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

First Nations urge Canada to Choose Partnership over Paternalism in Federal Budget by Enacting Collaborative Funding Model to Close the Infrastructure Gap

First Nations urge Canada to Choose Partnership over Paternalism in Federal Budget by Enacting Collaborative Funding Model to Close the Infrastructure Gap

First Nations Finance Authority (FNFA) is urging Canada to embrace a new and innovative method of funding Indigenous infrastructure based on partnership rather than paternalism to keep its promise to bridge the infrastructure gap between First Nations and the rest of Canada by 2030. "The federal model for funding infrastructure has failed to deliver the housing, clean water and other critical infrastructure that will improve the living conditions in First Nations communities," said FNFA President and CEO Ernie Daniels. "We believe there is a better way, a way that works with First Nations as partners rather than the colonial approach that's rooted in the almost 150-year-old Indian Act."

‘Agreement is coming’: Oneida Nation of the Thames to announce water deal with Government of Canada

‘Agreement is coming’: Oneida Nation of the Thames to announce water deal with Government of Canada

Oneida Nation of the Thames First Nation (ONTFN) has been under a boil water advisory since 2019. However, the first steps in the slow process of changing that are expected shortly. “There is an agreement coming, it's just at the table now,” said ONTFN Chief Todd Cornelius. “We're expecting to inform our community soon of the agreement.” Cornelius was tight lipped about the timeline, but CTV News has learned an announcement is imminent.

Collingwood water billing to continue through EPCOR

Collingwood water billing to continue through EPCOR

Council has drowned a staff proposal for in-house water billing, following pleas from an EPCOR chief executive officer to stay the course and continue paying them to provide the billing service. EPCOR chief executive officer Susannah Robinson spoke on Monday (March 21) to ask council to consider not making a town-staff-recommended move to switch water and wastewater billing in-house, following a split committee vote earlier this month.

Media advisory - Parliamentary Secretary Duguid to lead Canadian delegation to the United Nations 2023 Water Conference

Media advisory - Parliamentary Secretary Duguid to lead Canadian delegation to the United Nations 2023 Water Conference

Media representatives are advised that Terry Duguid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, will lead the Canadian delegation to the United Nations 2023 Water Conference. The conference will take place March 22–24, 2023, in New York City, New York. Parliamentary Secretary Duguid will deliver Canada's national statement during the plenary session and will also participate in various side events, including an event on Indigenous-led conservation for the health of water ecosystems in Canada, and the world.

Grade 5 science project leads to water quality testing at school in northern Quebec

Grade 5 science project leads to water quality testing at school in northern Quebec

"They did find that we should be filtering our water in the schools," she said, adding that the band office has agreed to carry out further tests. Roy said the quality of the water source, Mistissini Lake, is very, very good, but down the line in the school the water quality drops noticeably. The students also studied four different types of filtering options, including some traditional methods, such as using moss or a heavy cotton, as well as modern charcoal filters. In their evaluation, the students also took into account cost and environmental impacts of the different filtration methods. 

Boil-water advisory issued in Quebec City

Boil-water advisory issued in Quebec City

Quebec City has issued a boil water advisory for parts of the borough of Charlesbourg after a water main break in Place des Colibris Monday evening. The advisory is in place for people living in the area bounded by Jean-Talon Boulevard to the south, the Laurentian autoroute to the east, Saint-Samuel Avenue to the west and 41st Avenue West and East to the north. The city said residents should boil their water for at least one minute. 

N.W.T. diamond mine reports spill of 450 million litres of wastewater

N.W.T. diamond mine reports spill of 450 million litres of wastewater

The Diavik Diamond Mine in the Northwest Territories says 450 million litres of wastewater spilled due to a broken pipeline. The spill took place on Feb. 7 but wasn't reported to the Northwest Territories government until late last week. The territorial government says pipeline operators did not initially believe it needed to be reported as the wastewater leaked into a containment pond that was its final destination.

BUDGET 2023-2024 - Press release no. 6 of 6 - $2.4 billion to fight climate change and protect biodiversity and our water resources

BUDGET 2023-2024 - Press release no. 6 of 6 - $2.4 billion to fight climate change and protect biodiversity and our water resources

The government is using Budget 2023-2024 to diversify and consolidate its environmental measures. Initiatives totalling $1 billion over five years will make it possible to protect biodiversity and our water resources and to promote good environmental practices. In addition, for a second consecutive year, the government has substantial additional revenues from the carbon market. These revenues will be used, among other things, to enhance the 2030 Plan for a Green Economy. Today, Budget 2023-2024 confirmed that the 2023-2028 implementation plan will benefit from an additional $1.4 billion.

Manitoba Chief speaking at United Nations 2023 Water Conference SharePlay Video Manitoba Chief speaking at United Nations 2023 Water Conference

Manitoba Chief speaking at United Nations 2023 Water Conference SharePlay Video Manitoba Chief speaking at United Nations 2023 Water Conference

Manitoba Chief speaking at United Nations 2023 Water Conference - AFN Manitoba Regional Chief Cindy Woodhouse is speaking at the United Nations in New York this week about long-term drinking water advisories – a problem that persists in First Nations communities across Canada. Alex Karpa reports.

Governments Of Canada And Saskatchewan Partner To Invest $485 Million In Saskatchewan Under The New Five-Year Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership

Governments Of Canada And Saskatchewan Partner To Invest $485 Million In Saskatchewan Under The New Five-Year Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership

Today, Gudie Hutchings, Federal Minister of Rural Economic Development, on behalf of Marie-Claude Bibeau, Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit, announced $485 million for strategic agricultural initiatives in Saskatchewan under the new five-year Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP).

Feds to provide bottled water, mental health services to First Nations dealing with tailings pond leak

Feds to provide bottled water, mental health services to First Nations dealing with tailings pond leak

The federal government is providing bottled water and mental health services to First Nations struggling to deal with a spill from a tar sands tailings pond that went unreported for months in northern Alberta. “They’re devastated and their communities are devastated,” Indigenous Services Canada Minister Patty Hajdu said at a press conference in Ottawa on Monday. “They’re afraid that the water is contaminated.

Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market to Reach $70 Billion by 2030

Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market to Reach $70 Billion by 2030

In the changed post COVID-19 business landscape, the global market for Water Treatment Chemicals estimated at US$40.6 Billion in the year 2022, is projected to reach a revised size of US$70 Billion by 2030, growing at aCAGR of 7% over the period 2022-2030. Coagulants & Flocculants, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to record 8.4% CAGR and reach US$25.2 Billion by the end of the analysis period. Taking into account the ongoing post pandemic recovery, growth in the Corrosion Inhibitors segment is readjusted to a revised 7.3% CAGR for the next 8-year period.

How the health of a river is influenced by what's happening on land

How the health of a river is influenced by what's happening on land

For some residents of northern Alberta and Saskatchewan, the North Saskatchewan River is nothing more than a flowing body of water that starts at the Saskatchewan Glacier in Banff National Park and winds its way northeast.  But it's much more than that. The river is a part of a bigger network of streams and channels that feed into it on its path through the Prairies. We're talking about a watershed — an area of land that drains into a water body. 

Origami hummingbirds to make a splash at UN Water Conference

Origami hummingbirds to make a splash at UN Water Conference

In an ancient Peruvian folktale, a hummingbird fetches water to put out a forest fire, one drop at a time. The other animals look on and laugh at her. Then, the little bird replies, “I’m doing what I can.” The tale inspired UN-Water, which coordinates the world body’s work on water and sanitation, to launch the ‘Be the change’ campaign for World Water Day on 22 March,  that urges everyone to do what they can to change the way they use and manage water.

Data shows Ontario, Quebec have worst water quality in Canada

Data shows Ontario, Quebec have worst water quality in Canada

A report from Environment and Climate Change Canada said Ontario and Quebec have the poorest water quality in Canada, according to Blacklock’s Reporter. “Calculated trends using data from 2002 to 2020 show no site with improved water quality,” said the report. “During that same period, water quality deteriorated at 24 sites.” Water quality showed no improvement in the past two decades because of raw sewage dumped into waterways. Regional waterways with worsening quality included Ottawa’s Rideau River, Toronto’s Humber and Don rivers, and Quebec’s Chateauguay, Jacques-Cartier, and la Petite Nation rivers.

How Metro Vancouver is earthquake-proofing its water reservoirs in preparation for the 'Big One'

How Metro Vancouver is earthquake-proofing its water reservoirs in preparation for the 'Big One'

Nearly six metres below a South Delta residential area, workers are making upgrades to a water storage reservoir that holds millions of litres of drinking water. Work at the Pebble Hill reservoir began in the fall of 2021 to prepare for natural disasters in the future. Metro Vancouver has been steadily upgrading its reservoirs since the '90s to ensure it can provide water to the region following the "Big One" — a megathrust earthquake expected to hit the B.C. coast someday.

Sustainability of high-mountain water sources focus of new UNESCO Chair

Sustainability of high-mountain water sources focus of new UNESCO Chair

Climate change is endangering critical mountain water sources like the Canadian Rockies snowpacks and glaciers, with potential for dire implications. To address the challenges of sustaining and managing these mountain waters, UNESCO has announced the creation of the UNESCO Chair in Mountain Water Sustainability. The chair will be hosted at the University of Calgary (UCalgary) and co-held by six international world-class water researchers, including Dr. John Pomeroy (PhD) and Dr. Corinne Schuster-Wallace (PhD) from the University of Saskatchewan (USask).  

Upgrades secure drinking water system in Prince Rupert

Upgrades secure drinking water system in Prince Rupert

The Province is providing $65 million to the City of Prince Rupert to replace crucial sections of its aging water-distribution system to ensure reliable water service for the community. “The importance of reliable drinking-water delivery cannot be overstated. We saw first-hand the critical need for this funding last December when the city issued a state of emergency due to water-distribution concerns,” said Premier David Eby. “Crews worked tirelessly to keep potable water flowing to homes during the holiday season, and I want to thank them for their efforts. Together we are working to support the people of Prince Rupert, replacing aging infrastructure and ensuring that this valuable resource is available now and in the future.”

What people should be aware of when using a humidifier

What people should be aware of when using a humidifier

Humidifiers are designed to help you breathe better, but depending on the type you have and the water you use, it might also be affecting your air quality at home. "It's not that I am saying humidifiers (are) completely bad for people. It's just we should be aware that the water quality we put into the humidifier is directly reflecting the quality of the indoor air you're breathing," said Ran Zhao, an assistant professor of Environment Chemistry at University of Alberta.

Nuclear power plant leaked 1.5M litres of radioactive water in Minnesota

Nuclear power plant leaked 1.5M litres of radioactive water in Minnesota

Officials in Minnesota are monitoring the cleanup of a massive spill of radioactive water from a nuclear power plant just outside Minneapolis. About 1.5 million litres (400,000 gallons) of nuclear wastewater leaked from the plant back in late November, but the incident wasn’t made public until Thursday. Xcel Energy, the company that operates the affected nuclear power plant, promises that the spill poses no risk to public safety, as did the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

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