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.
A joint investment of more than $1.7 million dollars to support two green projects in Saskatchewan has been announced. According to a release, Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, PrairiesCan and CanNor on behalf of Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities and Saskatchewan’s Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Laura Ross new funding will support upgrades to the Danielson Provincial Park sewage lagoon to ensure it complies with regulatory requirements.
The project will include the construction of a raw-water line to treat groundwater in Osoyoos, which is not currently treated and is high in manganese. The province said these upgrades will allow the water to be properly disinfected with chlorine and ultraviolet systems. The upgrades are expected to meet the Guidelines of Canadian Drinking Water Quality and Interior Health’s drinking water standards.
A federal investment of more than $5.5 million will also go toward upgrading the Berens River First Nation water treatment plant. The infrastructure upgrades include the extension of the electrical system, mechanical equipment and reservoir and the replacement of the water intake. These upgrades will increase access to potable water and accommodate the long-term growth of the community.
Fredericton councillors have agreed in principle to hold off on a rate increase to residents' water bills next year, despite concerns that doing so will put the city behind on needed infrastructure upgrades. City treasurer Alicia Keating, who laid out the proposed 2023 water and sewer budget during a meeting Tuesday night, recommended the move. The city has in recent years been hiking water rates annually by about five per cent to help replace underground pipes and other aging infrastructure.
The average Hamilton home will be charged $39.05 more for water next year, but city officials insist the increase is necessary to do infrastructure upgrades, handle climate change, and clean up Hamilton Harbour. City council approved a 4.98 per cent increase to local water bills Wednesday, despite numbers that show people are getting better at conserving water. And Hamilton Water staff predict even steeper increases every year until 2026.
Town council has approved a bid from a company to construct a model for its water infrastructure project. Council voted in favour of directing staff to accept a bid from WSP Canada Inc. for the development and calibration of a water distribution system model for $162,872. The bid was significantly higher than the one submitted by Triton, something Mayor Allan Alls noted. “I must admit, when I first saw the difference in money, I was concerned,” Alls said. “When you read the report, you see Triton wasn’t offering all the services that WSP was offering.”
Fredericton city council is once again considering a water rate hike for the new year, which will add an estimated $1.75 to the average monthly residential water bill. City staff presented the water and sewer budget to council on Monday night as part of the city's annual budget process. Staff recommended the increase so the city could keep up with infrastructure upgrades.
