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

minerals

Scientist drank water that is billions of years old and explained what it tastes like

Scientist drank water that is billions of years old and explained what it tastes like

Although most of us would gag at the thought of drinking water that’s been left sitting out for days on end unless we were desperate, the same can’t be said for the scientists involved in an incredible study. In 2013, scientists from the University of Toronto discovered the water over 1.5 miles beneath Earth’s surface, left isolated from the outside world for millennia in Timmins, Ontario, Canada. Most people would probably agree that this isn't a liquid for drinking, and is between 1.5 billion and 2.6 billion years old. But apparently professor Barbara Sherwood Lollar isn't most people. As lead researcher, Lollar tried the water and herself and judging by her reaction, it tasted just as nasty as it sounds.

Distilled Water Market Size to Surpass USD 654.12 Million with Growing CAGR of 8.00% by 2030, Market Share, Trends, Growth Strategies, Competitive Analysis and Regional Overview

Distilled Water Market Size to Surpass USD 654.12 Million with Growing CAGR of 8.00% by 2030, Market Share, Trends, Growth Strategies, Competitive Analysis and Regional Overview

Distilled water has produced when the water has been boiled into vapor and then condensed into liquid in a separate vessel. The impurities such as contaminants and minerals of the original water do not boil below boiling point or near the boiling point of water left in the original container. Therefore, distilled water is a type of purified water.

Salem Loop water and sewer project denied provincial funding

Salem Loop water and sewer project denied provincial funding

“Talk to anyone in Salem and they’ll tell you there is no good water,” Municipality of Pictou County Warden Robert Parker said. “You can drill 10 wells in one property and you’ll still not get good water.” The water that people do manage to tap into is often discoloured and has an odour from the minerals in the area. While it’s an aggravation to those living there, it creates a bigger issue, Parker says because it prevents people from wanting to move to the area.

Sparkling Water Market is Anticipated to Reach a valuation of USD 69.15 Bn by 2028 at 12.48% CAGR - Exclusive Report by Brandessence Market Research

Sparkling Water Market is Anticipated to Reach a valuation of USD 69.15 Bn by 2028 at 12.48% CAGR - Exclusive Report by Brandessence Market Research

Sparkling water, also known as carbonated water, is enriched with minerals such as magnesium, sodium, and calcium and hence offers a wide array of health benefits. It does not contain any form of sugar additive unlike other beverages. The regulation consumption of sparkling water relieves constipation, improves digestion, enhances swallowing ability while reducing the risk of heart diseases.

Municipal councillor, residents opposed to proposed infilling of Dartmouth Cove

Municipal councillor, residents opposed to proposed infilling of Dartmouth Cove

A major infilling project is proposed for Dartmouth Cove and the municipal councillor and area residents aren't happy about it. An area of water spanning more than three football fields would be filled with rock over a period of six years if the proposed project, which requires federal approval, is allowed to proceed. Coun. Sam Austin, the councillor for Dartmouth Centre, says residents are afraid their community will become a dumping ground.

Is your well doing well? Water well, that is.

Is your well doing well? Water well, that is.

With many residents of Woodlands County utilizing well water, the municipality hosted a virtual workshop on October 21 on managing wells. The event streamed live and enabled attendees to ask questions in real-time. Multiple specialists were on hand, including Jeff Hammer, a Public Health Inspector for Alberta Health Services. Hammer discussed the importance of testing water and why it’s essential to do so. “We have two types of tests available at the health units. One is a bacteriological bottle which we test for total Coliform and E. coli. Total Coliform is an indicator of bacteria, and E. coli is basically fecal matter which you never want to see. The other type of test we have is a chemical water sample. It does a bunch of minerals and metals and has some more health parameters associated with it.” Hammer said that some of the minerals and metals tested for include manganese, lead, arsenic, and the pH value of the water.

It's not just the smoke — as climate change prompts more wildfires, hidden health risks emerge

It's not just the smoke — as climate change prompts more wildfires, hidden health risks emerge

And though the risks from smoke are among the biggest worries, there are also less-obvious health concerns such as the impact on mental health and clean water to consider. The particles that waft into the air affect more than just physical health. Those particles also land on trees, plants, buildings and end up in water. Ash, sediment and minerals not only flow into streams and rivers, but also downstream into lakes and reservoirs, potentially affecting drinking water and contributing to algal blooms. The good news is that in Canada the water purification systems are able to filter them out for the most part. But the added strain on the system means that it may cost more to handle the higher level of contaminants.

Are water softeners worth it?

Are water softeners worth it?

Anyone who has stood fully dressed in the shower, scrubbing away annoying calcium build up, knows Calgary has hard water. The high concentration of minerals in the water is also responsible for spotty dishes, stiff laundry, icky soap scum and eroded tea kettles, not to mention dry skin and limp hair. Luckily, hard water isn’t unhealthy, but it can be a drain on the pocketbook.

West Saint John homes could link to new water supply in two weeks

West Saint John homes could link to new water supply in two weeks

People in six west Saint John neighbourhoods could have new drinking water in two weeks. Those areas; Randolph, Milford, Fundy Heights, Lower West, Duck Cove and Sand Cove, will be disconnected from the current groundwater well system and switched to treated water from the Loch Lomond Lakes on the city's east side as early as Feb. 12. City water commissioner Brent McGovern said there will be a changeover period of as much as two weeks during which water from both sources will be in the system.

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