake with a number of First Nations leaders from Manitoulin Island as key participants.

Contamination of Grand River coming from upstream

Contamination of Grand River coming from upstream

A study measuring the quality of water in the Grand River found the majority of pollutants are coming from municipalities upstream and are concentrated around Fairchild Creek. Pesticides, e-coli, and human waste by-products are all present in the Grand River but the state of the art treatment plant in Ohsweken is filtering most of that out, according to one of the study authors, Marsha Serville-Tertullien, from Trent University. She recommended Six Nations tell municipalities up stream to clean up their act in order to reduce potential contaminants in Six Nations’ drinking water.

H’art Centre to host art exhibit to celebrate Canada’s freshwater resources

H’art Centre to host art exhibit to celebrate Canada’s freshwater resources

H’art Centre is launching its national visual art exhibit, Connecting Canadians: Freshwater later this week. It will be the first public exhibit to be held in THE MIX, H’art Centre’s new 4,000-square-foot community outreach and gallery space adjacent to their 237 Wellington Street location. “From the largest glaciers to the small tributaries that flow into tranquil freshwater lakes, colourful details come alive while you explore original work from inclusive art studios and allied arts organizations from across Canada,” the organization shared in a media release. “Together, the work of neurodiverse artists will celebrate freshwater and the way it connects us.”

Enbridge will pay $11 million to settle pipeline violations

Enbridge will pay $11 million to settle pipeline violations

Enbridge Energy, the owner and operator of the Line 3 pipeline project in northern Minnesota, will pay more than $11 million after investigations identified water quality violations and three aquifer breaches related to the pipeline’s construction, state regulators said recently. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced the results from investigations of water quality violations and aquifer breaches related to the construction project. Combined with the previous DNR actions, and in partnership with Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, the investigations have resulted in more than $11 million in payments, environmental projects, and financial assurances from Enbridge, according to the state agencies.

Cost to recover from Hay River's flood expected to top $174 million

Cost to recover from Hay River's flood expected to top $174 million

The N.W.T. government says it expects flood recovery for Hay River and the Kátł'odeeche Fırst Nation to cost more than $174 million. That figure comes from a report tabled last week in the Legislative Assembly. The report shows the government expects to spend $112.4 million by the end of this fiscal year, and an additional $61.7 million over the next fiscal year, to cover damages and losses from the flood that swept through those communities this past spring. The town, along with surrounding First Nations, experienced historic flooding in May that forced residents to evacuate. Floodwaters damaged roads, homes and key infrastructure — like water treatment plant lines and the landfill.

Well complaints heard by joint commission

Well complaints heard by joint commission

When it comes to getting help from the province regarding the contamination of wells in Chatham-Kent, Kevin Jakubec has called it quits. The Water Wells First founder is now looking to the International Joint Commission on the Great Lakes for assistance to solve the ongoing problem of fouled water in North Kent. "It's time to forget the Ontario government," Jakubec said. "I've given up trying to get help. We're way past that now."

'This is a legacy thing': Irrigation could be the solution to Niagara's surprising water-scarcity problem

'This is a legacy thing': Irrigation could be the solution to Niagara's surprising water-scarcity problem

Pipelines could be coming down the pike as a coalition of farmers, industry experts, and local politicians are attempting to construct an irrigation network across Niagara to stave off the worsening effects of climate change. Finding a solution to water scarcity has become more and more pressing as climate change has led to an increase in droughts across the Niagara region.

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