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.
“On Wednesday, June 7, during a routine water source inspection on Meares Island in the Haahuulthii of the Tla-o-qui-aht Ha’wiih, crews identified a leak,” the statement reads. “In order to isolate and repair the leak, water distribution will be impacted, and a partial shutdown of our water system is required between the hours of 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 8. We are asking residents and businesses to restrict their use of water during this period.”
Persistent dry and hot conditions on British Columbia's coast led the provincial government to raise all of Vancouver Island as well as the Haida Gwaii basin to drought level 3 on Saturday. People who live in eastern and western Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii are being asked to reduce their water consumption wherever possible and to respect watering restrictions issued by local and regional governments, water utility providers or irrigation districts. "The high temperatures, consistent sunshine and lack of recent rain have increased water temperatures in numerous Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii streams," B.C.'s Ministry of Forests said in a news release.
Smart meters have been a target of conversation since a bylaw change during the July 11, 2022, city council meeting. The change amended the sewer and water utility bylaw so contractors can enter private properties to perform the meter installation. This bylaw was changed to ensure homeowners cannot reject the device. The bylaw is expected to be amended by September.
A multimillion-dollar water treatment facility is expected to come to the west side pulp and paper mill five years after its owner Irving Pulp & Paper, Limited was fined for environmental violations. More than $150 million worth of environmental upgrades were announced by Irving Pulp & Paper, Limited this week. The proposed upgrades include a new environmental treatment facility, as well as a cooling water heat exchanger and pumphouse closer to the mill.
Residents downstream from Peterborough may want to boil their water, after heavy rainfall has led to a discharge of partially-treated sewage into the Otonabee River. On Thursday, Sept. 23, around 1 p.m., the city’s Twitter account posted a notice saying that due to current water conditions, the city water treatment plant had to “start a temporary, partial bypass.” "This means that some partially treated sewage is being discharged to the Otonabee River," reads the Tweet.
Officials with the City of Enderby are asking residents to reduce their water consumption on the morning of Aug. 11. That includes no irrigation or pressure washing, although hand-watering is fine. The request comes in an effort to reduce non-essential water use to allow the city to take the water treatment plant offline temporarily and still ensure enough water supply.
Homeowners, farmers and businesses in and around the southern Manitoba town of Morden are working to adapt to extreme drought conditions brought on by intense heat and a lack of precipitation in recent months. And while it might be an eyebrow-raising sight to see watering still going on at the Minnewasta Golf and Country Club, the club says it's worked up a plan to funnel thousands of litres of town wastewater to the course, allowing it to keep watering tee boxes and greens and not Lake Minnewasta, where drinking water comes from.
