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.
As always, visitors and residents are reminded to never drink or cook with untreated water directly from any recreational body of water, including Pine Lake, at any time. AHS says boiling of this water will not remove the toxins produced by blue-green algae. An alternate source of drinking water should also be provided for pets and livestock while this advisory is active.
Alberta Health Services issued a water quality advisory on Friday for Chestermere Lake because of elevated levels of fecal bacteria. AHS says people should not swim or wade in the water at Anniversary Park Beach, Cove Park Beach or Sunset Park Beach, effective immediately. Contact with the water could result in gastrointestinal illness. Skin, ear and eye infections are also possible. Water-borne organisms, including fecal bacteria, can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
About 100 homes in Fort McKay, Alta., are under a boil-water advisory after a water-line break caused the northern community's water distribution system to lose pressure. Residents didn't have access to water for part of Sunday. Alberta Health Services (AHS) and Indigenous Services Canada issued boil-water advisories, with AHS describing the issue as a water-line break.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) is picking a side when it comes to water fluoridation in the city. The question will be on municipal ballots come Monday, and in a release, AHS says to vote yes. Dr. Rafael Figueiredo, the Provincial Dental Public Health Officer and Dr. Nick Etches, the Acting Zone Lead Medical Officer of Health for the Calgary Zone put out a release indicating AHS’ support. “AHS endorses community water fluoridation as a foundational public health measure to prevent tooth decay, improve oral health and reduce inequities within communities,” AHS said.
