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

equipment failure

How undrinkable water in Indigenous Canadian communities pushed this 17-year-old activist to confront Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

How undrinkable water in Indigenous Canadian communities pushed this 17-year-old activist to confront Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Autumn Peltier was just 8 years old when she saw a sign at a Canadian First Nation reservation near her own warning people not to drink the water because it was toxic. Her mother explained to her that it had become contaminated due to problems with the water system that range from waterline breaks and equipment failure to the presence of toxic heavy metals or parasites and bacteria. She learned that some Indigenous people have to boil their water to drink it, while for others, even boiling their water won't make it safe enough to consume.

Unknown quantity of untreated sewage released into Hamilton harbour

Unknown quantity of untreated sewage released into Hamilton harbour

Untreated Hamilton wastewater was discharged into the harbour Sunday night after an equipment failure at the city's Woodward Avenue wastewater treatment plant. That day's heavy rains, which continued into Monday morning, led the plant to be overwhelmed with water. In those cases, the plant enters "bypass mode," during which some of the excess water is released into the harbour.

Is Drinking Tap Water Safe?

Is Drinking Tap Water Safe?

The debate between drinking tap water or bottled water seems to be endless. In most parts of the United States and Canada, it’s safe to drink tap water from public water systems. Tap water that’s been properly filtered is equally safe as bottled water and provides you with essential minerals you may not get from bottled water. Even though it’s usually safe to drink tap water, it’s still a good idea to keep an eye out for local water advisories in your area. Situations like a broken water line or equipment failure at the water treatment plant can lead to temporary contamination.

Boil water advisory issued in Standoff

Boil water advisory issued in Standoff

Residents of Standoff are advised that they should boil their water before drinking or cooking. Indigenous Services Canada says there has been an equipment failure at the Standoff Public Water Supply, resulting in a pressure loss in the distribution system. They are telling the public to boil water for at least one minute prior to drinking, making infant formula, brushing teeth, washing fruits or vegetables, or making ice. Tap water is still safe for handwashing, but people should be careful with showering.

Canada Is Trying Again to Provide Safe Drinking Water to Indigenous Communities

Canada Is Trying Again to Provide Safe Drinking Water to Indigenous Communities

Canada may not be on track to achieve its self-imposed goal of ensuring access to clean water to all Indigenous communities by the end of this month, but the government says the issue sits among its top priorities. At a news conference in Ottawa on Monday, Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller unveiled a new strategy designed to lift all remaining boil water advisories across the country.

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