When people use freshwater beyond a physically sustainable rate, it sets off a cascade of impacts on ecosystems, people and the planet. These impacts include groundwater wells running dry, fish populations becoming stranded before they are able to spawn and protected wetland ecosystems turning into dry landscapes. Developments in computer models and satellites have fostered a new understanding of how freshwater is being redistributed around the planet and have made clear the central role that people play in this change. This human impact is so significant that organizations like the United States Geological Survey are redrawing their water cycle diagram to include the impacts of human actions.
Wastewater study shows drop in COVID-19 levels in Saskatoon and North Battleford
COVID-19 levels are down in both Saskatoon and North Battleford, according to the latest data from the University of Saskatchewan's wastewater study. Researchers with the university's Global Water Futures program have been analyzing wastewater samples from Saskatoon, North Battleford and Prince Albert for COVID-19 since summer 2020. The study's results can help predict a rise or fall of COVID-19 diagnoses about a week in advance. In the latest report, which covers the week ending in Nov. 2, Saskatoon saw its biggest weekly drop so far, with SARS-CoV-2 levels down 80 per cent.
Canadian delegation to tell COP27 about oceans' role in fighting climate change
Lying in plain sight and lapping against our shores is what scientists describe as an unsung hero that has been quietly absorbing heat and keeping the world’s temperatures under control. And over the coming days, a group of Canadian researchers hopes to persuade the world that the ocean has a crucial role to play in fighting climate change. Prof. Anya Waite is leading a delegation from Dalhousie University’s Ocean Frontier Institute to attend the 27th annual Conference of the Parties of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change — better known as COP27 — in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, starting Sunday. They plan to share ways the deep blue carbon sink acts as a buffer and impacts climate forecasts.
How Waterloo region's water services are preparing for future climate change challenges
With Waterloo region's climate projected to be more extreme in the coming decades, officials with the region's water services are already thinking of how to adapt to future changes and challenges. Adapting current infrastructure and future builds to climate change takes time and a lot of planning, said Kaoru Yajima, a senior engineer with the region's water services. It's why that work has already been underway for several years. "We've been seeing changes in the climate for some time. It's not like it just happened today or last year. It's been coming around for some time and we knew that we had to plan," he told CBC Kitchener-Waterloo.
What is blue carbon and why is it vital for mitigating Canada's carbon emissions?
Marlow Pellatt spent time on Vancouver Island, taking samples of soil from deep underground and wading through water to understand the biodiversity in the area. To an onlooker, it may seem like he’s playing in mud, but he’s actually researching how important coastal ecosystems are in Canada’s fight against climate change. Pellatt, a coastal ecologist with Parks Canada, led a team that was part of an international effort to study and preserve coastal systems this year. The joint initiative involves Canada, the U.S. and Mexico to study "blue carbon" -- the carbon stored in marine ecosystems.
Canada Infrastructure Bank invests in new shíshálh Nation Government District-owned wastewater treatment plant
The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) and the shíshálh Nation Government District (sNGD) announced financial close on an agreement, which will see the CIB lend $6.4 million to support a new Port Stalashen Wastewater Treatment Plant through its Indigenous Community Infrastructure Initiative. The plant will be located on shíshálh Nation lands near Sechelt, B.C., and will play a role in enabling economic growth, protecting the coastal environment, and safeguarding public health through improving the outfall. The investment will serve the shíshálh Nation, which represents a population of more than 1,500 members, and lessees on shíshálh Nation Lands (Tsawcome) No. 1.
Fight against coal mine expansion to be brought to UN climate change conference
A coalition of environmental groups is taking the fight against an Alberta coal mine expansion to the international stage at the 27th annual United Nations climate conference (COP27) this month. Keepers of the Water is a coalition of First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and environmental groups formed in 2006 over concerns about water quality in the Mackenzie River. The coalition has since expanded as more communities come forward with concerns about pollution in their watersheds.
More people may join ongoing hunger strike at Sask. women's jail, advocate says
Drinking water tested: The quality of drinking water was another concern for the inmates participating in the hunger strike. Eagle said last month the water smelled and tasted so bad she was boiling it, Maier said on Thursday. According to the provincial Ministry of SaskBuilds and Procurement, which manages and maintains provincial government buildings, the water at Pine Grove was tested and sent to a Saskatchewan Research Council lab for analysis on Oct. 5. A total of 30 tests were done, and officials on-site did not detect any unusual odour or taste in the water, the ministry said in an email to CBC on Friday.
Saltwater lake in Kelowna losing salinity, putting rare ecosystem at risk
A fragile and rare ecosystem in Kelowna is changing forever as the community grows around it. Robert Lake, just south of the Glenmore landfill, is unique for the salt content in its water. It provides a refuge for birds and amphibians rare in the B.C. Interior. The lake has no outlet and used to completely dry up “quite regularly,” according to Ian Walker, the vice president of the Friends of Robert Lake Society and retired biology professor at UBC Okanagan. “You'd often go past and you can see these little roll winds of white salty dust kind of blowing around,” he said. But for the past four to five years that hasn’t happened and increasing water levels are creating problems for nearby property owners, the City of Kelowna and the animals that rely on the lake.
United States and Canada Water and Wastewater Market Outlook 2022-2025: Focus on Adapting to Climate Change, Updating Infrastructure, and Dealing with Emerging Pollutants
This research study discusses the impact of the pandemic on the water and wastewater industry in the United States and Canada, examining the measures being taken by utilities to deal with the same. It identifies the key trends emerging in the industry and the top utilities to watch out for. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of having up-to-date water and wastewater systems and infrastructures that can provide agile responses. Municipalities and industries across North America have begun adopting net-zero, decarbonization, and circularity goals to become sustainable, resilient, and future ready.
Wander Through a 2,200-Foot-Long Tunnel Beneath Niagara Falls
Visitors to Niagara Falls have a new way to experience the iconic triple waterfall. Travelers can now wander through a massive, century-old 2,200-foot-long tunnel located 180 feet beneath the historic hydroelectric plant that once converted the roaring waterfall’s powerful whitewater into electricity. The tunnel opens to a 65-foot, river-level viewing platform that offers a spectacular front-row seat to the gushing flow of Horseshoe Falls, the largest of Niagara's three flows.
Sault's water agency task force awaits standing committee announcement
A task force created to lobby the federal government to establish its Canada Water Agency in Sault Ste. Marie is waiting for word of the establishment of a standing committee. It’s submission is nearly polished and ready to go, pending any new information that comes to light between now and hearing dates, said Ward 5 Coun. Corey Gardi who spearheaded the initiative. “We are awaiting word on the formation of a standing committee and we’ll take our information to that committee, but until then, there’s not a lot to do,” Gardi said. Gardi will be meeting with mayor-elect Matthew Shoemaker in the coming days to discuss the council term ahead. He plans on seeking Shoemaker’s support for the initiative and getting him on board.
City of Yellowknife to draw drinking water from the bay during pipeline construction
The City of Yellowknife hosted an open house Wednesday to provide updates on its $34.4 million project to replace the 53-year-old pipeline that supplies residents with drinking water. The new pipeline is scheduled to be in place by winter of 2026. It will continue to draw water from the Yellowknife River, as is the current system, but the city will have to pull water from Yellowknife Bay during construction beginning in 2024 for a period that could last up to 12 months.
Dust from mountaintop coal mine contaminated pristine alpine lake, study shows
New Alberta government research has found windblown dust from mountaintop removal coal mines has polluted a pristine alpine lake to the point where its waters are as contaminated as lakes downwind from the oilsands. The paper, published last week in the journal Environmental Science and Technology, concludes that it's crucial to consider more than just downstream effects from such mines.
Iconic glaciers of Kilimanjaro, Yellowstone to disappear by 2050 due to global warming: UN
Some of the world's most famous glaciers, including in the Dolomites in Italy, the Yosemite and Yellowstone parks in the United States, and Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania are set to disappear by 2050 due to global warming — whatever the temperature rise scenario, according to a UNESCO report. UNESCO, the United Nations cultural agency, monitors some 18,600 glaciers across 50 of its World Heritage sites and said that glaciers in one-third of World Heritage sites will disappear by 2050 regardless of the applied climate scenario.
'The spirits hear us': Paddles and prayers protect Lake Simcoe
For an Anishinaabe woman, water is life — and water had taken life away. “It was very emotional for me. I guess you can say I was a little bit angry at the water.” Then she realized that part of her healing journey must include this. She would organize Shining Water Paddle to bring prayers, offerings, blessings and songs to the water. They would honour the spirits, remember the ancestors and seek their guidance to protect this precious resource, this essence of First Nations peoples. It was time to make their voices heard — and for her to heal, too.
Canadian natgas firms warn clock ticking on Montney shale deal with First Nations
A spokesperson for B.C.'s Ministry of Land, Water and Resource Stewardship said talks are continuing and "we hope to have more to say about this soon". Since August the province has started issuing some drilling permits for leases with existing well pads, and other work that does not require land to be disturbed. Jeremy McCrea, an analyst with Raymond James, said this was a positive sign. Conversations with management teams indicate companies plan to increase spending in late 2022, suggesting these negotiations will be resolved by then, he added.
Upper Thames River Conservation Authority has concerns about province's plans to speed development Social Sharing
The head of the conversation authority that serves London is concerned legislative changes being pushed through by the Ontario government could limit the organization's role in reviewing projects for flood risk and other natural hazards. The More Homes Built Faster Act — already in its second reading at Queen's Park — is intended to simplify and streamline the approval process for development applications. The Doug Ford government says it's making the changes to fast-track home building to address a province-wide housing shortage.
TransAlta sues Alberta government to prevent oilpatch fracking near hydro dam
Calgary-based electricity producer TransAlta Corp. is suing the Alberta government and the Alberta Energy Regulator to prevent oil and gas companies from fracking near its largest hydroelectric dam in the province because the technique can cause earthquakes. The court action, which was filed in September in the Court of King's Bench of Alberta, takes place as two oil and gas companies have applied to frack within five kilometres of the dam. TransAlta is concerned about possible seismic activity causing damage to the Brazeau power plant, near Drayton Valley in central Alberta, as well as the loss of wildlife, habitat and human life.
Final bill for runaway Nova Scotia Power hydro project still months away
Nova Scotia Power says it will take at least another five months for it to submit the final bill to complete an ill-fated refurbishment of the Tusket hydro electricity dam in Yarmouth County. The project is already three years behind schedule with costs still unclear and revised construction plans still needing environmental permits. The last cost estimate was $36 million — twice the amount approved by regulators in 2019. The dam site in southwestern Nova Scotia has been plagued by water leaking into the construction zone.




















