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.
Epcor began adding orthophosphate at its two local water treatment plants last week, two years later than initially planned, the utility confirmed with Postmedia. This treatment will create protective coatings inside pipes to prevent lead from leaching into drinking water, both for Epcor’s pipes and those of private property owners, in hopes of making sure lead concentration in water citywide meets Health Canada’s standards. It’s expected to take up to six months to take full effect.
Alberta's government House leader is accusing federal officials of trespassing on private property, but the provincial justice department said there's no evidence of that occurring. "We are seeing federal employees trespass onto private land in Alberta and, as a result of that, we don't think that that's appropriate," Joseph Schow, government house leader and MLA for Cardston-Siksika, told reporters Wednesday.
Brink said at the time, her family made a few calls to find out what could be done, including to the Environment Department, but nothing much came of it. They tested their well water and the results showed it was safe. It wasn't until last year that Brink's daughter, Margret Holland, received the results of a freedom of information request and learned that the commercial property and her mother's property are contaminated with total petroleum hydrocarbons, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene.
Durham regional council has repealed a controversial policy which changed the way home sewer lines are maintained and repaired. Council voted Wednesday to undo the changes. Regional staff will once again be responsible for repairing sanitary sewer service connections on private property (up to one metre away from a home’s foundation).
The region is being directed to reimburse customers who paid for their own repairs.
A regional sewer system bylaw was changed in April 2022, making homeowners responsible (at the time) for the portion of each line that runs through their property.
While the City maintains its water infrastructure from the road to your property line, homeowners are responsible for maintaining the pipes on private property. There are a few tricks you can use to protect water service pipes on your own property, in between episodes of your favourite show! Here are a few you should know: Insulate all pipes located near exterior walls; Keep indoor air temperature above eight degrees Celsius throughout the winter; Seal air leaks in your home and garage, especially in areas where pipes are located; Visit ottawa.ca for additional tips to prevent frozen water service pipes
Thunder Bay residents can now get interest-free loans from the city to help cover the costs of removing lead water service pipes. Councillors unanimously approved a $1.3-million, interest-free loan program on Monday. The loans are available now and come in five-year terms (except for those who qualify for the city's tax and water rebate programs, who can get 10-year loans).
