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.
Trees filter air to reduce smog and pollution, capture and absorb water to prevent flooding, block the sun's rays to reduce heat islands and provide wildlife habitat to support biodiversity, says the city's urban forest strategy. Last month, council approved the city's plan to increase its urban canopy to 40 per cent by 2050, with a focus on planting more trees in areas that are lacking, like downtown, and keeping existing trees healthy.
As Canada continues to battle relentless forest fires, Thunder Bay's blue skies are sometimes turning grey with smoke from fires, both near and far. While the smoky air has created serious health risks for vulnerable groups, it is also putting the region's already at-risk waterways in jeopardy. According to Robert Stewart, an associate professor in the geography department at Lakehead University, the majority of the area's rivers are negatively affected by urbanization and storm water, but must now deal with the side effects of climate change.
The wastewater treatment system in Neepawa will also be expanded and upgraded to increase capacity to treat and manage wastewater and storm water. The federal and provincial investment of $4.2 million combined involves implementing a Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor system, upgrading the treatment building, and adding a lab, among other works.
Ottawa, Canada is offering to pay to improve some homeowners' properties. The aim is to do a better job of managing rain water, reported Ottawa Citizen. The city will provide grants for some homeowners to help cover a portion of the costs related to adding redirection devices for downspouts or installing rain gardens, soakaway pits and permeable paving, according to Ottawa Citizen. Certified landscape design is also be eligible for a grant. Ottawa is capping the maximum grant at $5,000 per household.
City officials have launched Toronto's largest and most significant storm water management program — the Don River and Central Waterfront and Connected Project — which will halt the flow of sewage into Lake Ontario and clean up waterways. The first phase of the five-phase project — the Coxwell Bypass Tunnel — will see a 10.5 kilometre long and 6.3 metre wide tunnel built at a cost of $400 million. The overall project is expected to cost $3 billion.
