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

River House opens to the public!

River House opens to the public!

Having a space right on the water has long been an aspiration of Ottawa Riverkeeper. Never before have we had our own program space. We can’t wait to show you this dream as it begins to take shape! As part of the opening, we heard from Tobi Nussbaum, Chief Executive Officer of the National Capital Commission, and from Mona Fortier, MP for the Vanier riding where River House is located. Both talked about how important it is to be able to provide the public with access to this amazing river. Afterwards, the media embarked on a tour of the site that included Ottawa Riverkeeper’s new Learning Lab and the NCC’s swimming area.

Boil Water Notice – Rural Water Districts 8 and 9

Boil Water Notice – Rural Water Districts 8 and 9

This is a reminder to Rural Water Districts 8 & 9 that a boil water advisory exists for the properties highlighted below. If you received a letter from the Town of Osoyoos in April 2023, it is still in effect. Any changes to this status will be communicated by letter to users when it is lifted. The agricultural irrigation district receives its water supply directly from the lake with limited treatment during this time. This advisory is to mitigate the risk of potential bacteria. Any questions can be directed to Operational Services at (250) 495.6213.

Moncton's water supply has cyanobacteria. Here's what the city is doing about it Social Sharing

Moncton's water supply has cyanobacteria. Here's what the city is doing about it Social Sharing

It's part of the city's monitoring for cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, in the water supply for the province's largest metro area. The photosynthetic bacteria can be found in many waterways and isn't necessarily harmful, but some types can produce toxins harmful to humans and animals. The discovery of cyanobacteria in the reservoir six years ago triggered a multimillion-dollar research and upgrade effort that's ongoing.

UPDATE: Blind Bay water intake reopened, risk of contamination low

UPDATE: Blind Bay water intake reopened, risk of contamination low

People in Blind Bay are being asked to conserve water due to possible contamination from a partially submerged houseboat. The CSRD said the incident with the houseboat occurred Sunday, July 23, and, “out of an abundance of caution,” the Cedar Heights Water System intake would be shut down until water testing could be done Monday.

Water quality research helps bring healing and sovereignty to the Apsáalooke

Water quality research helps bring healing and sovereignty to the Apsáalooke

When I was 8 years old, a bilingual afterschool program took me on a trip that left memories I still carry. A boat drove us into the deep canyons of Iisaxpúatahcheewilichke, Bighorn Lake. As we cruised by cliffs incised by Iisaxpúatahcheeaashe, the Bighorn River, we witnessed the power that it held: cliff sides looked as if a knife made a clean cut through a cake, except it was through sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous layers of the Earth. I will hold this day with me forever because me, my twin sister and other Apsáalooke/Crow youth saw where Uuwaatisaash was pushed off the cliffs, and where Iisaxpúatahchee Sahpua had saved him.

These nearly invisible organisms help clean Lake Tahoe's water. Here's how they do it

These nearly invisible organisms help clean Lake Tahoe's water. Here's how they do it

Plankton are not just a diabolical mastermind on a Nickelodeon show about a sponge who lives under the sea. Lake Tahoe is filled with them—the good kind. Tahoe native zooplankton are making a comeback in the more than 21-mile long lake, helping it look the clearest it has in 40 years. A comeback because until now, the microorganism's population significantly decreased after it's primary predator, the Mysis shrimp, was on the rise, according to previous Sacramento Bee reporting.

Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators (CESI)

Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators (CESI)

The Freshwater Quality Indicator (WQI) provides an overall measure of the ability of freshwater bodies to support aquatic life at selected monitoring stations across Canada. It is a water quality guideline-driven tool used to distill large amounts of water quality data at a monitoring station into a single index. Water quality at a monitoring station is considered excellent when ambient water quality does not exceed guidelines at any time for any of all selected parameters. When water quality is rated poor, water quality measurements usually exceed their guideline; exceedences at these stations may be large.

Insurance Experts Provide Guidance to Consumers Following Flooding in Nova Scotia

Insurance Experts Provide Guidance to Consumers Following Flooding in Nova Scotia

In the aftermath of the flooding that has devastated parts of Nova Scotia, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is providing insurance information to affected residents and has deployed its Virtual Community Assistance Mobile Pavilion (V-CAMP). Insurers serve as “second responders” in the recovery period after catastrophe strikes. IBC’s V-CAMP is staffed with trained insurance industry personnel who are on hand at IBC's Consumer Information Centre at 1‑844‑2ask-IBC (1-844-227-5422) to help address consumers’ general questions about home, business or vehicle insurance.

Four New Brunswick communities receiving $22 million for water infrastructure projects

Four New Brunswick communities receiving $22 million for water infrastructure projects

Four communities in New Brunswick will get a combined $22 million from the federal, provincial and municipal governments to support water infrastructure projects. Tracadie and Rivere-du-Nord will receive $13.2 million, with $8.8 million going to Bathurst and Belle-Baie. Tracadie will use the funding to support the second phase of its multi-phased project to renew aging sanitary sewer, water and storm sewer mains on Principale Street.

Two people dead after Nova Scotia floods, two missing

Two people dead after Nova Scotia floods, two missing

Two of the four people missing after floods ripped through the Canadian Atlantic province of Nova Scotia over the weekend are dead, Premier Tim Houston said on Monday. Police earlier confirmed the death of a 52-year-old man who was reported missing after his car became submerged and said they had found a second body most likely to be one of the four people who disappeared as waters rose. "I extend my deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the two people who passed away following floods," Houston said in a statement confirming the second body was one of the four people who went missing in the region of Halifax, the province's largest city.

Flow Beverage Corp. Enters Partnership with Live Nation Canada To Provide More Sustainable Water Options at Concerts

Flow Beverage Corp. Enters Partnership with Live Nation Canada To Provide More Sustainable Water Options at Concerts

Flow Beverage Corp. (TSX:FLOW; OTCQX:FLWBF) (“Flow” or the “Company”) announced today that it has entered into a partnership to become the Official Water Sponsor of Live Nation Canada, making Flow alkaline spring water available to millions of annual concert goers at nearly 1,000 concerts across Canada. Through its Green Nation charter launched in 2019, Live Nation is seeking to eliminate single-use plastics, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent and become zero waste to landfill by 2030. This partnership will continue that momentum, as well as help drive Flow’s food service segment growth and provide opportunities for sampling and brand partnerships.

Nova Scotia wrestles with aftermath of devastating floods

Nova Scotia wrestles with aftermath of devastating floods

Canada's East Coast province of Nova Scotia began cleaning up on Sunday after torrential rainfall caused devastating floods, while the search continued for four people including two children who went missing during the deluge. The storm, which started on Friday, in some places dumped more than 25 cm (10 inches) in just 24 hours - as much as normally falls in three months. CBC meteorologist Ryan Snoddon said it was the most rain to hit the provincial capital Halifax since Hurricane Beth in 1971.

Water quality advisory continues for Casselman, Ont. tap water

Water quality advisory continues for Casselman, Ont. tap water

The Eastern Ontario Health Unit says the water meets drinking water standards, but the advisory recommends residents use bottled water or another source of water for preparing baby formula for infants and food or drinks for young people. "I’m not bathing my grandchildren when they come over and I have to have bottled water," Casselman resident Jocelyn Butler-Rohland said on Sunday.

New Canadian cruise ship rules don’t stop major source of wastewater pollution

New Canadian cruise ship rules don’t stop major source of wastewater pollution

The federal government has made new anti-pollution measures mandatory for cruise ships, but environmental groups say they don’t stop contamination of some of Canada’s most sensitive coastlines. Transport Minister Omar Alghabra announced recently that voluntary guidelines established in April are now mandatory. Those rules cover the discharge and treatment for so-called black water, or stuff from toilets, and grey water, kitchen water, water from laundry machines, and water containing cleaning products, food waste, cooking oils/grease and other pollutants.

Tap into Barrie water at local beaches this summer

Tap into Barrie water at local beaches this summer

The City of Barrie Water Operations branch is going on the road this summer and bringing free drinking water to a beach near you. Residents, visitors, and summer camp participants are invited to fill up their reusable bottles with Barrie tap water for free at the city’s water trailer this summer. The water trailer will be at Tyndale Beach or Centennial beach every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. until Aug. 31, 2023, weather permitting and subject to staff availability. The water trailer holds enough tap water to fill 2,000 reusable water bottles.

'Not as dramatic': Saskatchewan farmers draining water demonstrate benefits

'Not as dramatic': Saskatchewan farmers draining water demonstrate benefits

It’s an area of farmland Ryan Maurer says is worth as much as a Lamborghini. High run-off flooded one of his fields in spring 2022, leaving shallow pools of water. This was before the farmer opened ditches to drain it. “Would you take your Lamborghini and park it in a slough?” Maurer asked on his farm near Grenfell, Sask., about 125 kilometres east of Regina.

Manganese levels remain high in Casselman, Ont. drinking water

Manganese levels remain high in Casselman, Ont. drinking water

Earlier this month, residents raised concerns about drinking water that is dark, appearing dirty or the colour of apple juice. The discoloured water is because of high levels of manganese – a mineral distributed in air, water and soil – present in the South Nation River, according to the municipality. In an update this week, the municipality said it has issued a water quality advisory for the Municipal Water Distribution System due to manganese levels above the Canadian Drinking Water Quality guidelines, and the advisory will remain in effect for further notice.

The governments of Canada and Nova Scotia and the Town and County of Antigonish invest in drinking water infrastructure

The governments of Canada and Nova Scotia and the Town and County of Antigonish invest in drinking water infrastructure

This investment will enable the expansion of the St. Joseph's water system, with the addition of a 51,000 gallon (US) storage tank and the construction of approximately 3.6 kilometres of distribution line. This expansion will provide access to drinking water for approximately 40 additional properties, which includes over 650 acres for development. In addition, 2.2 kilometres of distribution line will be added to the Lanark water system. This expansion will provide access to drinking water to approximately 25 properties, including 10 existing residences, a business and over 600 acres for development.

New Water Infrastructure in Antigonish

New Water Infrastructure in Antigonish

The Province is investing almost $2 million in water and wastewater infrastructure upgrades that will help the Town of Antigonish and the Municipality of the County of Antigonish prepare for future growth. Our municipalities depend on modern infrastructure to be competitive and attract new residents to their communities,” said Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister John Lohr. “By making these investments, we will improve the efficiency of the water and wastewater systems, ensuring residents and businesses have the services they expect and depend on every day and laying the foundation for continued growth for years to come.”

Sask. agriculture group questions value of new water management data platform

Sask. agriculture group questions value of new water management data platform

Data for water management across sectors is now open for public use through a platform by the Water Security Agency of Saskatchewan, but at least one group is skeptical of how useful it will be for their businesses. The Saskatchewan government earlier this week announced the launch of what it calls a GeoHub portal for access to data for better water management. The portal combines geographic information systems to provide greater access to information, primarily when making decisions around agricultural operations, planning, or research in the province.

Follow us