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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At the 'tail end' of 2021 flood recovery, Fort Simpson, N.W.T., looks to the future

At the 'tail end' of 2021 flood recovery, Fort Simpson, N.W.T., looks to the future

On a sunny Tuesday evening in Fort Simpson, N.W.T., Derek and Julia Erasmus cook up a dinner of waffles and sausages as their two young daughters play outside.  Watching them, you wouldn't know just how difficult the past two years have been. They were one of 10 families who lost their house when the community flooded in 2021. "It's kind of just a huge life-changing event," Derek said. "We kind of thought we were going to retire in that house some day … then those plans were all gone after that."

Espanola residents asked to monitor for illness after drinking-water system issue

Espanola residents asked to monitor for illness after drinking-water system issue

A mechanical problem at the Town of Espanola's water treatment plant has created an exposure risk for cryptosporidium, an intestinal parasite that can cause gastrointestinal symptoms through a condition called cryptosporidiosis. The Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA), which operates the plant, said it was beginning a root-cause analysis of the entire facility to figure out why the mechanical error occurred.

Oil spill on Sudbury's Ramsey Lake doesn't pose risk to drinking water, says health unit Social Sharing

Oil spill on Sudbury's Ramsey Lake doesn't pose risk to drinking water, says health unit Social Sharing

An oil spill that started at a home along Ramsey Lake in Sudbury, Ont., has since reached the shoreline, said Public Health Sudbury and Districts. The health unit said in a news release that the spill Jan. 14 started from the fuel oil tank of a home on Gennings Street near the lake. Public health said it immediately alerted the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, as well as people who lived nearby.

Millions at risk of flooding as fierce storm lashes California

Millions at risk of flooding as fierce storm lashes California

At least 14 people have died in California as a fierce storm brings torrential downpours, high winds and flooding to the state. Thousands of people have evacuated their homes, while millions more are under severe weather warnings. Nearly 188,000 homes and businesses were without electricity, according to data from Poweroutage.us. Heavy rain is forecast to last much of the state throughout Tuesday, with some areas at risk of dangerous mudslides.

Here's how to reduce the risk of cancer if you have arsenic in your well water

Here's how to reduce the risk of cancer if you have arsenic in your well water

A Memorial University researcher is urging well owners in Newfoundland to make lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of disease caused by arsenic exposure. Atanu Sarkar, an assistant professor in the Faculty of Medicine, says years or decades of drinking water contaminated by arsenic increases the risk of several cancers — including kidney, liver and lung cancer — due to epigenetic changes that occur during long-term exposure. "They're more prone to have cancer in [the] future," Sarkar said.

TransAlta sues Alberta government to prevent oilpatch fracking near hydro dam

TransAlta sues Alberta government to prevent oilpatch fracking near hydro dam

Calgary-based electricity producer TransAlta Corp. is suing the Alberta government and the Alberta Energy Regulator to prevent oil and gas companies from fracking near its largest hydroelectric dam in the province because the technique can cause earthquakes. The court action, which was filed in September in the Court of King's Bench of Alberta, takes place as two oil and gas companies have applied to frack within five kilometres of the dam. TransAlta is concerned about possible seismic activity causing damage to the Brazeau power plant, near Drayton Valley in central Alberta, as well as the loss of wildlife, habitat and human life.

Officials still monitoring Gatineau River, waters expected to soon recede

Officials still monitoring Gatineau River, waters expected to soon recede

Officials say they're still monitoring water levels along the Gatineau River but don't believe it will flood in the immediate Gatineau, Que., area in the short term. Many of the city's residents were bracing for water levels to surpass the area's flooding threshold, but on Friday officials downgraded the emergency alert level, saying they were now simply monitoring the situation.

Water recedes, flood risk subsides in Kashechewan First Nation

Water recedes, flood risk subsides in Kashechewan First Nation

The water has receded near Kashechewan First Nation, which has reduced the risk to the community. Discussions are now underway to return people home. The northern Ontario community experienced its annual spring flooding from the nearby Albany River. Hundreds of residents were flown to host communities: Kapuskasing, Thunder Bay and Val Rita-Harty. The risk to the community has subsided said Wilbert Wesley, emergency management services manager for Mushkegowuk Council. He is also the custodian helping the First Nation during its evacuation phase.

B.C. residents urged to prepare for floods and wildfire

B.C. residents urged to prepare for floods and wildfire

British Columbians are asked to prepare for natural disasters ahead of this year’s spring freshet and wildfire season. B.C. government officials said there are a number of steps you can take to make sure you are ready in the event of a disaster. “As we’ve seen in recent years, from wildfires to floods, many households in the province are uninsured or underinsured for the hazards we face in British Columbia, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. Provincial government officials recommend purchasing flood and fire insurance to ensure you have some financial protection.

Saskatchewan's plan to build small nuclear reactors draws mixed reactions

Saskatchewan's plan to build small nuclear reactors draws mixed reactions

Saskatchewan's push to build small nuclear reactors in the province is drawing mixed reactions from academics and environmental groups, with some touting the clean energy potential while others say it's a threat to human safety. On Monday the province, along with representatives from Ontario, Alberta and New Brunswick, released the strategic plan for expanding nuclear power by building small modular reactors (SMR). The report said the nuclear reactors are safe, reliable and a source of "zero-emission energy."

Neighbours fear possible water contamination after Eastway Tank explosion

Neighbours fear possible water contamination after Eastway Tank explosion

A previous statement from the environment ministry stated the frozen ground and efforts by crews "greatly reduced the likelihood of contamination reaching the water table and entering local drinking water wells." However, residents are again raising their concerns after former employees came forward to allege the company dumped wastewater containing fuel into a ditch that runs alongside rail tracks behind the property.

Wade in the water

Wade in the water

Look closely at our history, culture, and lore, and you’ll find water at its heart. We are nestled between three oceans, and enjoy our lakes, rivers, and ponds year-round. And while we are raised in, on, and around it, recent years have hammered home the billions of reasons why we can’t ever take water for granted. A full 20 percent of the world’s freshwater lives here. Only about seven percent of it is renewable―coming into our rivers and lakes from rain and snowmelt―and climate change warnings have made clear that it is at risk. A recent UN report on climate change paints a grim picture globally of higher temperatures, extreme drought, and rising sea levels. And Canada isn’t immune—on June 29th this year, British Columbia recorded its hottest temperature in history. In fact, as Canada is warming on average at twice the rate as the rest of the world, its global role in water conservation is more important than ever.

Regina community associations urge City not to delay lead water line replacements

Regina community associations urge City not to delay lead water line replacements

Several Regina community associations are pushing the City of Regina to replace lead pipes in the city as soon as possible instead of spreading the project over 15 years. City council will consider approving administration’s recommendation to go with a 15-year lead service connection replacement program during Wednesday’s council meeting. This follows city council’s unanimous decision in 2019 to commit to replacing all lead service lines within five years.

Can Wall Street help us find the true price of water?

Can Wall Street help us find the true price of water?

Despite the apparent abundance of water in Canada, she said, low prices mean the best-quality water in many regions — such as Southern Ontario groundwater — is in increasingly short supply and is being overused. Roy Brouwer, executive director of the Water Institute at the University of Waterloo, said that when he came to Canada from the Netherlands five years ago, he was surprised by the low price and wasteful misuse of water in this country.

Future of Water | Adding capacity and resilience to Canadian dam

Future of Water | Adding capacity and resilience to Canadian dam

As the upgrade of Glenmore Dam draws to a close, NCEexplores how the Canadian structure has evolved to help reduce flood risk, while increasing its water supply capacity. Canada’s Glenmore Reservoir has become an important landmark in the city of Calgary, providing clean water, flood mitigation and a recreational setting for locals. The 3.8km2 reservoir is formed by a concrete dam, which has been the focus of a C$81M (£46M) improvement project. Approximately 320m long, Glenmore Dam is located on the Elbow River in south west Calgary. The structure was originally built in 1933 to supply drinking water and enable the city to cater for future population growth.

How microbes could help clean up Nova Scotia's abandoned mines

How microbes could help clean up Nova Scotia's abandoned mines

Researchers from three Maritime universities are hoping microbes collected from the bottom of a lake near an abandoned gold mine in Dartmouth, N.S., will provide a model for how to clean up contaminated sites across the province in a quicker and less-intrusive way. Last May, a research team took a boat to the middle of Lake Charles, not far from the former Montague gold mine, where extensive mining took place from 1860 to about 1940.

Lake water to be pumped into Cowichan River as severe drought threatens town's water supply

Lake water to be pumped into Cowichan River as severe drought threatens town's water supply

The town of Lake Cowichan on Vancouver Island will start using pumps to keep the local river flowing, due to one of the most severe droughts its watershed has experienced. Water from Cowichan Lake will start being pumped into the Cowichan River on Thursday. Catalyst Crofton, the company that will manage the process, says 11 droughts have plagued the Cowichan basin since 1998.

Plastic particles in drinking water present 'low' risk - WHO

Plastic particles in drinking water present 'low' risk - WHO

Microplastics contained in drinking water pose a “low” risk to human health at current levels, but more research is needed to reassure consumers, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday.
Studies over the past year on plastic particles detected in tap and bottled water have sparked public concerns but the limited data appears reassuring, the U.N. agency said its first report on potential health risks associated with ingestion.

Canada’s Indigenous pipe dream might end Trudeau’s Trans Mountain nightmare

Canada’s Indigenous pipe dream might end Trudeau’s Trans Mountain nightmare

An Indigenous-led group plans to offer to buy a majority stake in the Trans Mountain oil pipeline from the Canadian government this week or next, a deal that could help Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mitigate election-year criticism from environmentalists. The group, called Project Reconciliation, aims to submit the $6.9 billion offer as early as Friday, managing director Stephen Mason told Reuters, and start negotiations with Ottawa two weeks later. Project Reconciliation said the investment will alleviate First Nations poverty, a watershed for Indigenous people who have historically watched Canada’s resources enrich others.

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