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

Why do oceans matter for climate change?

Why do oceans matter for climate change?

As the climate crisis gets worse, oceans — the planet’s greatest carbon sink — can no longer be overlooked. Spanning 70 per cent of the globe, oceans have absorbed nearly a third of the planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions caused by humans and 90 per cent of the excess heat those gases create. The heat stored in the Earth’s entire atmosphere is equal to what’s stored in the top few metres of our oceans. If that wasn’t enough, oceans produce more than 50 per cent of the planet’s oxygen and regulate our climate and weather patterns.

Emergency water repair in Halifax: Halifax Water

Emergency water repair in Halifax: Halifax Water

Halifax Water crews are working to repair a water main on Kaye and Sackville streets in Halifax. Water service will temporarily close the road between Belleshire drive but sidewalks will remain open. The utility says motorists should expect delays and use alternate routes. Halifax Water says customers in the area may experience discoloured water during, and or, after the repair. It is recommended that those customers run the cold water until the water runs clear.

Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan Invest $17.6 Million in Crop Research

Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan Invest $17.6 Million in Crop Research

Examples of the individual research projects being funded include exploring the diversity of Fusarium root to species infecting pulse crops, insect response to climate change and ag inputs across the prairies, economic salinity remediation strategies for agriculture water using innovative desalinization minerals and a nutritionally balanced pulse-oilseed protein-based beverage.

Why do oceans matter for climate change?

Why do oceans matter for climate change?

As the climate crisis gets worse, oceans — the planet’s greatest carbon sink — can no longer be overlooked. Spanning 70 per cent of the globe, oceans have absorbed nearly a third of the planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions caused by humans and 90 per cent of the excess heat those gases create. The heat stored in the Earth’s entire atmosphere is equal to what’s stored in the top few metres of our oceans. If that wasn’t enough, oceans produce more than 50 per cent of the planet’s oxygen and regulate our climate and weather patterns.

Spanish farmers protest against plans to curb water supply for irrigation

Spanish farmers protest against plans to curb water supply for irrigation

Thousands of farmers protested in Madrid on Wednesday over Spain's plan to reduce the amount of water taken from the Tagus river to irrigate agricultural land in the country's southeast. Spain experienced its hottest year on record in 2022. The heat, accompanied by a long drought throughout most of the year, caused reservoirs to fall to critical levels. Environment Minister Teresa Ribera said on Tuesday the curbs were necessary to prepare the country for the effects of climate change.

Trapped sediment in dams 'endangers' water supplies: UN

Trapped sediment in dams 'endangers' water supplies: UN

Thousands of the world's large dams are so clogged with sediment that they risk losing more than a quarter of their storage capacity by 2050, UN researchers said Wednesday, warning of the threat to water security. A new study from the UN University's Institute for Water, Environment and Health found that, by mid-century, dams and reservoirs will lose about 1.65 trillion cubic metres of water storage capacity to sediment.

Oneida has tentative deal to pipe in Lake Huron water, seeks federal money to cover cost

Oneida has tentative deal to pipe in Lake Huron water, seeks federal money to cover cost

Buried beneath the gravel shoulder of the intersection is a 16-inch diameter wide water main. The pipe is part of the Lake Huron Primary Water Supply System, the same vast network that carries treated Lake Huron water to 15 municipalities across an area the size of Prince Edward Island. Parts of London, along with Middlesex Centre, Strathroy-Caradoc, Lucan-Biddulph, Grand Bend and others, are supplied by this system.

Conserve water notice lifted for Oneida Nation of the Thames, state of emergency remains

Conserve water notice lifted for Oneida Nation of the Thames, state of emergency remains

A state of emergency remains in effect for the Oneida Nation of the Thames as water levels have fluctuated from critically low to extremely high in a “very short time frame.” Oneida officials first declared a state of emergency on Dec. 15, 2022, after an “all-time low water level was recorded in the community’s water tower,” its main source of water. Community members were asked to cease all non-essential water use over the holiday period.

What are El Niño and La Niña, and how do they change the weather?

What are El Niño and La Niña, and how do they change the weather?

Winds blowing along the Equator above the Pacific Ocean - from South America in the east towards Asia in the west - were stronger than normal. These "trade winds" piled warm water off the coast of Asia, raising the sea surface level. In the east, near the Americas, cold water flowed upwards to the surface. During El Niño the opposite happens - weaker trade winds mean the warm water spreads out back towards the Americas, and less cold water rises towards the surface.

Flood watch in effect for Hamilton with 20 to 26 mm of rain expected Thursday

Flood watch in effect for Hamilton with 20 to 26 mm of rain expected Thursday

A flood watch is in effect for Hamilton, with higher water levels expected in low-lying areas and area watercourses due to rain on Thursday, Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) says. HCA said in a news release the Hamilton area is expected to receive 20 to 26 millimetres of rain. HCA water resources engineer Jonathan Bastien said the main concern is the run-off uncertainty response to the rain.

New network for Indigenous land guardians welcomed in North

New network for Indigenous land guardians welcomed in North

A new federal initiative aimed at helping Indigenous communities protect their lands and water is a "win-win for everyone," according to some Northerners. "It benefits the programs and the communities that they serve, but that benefit and that value grows beyond those communities," said Dahti Tsetso, deputy director of the Indigenous Leadership Initiative, which supports Indigenous Guardian programs across Canada and in the North. Tsetso has also been director of lands and resources for the Dehcho First Nations in Fort Simpson, N.W.T.

Financial collapse of Caribou mine owner raises alarm over potential cleanup cost

Financial collapse of Caribou mine owner raises alarm over potential cleanup cost

One of the primary concerns the province expressed in recent court filings about Trevali going bankrupt or into receivership was the need to treat acidic water at the mine and to pump water out of the underground portion of the mine. The filings say that without security, there was a risk thieves could interrupt the mine's power supply and halt water treatment, which could cause environmental damage.

Teck Metals Ltd. ordered to pay a $2.2 million fine for unlawful deposit of effluent into the Columbia River

Teck Metals Ltd. ordered to pay a $2.2 million fine for unlawful deposit of effluent into the Columbia River

Canadians value clean water and a sustainable environment. Environment and Climate Change Canada enforcement officers strive to ensure that businesses and individuals comply with laws and regulations that protect Canada's natural environment. On January 10, 2023, in the Provincial Court of British Columbia, Teck Metals Ltd. was ordered to pay a total of $2.2 million after earlier pleading guilty to two charges laid under the federal Fisheries Act and one charge laid under the provincial Environmental Management Act. The charges stem from a 2019 release of effluent into the Columbia River. The federal fine of $2 million will be directed to the Government of Canada's Environmental Damages Fund. In relation to the provincial charges, Teck Metal Ltd. was ordered to pay a total fine of $200,000.

Province calls on Feds to help replace Prince Rupert’s aged water system

Province calls on Feds to help replace Prince Rupert’s aged water system

The province supports the need for dire infrastructure repairs in Prince Rupert and called on the federal government to help pay for the replacement of the city’s aging water infrastructure in a letter dated Jan. 9. The letter detailed the critical need for infrastructure repairs after the recent state of emergency declared in Prince Rupert and main breaks more than doubling in 2022 over 2021. The correspondence further explained since Dec. 16, the city had experienced five water main breaks and 21 service breaks throughout the municipality due to aged pipes.

Opposition parties call for extension to deadline for military tainted water compensation

Opposition parties call for extension to deadline for military tainted water compensation

The deadline for military members and their families to apply for compensation after drinking contaminated water is approaching fast — and federal opposition parties are urging Ottawa not to block an application for an extension. Some current and former members and their families who lived in CFB Valcartier's married quarters from 1995 to 2000 could be eligible for thousands of dollars in compensation — if they apply before the Jan.15 deadline.

Millions at risk of flooding as fierce storm lashes California

Millions at risk of flooding as fierce storm lashes California

At least 14 people have died in California as a fierce storm brings torrential downpours, high winds and flooding to the state. Thousands of people have evacuated their homes, while millions more are under severe weather warnings. Nearly 188,000 homes and businesses were without electricity, according to data from Poweroutage.us. Heavy rain is forecast to last much of the state throughout Tuesday, with some areas at risk of dangerous mudslides.

What are atmospheric rivers?

What are atmospheric rivers?

Atmospheric rivers may sound like a description in a travel blog, but these phenomena cause serious damage. They occur when water evaporates into the air and is carried along by the wind, forming long currents that flow in the sky like rivers flow on land. They can cause severe rains and mountain snow. Atmospheric rivers are partly to blame for the torrential rains in California last week, and another one is expected to hit on Monday.

Why California's storm is unlikely to reverse its drought

Why California's storm is unlikely to reverse its drought

California - one of the driest states in the US - is being inundated with torrential rain and flooding. And given the decades-long drought in the region, which has led to restrictions on water usage in some areas, you might be wondering if this extreme weather could in some ways be a positive. But the downpour is unlikely to have a big impact on the drought. In fact, experts say it would take consecutive years of severe wet weather to reverse it in the long-term.

Ontario's Ministry of Environment 'highly concerned' about Hamilton's new sewage leak

Ontario's Ministry of Environment 'highly concerned' about Hamilton's new sewage leak

Ontario's Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) says it is "highly concerned" to hear about yet another instance of sewage flowing straight into the Hamilton Harbour. This comes after the city of Hamilton announced Monday it learned 11 homes near Rutherford Avenue and Myrtle Avenue in Ward 3 have been flushing their wastewater straight into Lake Ontario since 1996. The exact amount of sewage is unclear.

Sudbury has old water pipes with leakage rates as high as 47%

Sudbury has old water pipes with leakage rates as high as 47%

Greater Sudbury has the oldest system of underground water pipes among similar cities in Canada, according to a new report headed to a city committee next week. While overall leakage rates are about average in Sudbury, in the Levack area it was 47 per cent, meaning almost half of the drinking water processed in the area was being lost. More recently, a very large leak was uncovered in the Levack system that was largely responsible for the problem.

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