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

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Fredericton considers hiking water rates as part of 2024 budget process

Fredericton considers hiking water rates as part of 2024 budget process

The City of Fredericton is looking to raise water and sewer rates for residents next year following this year's freeze in rates. The increase, if ultimately approved by councillors, would see the monthly bill for the average Fredericton household go from $73.47 to $78.17 per month, said Alicia Keating, the city's treasurer. "Not everyone is going to see the same rate change based on your bill — what you consume and what you don't — but when we look at the total average customer base of what we have, they'll see an average increase of four and a half dollars to their monthly sewer rate," said Keating, speaking during a council-in-committee open budget meeting on Tuesday.

Humboldt household receives $750 water bill

Humboldt household receives $750 water bill

The City of Humboldt has given a one-time discount to a household who reported an unusually large water bill in June at around $750 – 113.3 cubic metres. Peter Bergquist, Humboldt’s director of public works and utilities, said instances like this one typically happen between three to five times a year. When occurrences like this are reported, the city uses an informal policy of a one-time discount which includes a discount that gives the excess water consumption at Saskwater cost (currently $3.8063/m³) rather than the retail charged (retail $5.28/m³), as well as a discount that gives the excess sanitary consumption at $0/m³, rather than the retail charge of $0.77/m³.

OTTAWA, CANADA, HELPS RESIDENTS CUT STORM WATER RUNOFF

OTTAWA, CANADA, HELPS RESIDENTS CUT STORM WATER RUNOFF

Ottawa, Canada is offering to pay to improve some homeowners' properties. The aim is to do a better job of managing rain water, reported Ottawa Citizen. The city will provide grants for some homeowners to help cover a portion of the costs related to adding redirection devices for downspouts or installing rain gardens, soakaway pits and permeable paving, according to Ottawa Citizen. Certified landscape design is also be eligible for a grant. Ottawa is capping the maximum grant at $5,000 per household.

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