chemical

B.C. stream watchers link 'unprecedented' coho salmon kill to tire toxin and drought

B.C. stream watchers link 'unprecedented' coho salmon kill to tire toxin and drought

John Barker has been volunteering with the West Vancouver Streamkeeper Society for more than 20 years and says he's never seen anything like it, dozens of coho salmon, pre-spawn and silvery, looking fresh from the sea, dead at the mouth of Brothers Creek. "When you have a loss like this, it's devastating,'' said Barker.

Venice authorities discover why canal turned fluorescent green

Venice authorities discover why canal turned fluorescent green

A mysterious patch of fluorescent green water that appeared in Venice's famed Grand Canal Sunday was caused by a chemical commonly used in underwater construction to help identify leaks, environmental authorities say. The chemical – fluorescein – is non-toxic. It remains unclear how the substance ended up in the canal, but the Regional Agency for the Environment in Venice (ARPAV) said given the volume released it was unlikely to be an accident.

What people should be aware of when using a humidifier

What people should be aware of when using a humidifier

Humidifiers are designed to help you breathe better, but depending on the type you have and the water you use, it might also be affecting your air quality at home. "It's not that I am saying humidifiers (are) completely bad for people. It's just we should be aware that the water quality we put into the humidifier is directly reflecting the quality of the indoor air you're breathing," said Ran Zhao, an assistant professor of Environment Chemistry at University of Alberta.

Current Water Technologies Receives $645,300 in Sales of Automated Pumping Systems

Current Water Technologies Receives $645,300 in Sales of Automated Pumping Systems

Current Water Technologies Inc. (TSX-V: WATR) (“CWTI” or “the Company” or “the Corporation“), an emerging technology leader in the management of industrial and municipal wastewaters and drinking water resources, provides a corporate update. Since the start of January 2023, the Company has received purchase orders totalling $645,300 for custom designed and built, state-of-the-art automated storm water pumping stations to be installed in Western Canada.

Former residents of Quebec military base must apply for compensation for contaminated water before Jan. 15

Former residents of Quebec military base must apply for compensation for contaminated water before Jan. 15

It took Ed Sweeney more than 20 years to discover he was drinking contaminated water in his family home in the 90s. He lived in military housing on Canadian Forces Base Valcartier from 1992 to 1998. A friend reached out to him last year on Facebook about how he could receive compensation from the federal government and two private companies as part of a multimillion-dollar contaminated water case in Shannon, Que.

Fish-eradication project in Miramichi has begun, opponents say

Fish-eradication project in Miramichi has begun, opponents say

The project to eradicate invasive smallmouth bass from Miramichi Lake by using rotenone is now underway, according to people who oppose the plan. On Thursday, Indigenous opponents of the project were again canoeing on the lake to prevent workers from pouring the toxin into the water. This is what prevented the project from going ahead last year, because the chemical can't be applied when there are people on the water. There are also unconfirmed reports of an arrest. According to multiple sources, including opponent and cottage-owner Barb Hildebrand, one of the people camping on the beach in the hopes of waylaying the project was arrested by provincial peace officers Thursday and accused of theft.

Epcor to add lead-reducing chemical to Edmonton's water in 2023, two years behind schedule

Epcor to add lead-reducing chemical to Edmonton's water in 2023, two years behind schedule

Levels of lead in drinking water city-wide should begin dropping in early 2023 when orthophosphate is added at Edmonton’s water treatment plant, two years later than initially promised. Epcor announced Thursday the odourless, colourless chemical will be added to city water by early 2023. Orthophosphate creates a protective barrier inside a pipe to prevent lead from leaching into the water. Around 4,200 Edmonton homes are currently serviced by lead pipes owned by Epcor, the utility said. Adding this treatment by the end of 2020 was promised as part of broader lead-reducing plans approved by city council in March 2019 around the time Health Canada reduced the concentration of lead in water allowed to five micrograms per litre from 10 micrograms per litre.

After decades of legal battles, residents of Shannon, Que., set to be compensated for contaminated water

After decades of legal battles, residents of Shannon, Que., set to be compensated for contaminated water

Stephan Gurgurewicz, a self-described army brat who grew up at the Canadian Forces Valcartier Base, says he's glad to have some form of closure. His father was stationed at the base near Quebec City from 1976 until his retirement in 1980, when the family moved to the neighbouring town of Shannon. Both his parents died of cancer, his father in 2004, and his mother last January.

Resident concerned by Roundup use near Guelph Lake

Resident concerned by Roundup use near Guelph Lake

A Guelph resident is concerned about the use of the herbicide Roundup near Guelph Lake after speaking to a worker applying the chemical in the area. Jesse Merrill explained he was driving back from dropping his son off at sailing camp for the day on Tuesday when he spotted a man spraying something on plants growing on the causeway crossing the lake. Through what Merrill termed “a very civil conversation,” he learned the chemical was Roundup and the worker was contracted by the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA).