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.
Hydrogen uses water as a feedstock, so production requires a dependable supply. Water, obviously, is vital for life, from drinking, to crops, to creating and sustaining ecosystems. Given how important it is to the one million-plus people who live in the capital region, we can’t allow industrial use to trump municipal use, or the critical agricultural sector that feeds our communities.
The Bioenergy and Bioproducts Research Lab on the Agricultural Campus focuses on converting abundantly available and low-valued biomass waste into high-value materials for environmental remediation applications, primarily on wastewater treatment. “We are working with organic waste and turning it into something useful,” says Sophie He, Department of Engineering. For example, Dr. He and her team are converting spent coffee grounds, flax shives, barley straw and sawdust to biofuels or biocarbon materials.
Rainmaker Worldwide Inc. (OTC: RAKR) (“Rainmaker” or “Company” or “RAKR”), a global leader in water solutions, has announced the addition of key resources to its global operations team. Viva Industries, an investment company owned by entrepreneurs Michael Skinner, John Gillis, and Ryan Moore, will acquire a controlling interest in the Canadian subsidiary of Rainmaker Worldwide Inc., and will re-name it Rainmaker Canada & Caribbean Inc. (“RCCI”). This acquisition will allow Rainmaker to focus on the growth of its global business while the Viva Industries team drives the growth of the Canadian and Caribbean markets.
The first project supports wastewater treatment and collection system upgrades in the County of Kings. A wastewater treatment facility will be improved to increase capacity and accommodate future growth. Four lift stations will be replaced, and another new lift station will be built. The project includes a 1.35-km gravity sewer infrastructure extension. The purpose is to increase the overall efficiency of the system and support new, higher density housing development.
Dr. Amina Stoddart, a professor in Dalhousie’s Department of Civil and Resource Engineering, is applying her expertise in wastewater treatment to help advance the state of the art in water utilities. In 2020, Dr. Stoddart was awarded a highly competitive, internationally peer-reviewed 3-year, $1 million Collaborative Research and Development (CRD) Grant with Halifax Water from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) focused on wastewater surveillance and wastewater treatment optimization. This award is one of the largest CRD grants ever awarded to a faculty member at Dalhousie University. The goal of her research is to improve the effluent quality of the wastewater systems operated by Halifax Water. Through a series of studies Dr. Stoddart and her research team will identify chemical treatment optimizations, illuminate fouling mechanisms, test new technologies for disinfection, and assess discharge of contaminants of emerging concern, including microplastics.
Water and wastewater treatment "Access to safe drinking water is a fundamental of community life," said Joanasie. "As communities grow and regulations change, so do the demands on our existing, aging infrastructure." A total of $31 million is being put toward improvements in water and wastewater infrastructure improvements in seven communities. The project allocations are as follows: $187,000 to design a water treatment plant to replace the current pump house in Arctic Bay. $2,091,000 for the construction of a new water treatment plant in Grise Fiord. $698,000 for construction work to complete upgrades to the water intake in Kugluktuk. $188,000 to begin design of a new water treatment plant in Pond Inlet. $275,000 to proceed with the design of a wastewater treatment plant to adequately treat both piped and trucked wastewater in Resolute Bay. $188,000 to begin design on a new water treatment plant in Sanikiluaq. $450,000 to begin design work on upgrades and new sewage lagoon to treat wastewater in Sanikiluaq.
Fifteen communities will receive support for water, wastewater, stormwater and solid waste projects through the Provincial Capital Assistance Program, the Province announced today, August 26. “Access to safe drinking water and wastewater treatment are vital for strong, healthy communities,” said Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables and MLA for Cumberland South, on behalf of Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister John Lohr.
From roads and buildings, to water and wastewater systems – reliable infrastructure is key to building stronger communities. Investments in safer and more efficient wastewater treatment helps keep our communities healthy, green and sustainable. Today, Wayne Long, Member of Parliament for Saint John—Rothesay, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, and Alexander (Sandy) Ross, Chief Executive Officer of the Saint John Airport Authority, announced funding for important upgrades to the Saint John Airport Wastewater Treatment Facility.
The Yukon’s allocation of federal ‘gas tax’ funding has grown to $18 million this year, with nearly $1 million already slotted for projects, according to the Yukon government. Unincorporated communities will receive about $1 million of the fund. “These funds are allocated to projects based on need,” said Bonnie Venton Ross, spokesperson for Community Services, in an email.
The province is investing more than $4.6 million for an energy system to supply heating, cooling and hot water for the new Cogswell District redevelopment area in downtown Halifax. The system, the first in eastern Canada, will supply renewable energy generated by Halifax Water’s nearby wastewater effluent treatment facility, to six mixed-use buildings. “This is a prime example of how innovative technologies can help communities meet their energy needs in more efficient and environmentally friendly ways,” said Labi Kousoulis, Minister of Inclusive Economic Growth, on behalf of Energy and Mines Minister Chuck Porter. “It is the first system of its kind in eastern Canada and will help Nova Scotia achieve its bold climate change targets.”
Almost $50 million will be poured into water projects by the Province of Manitoba. Officials announced Manitoba will invest nearly $50 million in critical water and wastewater services projects under the Manitoba Restart Program “These projects are significant capital works that support the ongoing supply of clean water and wastewater treatment in our municipalities and parks,” said Derek Johnson, municipal relations minister, in a statement. “Our government is committed to growing Manitoba’s economy and protecting Manitobans, and these investments will help create jobs and improve the safety and well-being of our communities.”
The federal government seeks feedback on whether the objectives outlined in the Discussion Paper are the right objectives for the government to pursue and input on which objectives should be prioritized. Input is sought from provinces, territories, Indigenous peoples, local authorities, the private sector, non-government organizations, and the public. Feedback will inform the federal government's next steps in implementing the CWA. The deadline for providing feedback on the Discussion Paper is March 1, 2021. Information about where to send responses is provided in the Discussion Paper. In January 2021, the federal government will host a virtual national freshwater policy forum. A series of regional forums will be held in February 2021 to provide further opportunities for Canadians to participate in consultations on the Discussion Paper.
WEST VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 27, 2019 /CNW/ - The governments of Canadaand British Columbia are investing in modern reliable water services to build healthy sustainable communities where families can thrive today and for years to come. Today, Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for West Vancouver–Sunshine Coast–Sea to Sky Country, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; and Sheila Malcolmson, Parliamentary Secretary for Environment and Member of the Legislative Assembly for Nanaimo, on behalf of the Honourable Selina Robinson, B.C. Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, announced funding for 15 projects to improve drinking water and wastewater services for residents across British Columbia.
