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

Alberta

Watershed groups express concern over water levels as Alberta looks for solutions

Watershed groups express concern over water levels as Alberta looks for solutions

As Alberta grapples with low rivers, dry fields and minimal snowpack, the provincial government is asking for help with its drought modelling for next year. Concerns about water levels are being echoed by watershed groups in the province, as a sustained period of drier-than-average conditions have taken a toll on reserves. The Alberta government recently issued a request for proposals to help conduct modelling throughout the winter, and to work with municipalities, farmers, water users and others to find ways to maximize the province's water supply in the South Saskatchewan River Basin. 

'Killer Water': The Toxic Truth About Alberta's Oil Sands Canada is Hiding

'Killer Water': The Toxic Truth About Alberta's Oil Sands Canada is Hiding

Canada’s multibillion dollar tar sands industry in Alberta is a climate wrecking force with immense sway over Canadian politics. ‘Killer Water,’ a new documentary produced in partnership with The Real News, Ricochet Media, and IndigiNews, exposes the long-hidden truths of Big Oil’s operations on the health and environment of local First Nations communities.

TikTok video sparks discussion on dry skin solutions for Alberta newcomers

TikTok video sparks discussion on dry skin solutions for Alberta newcomers

Southern Alberta has seen some of the most exceptional drought in the country over the last few months — so it's no surprise that these conditions can possibly lead to dry and sensitive skin. This is especially so for newcomers to the province, like University of Calgary graduate Elisha Banerjee. "I was used to the cold, that was the part that was easy, it was the dry that I was not prepared for," she said.

Proposal to expand Alberta coal mine faces pushback after string of wastewater releases

Proposal to expand Alberta coal mine faces pushback after string of wastewater releases

An environmental group says a coal company's application to deepen its open-pit mine shouldn't be considered while it's under investigation over wastewater releases into local rivers. The Alberta Wilderness Association says CST Canada Coal in Grande Cache, Alta., must prove it can operate safely before the provincial regulator looks at its request.

UCalgary awarded 2 prestigious Canada Excellence Research Chairs

UCalgary awarded 2 prestigious Canada Excellence Research Chairs

Deborah McGregor is an internationally celebrated scholar and Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Environmental Justice. She joins UCalgary from York University, where she was cross-appointed to the Osgoode Hall Law School and the Faculty of Environment and Urban Change. As the CERC in Indigenous Ways of Climate and Water Sustainability for Planetary Health and Well-being, McGregor will generate understanding of, and build support for, Indigenous leadership in Earth-based reconciliation and justice, focusing on climate change as the overriding symptom of the planetary health crisis.

Lack of snow driving concerns about water shortages in Calgary area

Lack of snow driving concerns about water shortages in Calgary area

Alberta’s environment minister says it’s not an emergency yet, but a deep snowpack and heavy spring rains may be needed to avoid serious water problems in the new year. Doug Vaessen explains.

A tsunami in Jasper? How falling ice nearly caused a 'mass casualty' event

A tsunami in Jasper? How falling ice nearly caused a 'mass casualty' event

A federally funded research project is underway to find out if B.C. and Alberta are at risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF) due to climate change. The Weather Network's Connor O'Donavon has more on why GLOF represents a major hazard and how it can result in significant loss of life. Picture a wall of water suddenly rushing down a mountain valley towards you, giving you just seconds to react. That’s just what happened in 2012 at Mount Edith Cavell in Jasper National Park when the hanging Ghost Glacier fell into the glacial lake below. 

What low water levels in Edmonton could mean for fish this winter

What low water levels in Edmonton could mean for fish this winter

With multiple bodies of water under water shortage advisories after a dry start to the month, some fish in Edmonton could be facing a tough winter. Clearwater River, Sturgeon River and the Whitemud and Blackmud creeks currently have water shortage advisories. These are imposed when stream flows or lake or reservoir levels are lower than normal.

Less snowpack, low rainfall, higher demand. Experts offer answers on low water levels in Lethbridge

Less snowpack, low rainfall, higher demand. Experts offer answers on low water levels in Lethbridge

Water levels in the Oldman River reservoir are the lowest they've ever been since its construction in the early 1990s. The reservoir and the river are responsible for supplying water to a number of local communities, including Lethbridge. The City of Lethbridge said in a release that while there's no immediate danger of being left without an adequate supply of drinkable water in the city, the lower-than-average water levels across southern Alberta is something they are watching closely.

Calgary lifts its outdoor water restrictions as cold weather expected to reduce use

Calgary lifts its outdoor water restrictions as cold weather expected to reduce use

The City of Calgary says it is lifting its outdoor water restrictions, but it's still asking residents to use water wisely. Officials say the restrictions, which have been in effect for two months, will be removed Tuesday. They were implemented in mid-August due to record low flows in the Bow and Elbow rivers that supply the city and other downstream communities across the Prairies.

Repairs underway after sewer, water line ruptures cause water supply chaos in Cochrane

Repairs underway after sewer, water line ruptures cause water supply chaos in Cochrane

Five days after a contractor damaged water and sewer lines that forced a community near Calgary to declare a state of emergency, repairs are underway. On Oct. 21, the City of Cochrane revealed that an unnamed contractor, doing work to twin the town’s sewer line, “impacted” sewage and water lines while preparing to drill. The two ruptures sent sewage and water into the Bow River, Cochrane and Calgary’s water source. The significant loss of water reduced the town’s water availability.

Town of Cochrane says reservoir levels no longer critically low

Town of Cochrane says reservoir levels no longer critically low

The Town of Cochrane says its reservoir levels are no longer critically low. In a statement Wednesday night, the town said water conservation efforts and water hauling from Rocky View County and Calgary are making a difference. But more than a dozen homes have no water as repairs continue on ruptured lines. A handful of businesses are also cut off.

Cochrane water reservoir levels stabilized but 'not out of the woods yet,' say officials

Cochrane water reservoir levels stabilized but 'not out of the woods yet,' say officials

While Cochrane remains under a state of emergency, town officials announced water reservoir levels have been partially restored after a major pipeline break over the weekend. Speaking to the media Wednesday, emergency management deputy director Shawn Polley said that thanks to voluntary conservation efforts from residents and business, as well as water hauling from nearby communities, reservoir levels had "stabilized." 

Alberta town trucks in water in case of emergency after sewage leak affects supply

Alberta town trucks in water in case of emergency after sewage leak affects supply

A town west of Calgary says it continues to truck in water from other communities to maintain its required levels. The Town of Cochrane has declared a local state of emergency after an accident Saturday affected its water and wastewater pipelines, causing sewage to flow into the Bow River. Officials in both Cochrane and Calgary, which draw water from the river, say the drinking water remains safe.

Cochrane declares state of emergency as water reservoirs fall to 'critical levels'

Cochrane declares state of emergency as water reservoirs fall to 'critical levels'

Cochrane has declared a state of local emergency after water line breaks drained the town’s water supply — alongside sewage — into the Bow River, and town officials are pleading with residents to cut back on water use. At a news conference Tuesday, town officials said the effects of the break in water and wastewater lines Saturday have depleted water reservoirs to “critical levels.”

Town of Cochrane declares local state of emergency after line break

Town of Cochrane declares local state of emergency after line break

The Town of Cochrane has declared a local state of emergency as it copes with the aftermath of a major pipeline break over the weekend that has left its water reservoirs at critical levels. During a news conference on Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Jeff Genung said he signed off on the declaration because it gives the town legal authority to take "extraordinary actions" to deal with what he called the crisis at hand.

Sewer line break in Cochrane causes discharge into Bow River

Sewer line break in Cochrane causes discharge into Bow River

A main sewer line break occurred yesterday in the town of Cochrane, causing an overland sewage discharge that flowed into the Bow River at the Highway 22 bridge. Cochrane drinking water is not affected by the sewage and remains safe to drink. Stacy Loe is the executive director of protective and community services for Cochrane. She said the town found out about the problem at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

New river channel breathes life into Inglewood Bird Sanctuary

New river channel breathes life into Inglewood Bird Sanctuary

A new channel carrying river water to the lagoon in the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is expected to revitalize a key wildlife habitat. The southeast park was heavily damaged by the 2013 flood on the Bow River. Since then, there have been cleanups and a rebuilding of the park infrastructure. A study was done to come up with ways to revitalize the area and enhance things like flood and erosion control. The plan included constructing a new channel that carries water from the Bow to the sanctuary's lagoon.

Summer's over, but Calgary still has water restrictions in place. Here's why

Summer's over, but Calgary still has water restrictions in place. Here's why

While the outdoor watering restrictions implemented in Calgary on Aug. 15 have already saved an estimated 1.1 billion litres of water, they aren't going away any time soon, say city officials. In order to get through what climate models are predicting to be a dry winter, the City of Calgary is planning to keep outdoor water restrictions in place for the time being, to prevent water stores from dropping too low come spring. 

Alberta Energy Regulator followed rules in Kearl mine wastewater release, report finds

Alberta Energy Regulator followed rules in Kearl mine wastewater release, report finds

A third-party report into the release of millions of litres of oilsands wastewater at Imperial Oil's Kearl mine has found the Alberta Energy Regulator followed its rules in keeping the public and area First Nations informed — but concludes those rules are significantly lacking. "There were no areas of non-adherence to stated policies and procedures," says the Deloitte report, prepared for the regulator's board.

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