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

The Barclay Construction Group Inc. agreed to pay $175K to the Environmental Damages Fund as part of an alternative measures agreement related to excavation work near Lake Ontario

The Barclay Construction Group Inc. agreed to pay $175K to the Environmental Damages Fund as part of an alternative measures agreement related to excavation work near Lake Ontario

Canadians value a safe and clean environment. Environment and Climate Change Canada's enforcement officers strive to ensure that individuals and companies comply with Canadian environmental laws. An alternative measures agreement has been concluded between the Government of Canada and The Barclay Construction Group Inc. As a result of the agreement, the company has agreed to pay $175,000 to the Government of Canada's Environmental Damages Fund. The agreement, as recommended by the court, was entered into as an alternative to prosecution of charges that had been laid by Environment and Climate Change Canada enforcement officers under the Fisheries Act. The charges, which have since been stayed, were related to an incident where sediment-contaminated water was deposited into Lake Ontario. 

No timeline for Iqaluit water crisis review, but minister commits to public release

No timeline for Iqaluit water crisis review, but minister commits to public release

Nunavut's health minister says one of the primary goals of a third-party review of the Iqaluit water crisis is to restore the public's confidence in the government. In an interview with CBC News, John Main committed to releasing as much information to the public as possible when the review is complete — although there's still no timeline for when such a review will even begin.

Valley water use challenges loom

Valley water use challenges loom

Water, water, everywhere. That may be the case elsewhere but the Okanagan Valley has always had its water challenges. The drier, southern part of the region sees an average of 250 mm of precipitation per year, while the northern part and higher elevations see an average of 400 mm per year. Kelowna Airport, for example, receives 298 mm of which 102 mm (34 per cent) falls as snow.

Quebec holds consultations on James Bay lithium mine with Cree of Eeyou Istchee

Quebec holds consultations on James Bay lithium mine with Cree of Eeyou Istchee

In the 279 page assessment, the authors outlined a number of concerns including, “Effects on fish and fish habitat resulting from the harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of habitat, particularly due to the gradual drying up of Kapisikama Lake, hydrological changes to the watercourses and changes in water quality,” the assessment said and added, “Effects on the wetlands due to their destruction or disturbance, caused by the development of mine infrastructure and the drawdown of the water table.”

COVID-19 wastewater levels back on the rise in Saskatoon and Regina

COVID-19 wastewater levels back on the rise in Saskatoon and Regina

Levels of the COVID-19 virus in Saskatoon’s wastewater are back on the rise, according to the University of Saskatchewan’s Global Institute for Water Security. Researcher Femi Oloye said in an email that in the most recent reporting period, the viral RNA load in Saskatoon and Prince Albert increased, while North Battleford saw a decrease. Up to Jan. 25, Saskatoon’s wastewater viral load increased by 97.6 per cent, sitting at a medium level and the 43rd highest concentration measured in the city. That increase comes after weeks of relative stability and most recently, a decrease of 59.4 per cent.

When the forces of nature are the answer to nature’s force

When the forces of nature are the answer to nature’s force

The costs and damages of flooding are overwhelming communities along coasts, near rivers and on big lakes. Across the country, urban floods are happening at a rate and extent that is pushing disaster resilience to the forefront of public safety discussions. We all pay the price of more frequent flooding, even if the danger and damage are happening in someone else’s town. In fact, the Insurance Institute of Canada reports that the multi-billion-dollar cost of insurance claims is on track to more than double over the course of a decade.

Government says there is no need for every toxic chemical to have a pollution plan

Government says there is no need for every toxic chemical to have a pollution plan

“Do you want to live a healthy life?” he asked. “Do you want to drink water that isn’t contaminated, breathe air that’s not polluted or walk in fields that are not otherwise strewn within the residues of airborne hazardous substances? Then you need to take this statute seriously.” The Canadian Environmental Protection Act, or CEPA, governs how toxic chemicals are identified and managed in Canada. It is in the midst of its first update in two decades, following a mandatory review that took place in 2016 and 2017.

Corner Brook mayor says water treatment costs rose about 40% last year

Corner Brook mayor says water treatment costs rose about 40% last year

The City of Corner Brook says it's paying significantly more for water treatment than it did a year ago. Mayor Jim Parsons says the cost of the multiple chemicals used in the treatment process have all increased by about 40 per cent compared with last year. Some have increased by more than 50 per cent.  "We're used to seeing price increases throughout the COVID thing. We've noticed the supply is not where it used to be, so prices go up," said Parsons in a recent interview. 

Why some people are taking a wintry dip from the banks of the Bow River

Why some people are taking a wintry dip from the banks of the Bow River

It's an uncommon sight to see in January. A group of nearly 20 people, in their bathing suits, gather along the banks of the Bow River to plunge into the icy waters. While a midwinter dip might not be at the top of everyone's to-do list, it's become a ritual for those participating. "I was fascinated by it. I thought it to be a crazy activity," said Lucas Ramage. "I started this not thinking that it would be part of a regular health routine, but immediately I can see it has a bit of an addictive nature."

First Nations group in Alberta say program to clean up tarsands is ‘underfunded’

First Nations group in Alberta say program to clean up tarsands is ‘underfunded’

“It’s definitely a concern expressed by community members seeing changes in water, traditional foods and changes in their health. “More data and information is necessary to answer these questions… but there are toxic sludge and tailings ponds here… these leak into the watershed,” said Lepine. Last summer, APTN News reported on a story where Keepers of the Water, an Indigenous environmental group, raised alarm over the proposed dumping of treated tailings pond water from the Alberta oil industry into the Athabasca River.

Volunteers hauled thousands of kilograms of garbage up steep incline from squatter camp

Volunteers hauled thousands of kilograms of garbage up steep incline from squatter camp

A group of Chilliwack volunteers braved chilly temperatures to haul away several truckloads of garbage Sunday. Tarps, bike parts, furniture and clothes were dragged up a steep incline from a homeless camp under the Vedder River bridge on Swetzer Creek. It was the second volunteer cleanup at the site conducted by stewards and nature lovers. The camp saw a fire break out last weekend in one of the tarped structures, which postponed the cleanup until Jan. 29.

Moths are the new tool to protect Canada’s wetlands

Moths are the new tool to protect Canada’s wetlands

Phragmites, Phragmites australis, also known as European common reed, is an invasive perennial grass that spreads quickly and out-competes native species for water, sunlight and nutrients. It releases toxins from its roots into the soil to further hinder the growth of and kill surrounding plants, leading to a decrease in biodiversity and habitat. There is no single method that is a ‘quick fix’ to manage phragmites. Instead, a continuous, multi-method approach is required for success and long-term results. Current removal methods include herbicides, prescribed fire, cutting underwater, flooding and physical removal.

Canada Infrastructure Bank invests $7.9 million in Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg infrastructure to accelerate residential and economic growth

Canada Infrastructure Bank invests $7.9 million in Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg infrastructure to accelerate residential and economic growth

Investment enables water, electricity, and broadband connections for community growth, housing and commercial space The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) and Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg (formerly Pic Mobert First Nation) have finalized their agreement for the CIB to lend $7.9 million towards critical infrastructure required for commercial and residential development that will improve living standards on reserve.

California storms boost water allocation for cities

California storms boost water allocation for cities

Weeks of historic rainfall in California won't be enough to end a severe drought but it will provide 27 million people with five times more water than suppliers had been told to expect a month ago, state officials announced Thursday. The Department of Water Resources said public water agencies will now get 30% of what they had asked for, up from the 5% officials had previously announced in December. That’s because for the first three weeks of January nine atmospheric rivers dumped an estimated 32 trillion gallons of rain and snow on California. It was enough water to increase storage in the state’s two largest reservoirs by a combined 66%.

Listening to air, water

Listening to air, water

“Theory of Water” takes its inspiration from the works of interdisciplinary Anishinaabekwe artist Rebecca Belmore and Canadian poet Dionne Brand. Belmore famously created a giant wooden megaphone (more than 6 feet across at the bell) as an art installation that was displayed in various locations in Canada and the U.S. That work, called “Ayum-ee-aawach Oomama-mowan: Speaking To Their Mother,” allowed speakers’ voices to echo up to nine times as they addressed their native land. A second project called “Wave Sound” flipped the concept, turning a megaphone into a kind of listening horn to amplify the sound of water and shoreline.

Hundreds attend irrigation conference in Lethbridge

Hundreds attend irrigation conference in Lethbridge

The 2023 Irrigated Crop Production Update conference included presentations from over one dozen speakers, with topics ranging from updates to irrigation projects, climate change, water quality, scholarships, crop nutrients, and more. The event was the first of its kind since early 2020 and was hosted by Lethbridge College. Senior Research Chair at Lethbridge College Willemijn Appels says it was great to see so many people with different areas of expertise be able to share their knowledge and research with one another.

Reducing phosphorus runoff

Reducing phosphorus runoff

Is it possible to reduce the amount of phosphorus being released from agricultural land and into waterways, such as Lake Winnipeg, during the spring melt? It’s a question UWinnipeg Professor Dr. Darshani Kumaragamage, Department of Environmental Studies and Sciences, and her research team are trying to answer. In most parts of the world, erosion, and rain-driven runoff are the major pathways by which phosphorus from agricultural fields enter waterbodies. However, in cold climates like the Canadian prairies, flooding-induced phosphorus loss during the snowmelt period is the dominant transport mechanism of phosphorus from agricultural lands to water bodies.

McCain Foods releases new Sustainability Report

McCain Foods releases new Sustainability Report

The Sustainability Report also shows the company has achieved its water-efficiency target, three years ahead of schedule, made marked improvements in CO2 emissions reductions and enhanced its usage of renewable electricity. McCain's Regenerative Agriculture Framework supports farmers and measures adopting regenerative farming practices in priority regions, establishing financing partnerships for regenerative farming in France and Canada.

SCG Flowmetrix Awarded One of the Largest Sewer Flow and Rainfall Monitoring Projects in Canada

SCG Flowmetrix Awarded One of the Largest Sewer Flow and Rainfall Monitoring Projects in Canada

SCG Flowmetrix, a leading provider of water and wastewater infrastructure monitoring solutions, announced that the company has been awarded one of largest sewer flow and rainfall monitoring projects in Canada from the Region of Peel. Located in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) of Ontario, the Region of Peel provides services for the growing cities of Brampton, Mississauga, and the town of Caledon, a combined service area population of more than 1.5 million.

Kootenay Connect to receive extended funding for conservation programs

Kootenay Connect to receive extended funding for conservation programs

“This is a critical time for conservation work locally, and also globally. Kootenay Connect is moving our region toward doing our part to protect 30 per cent of Canada’s land and water by 2030, the recently agreed upon global conservation goal to minimize our planet’s ongoing biodiversity loss,” said Dr. Michael Proctor, Kootenay Connect Science Advisor. “We look forward to a network of healthy interconnected ecosystems that support a rich array of wildlife and important ecosystem services.”

Follow us