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

A prolonged, severe algae bloom is causing 'musty' tap water for Regina, Moose Jaw consumers

A prolonged, severe algae bloom is causing 'musty' tap water for Regina, Moose Jaw consumers

The tap water in the Regina and Moose Jaw areas might smell funky and taste a little off these days, but the people responsible for the water say it's still safe to drink. There has been a prolonged and severe bloom of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) at Buffalo Pound Lake, which is where the tap water comes from, "These organisms produce some compounds, chemical compounds, that produce the taste and odours that people describe as algae or musty," said Blair Kardash, who is the laboratory manager at the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant. 

WaterPower Canada unveils guidebook to help maximize hydropower's role in Canada's Net-zero electricity grid

WaterPower Canada unveils guidebook to help maximize hydropower's role in Canada's Net-zero electricity grid

WaterPower Canada (WPC) has unveiled a comprehensive guidebook aimed at assisting policymakers in unlocking the complete potential of water-generated electricity. Titled "Hydropower’s Contribution to a Net-Zero Electricity Grid" this concise and robust report emphasizes the pivotal role of hydropower in shaping Canada's net-zero future. It underscores the indispensable grid services that hydropower provides and underscores their significance in upholding system dependability, and offers invaluable insights to Canadian electricity policymakers and various stakeholders within the electricity industry.

Water management to cost Montreal billions; city launches public consultation

Water management to cost Montreal billions; city launches public consultation

Aging infrastructure, climate change and population growth are putting significant pressure on Montreal’s water resources. Faced with the magnitude of the issues and planned investments, the city is launching a public consultation on the future of water in its territory. Montreal is wasting too much drinking water, it is dumping too many pollutants into the St. Lawrence River, its aging infrastructure is unable to swallow the ever-increasing quantity of water spilled during torrential rains, and the city does not have enough money to update and adapt its infrastructure related to water management.

Dead fish, ducks found after runoff from industrial fire seeps into 2 Toronto creeks, province says

Dead fish, ducks found after runoff from industrial fire seeps into 2 Toronto creeks, province says

Runoff from a massive industrial fire in Etobicoke on Friday has left dead fish and ducks in a Toronto creek, the Ontario environment ministry said on Monday. Some of the ducks in Mimico Creek that have survived the runoff have been coated in an oily sludge, according to the Toronto Wildlife Centre.

'The saving grace for agriculture': Farmers look to irrigation amid climate woes

'The saving grace for agriculture': Farmers look to irrigation amid climate woes

Sean Stanford's wheat farm just south of Lethbridge, Alta. falls within the far left corner of Palliser's Triangle — an expanse of prairie grassland encompassing much of southeast Alberta, a swath of southern Saskatchewan, and the southwest corner of Manitoba. The area is named for explorer Capt. John Palliser, who in 1857, famously declared the entire region a wasteland — so hot and arid that no crops would ever grow.

Residents, councillors concerned about climate in wake of flash floods

Residents, councillors concerned about climate in wake of flash floods

About 77 millimetres of rain fell on Ottawa in a matter of hours, according to Environment Canada. That's more than any other Aug. 10 on record, but surrounding regions saw even more, receiving between 80 and 110 millimetres. At the storm's peak, Hydro Ottawa reported 24,000 customers without power. Mycah Katz was practicing a drag performance in the basement lounge of his condo building when the power cut out.

Norway prepares for more evacuations as river levels keep rising

Norway prepares for more evacuations as river levels keep rising

Authorities were on standby to evacuate more people in southeastern Norway on Friday, where huge amounts of water, littered with broken trees, debris and trash, thundered down the usually serene rivers after days of torrential rain. The level of water in swollen rivers and lakes continued to grow despite two days of dry but overcast weather, with houses abandoned in flooded areas, cars coated in mud and camping sites swamped.

Deluge of damage claims pouring in after flash floods cause sewage 'mayhem'

Deluge of damage claims pouring in after flash floods cause sewage 'mayhem'

Ottawa restoration companies are inundated with calls from households beset by sewage backup from Thursday's flash floods, which caused "catastrophic" damage to some homes. Deven Raval, owner of PuroClean, called it "mayhem." He said his company normally deals with five or so calls per day. But this has been different. "My phone's going crazy," he said, as rings repeatedly interrupted an interview. He'd already fielded about 70 calls as of Friday morning. He said four of every five relate to sewage.

People returning to Eabametoong First Nation after 3 weeks away, state of emergency lifted

People returning to Eabametoong First Nation after 3 weeks away, state of emergency lifted

Leadership in Eabametoong First Nation in northwestern Ontario have ended the state of emergency now the community's water treatment plant is producing running water and all of its members have returned home following community evacuations last month. The remote Ojibway First Nation of about 1,600 people is approximately 360 kilometres north of Thunder Bay and It has been in a state of emergency since July 5, after a fire broke out at the Eabametoong First Nation Water Treatment Plant.

Okanagan has one of the highest water use rates per person in Canada

Okanagan has one of the highest water use rates per person in Canada

A community consulting firm is asking, ‘Water you doing, Spall?’ The Township of Spallumcheen is looking to get the word out about the critical importance of water conservation. According to Spall reports, the Okanagan has one of the highest rates of water use per person in Canada, meaning there is less water available per person in the Okanagan than anywhere else in the country.

How indigenous conservation protects Canada’s environment

How indigenous conservation protects Canada’s environment

In Canada, centring conservation with the country's indigenous peoples is allowing its original stewards to reconnect to their land and culture – and proving remarkably effective. Every year, when the frozen streams have melted and greenery emerges after months of winter stillness, Dolcy Meness knows it's time. Packing their truck, she and a colleague set off through the densely forested hills of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg territory, an Algonquin First Nation in the province of Quebec.

Shoal Lake 40 shares optimistic vision of future during annual treaty day celebrations

Shoal Lake 40 shares optimistic vision of future during annual treaty day celebrations

Some members of Shoal Lake 40 travelled to their home community for the first time in decades — or ever — during this week's annual treaty day celebrations, and say they're hopeful for the First Nation's future after decades of forced isolation and a lack of clean drinking water.

Miramichi salmon group wants feds to resume sharing water temperature data

Miramichi salmon group wants feds to resume sharing water temperature data

The Miramichi Salmon Association is calling on Environment and Climate Change Canada to resume sharing water temperature information with the public. The data is integral to tourism and conservation of stocks, says Vanessa McLaughlin, the group's co-ordinator of membership and communications. 

WasteSharks are lurking in Toronto's harbour — and cleaning up trash

WasteSharks are lurking in Toronto's harbour — and cleaning up trash

Two new sharks are popping up in Toronto's harbour — but it's garbage, not people, who should be afraid of heading into the water. PortsToronto has brought in two WasteShark aquadrones to add to its larger trash trapping program. "It's essentially a Roomba that operates on the surface of the water," said Jessica Pellerin, manager of media relations and public affairs for PortsToronto. "[It] cleans up microplastics, debris… things that we don't want on the surface of the water and then we're able to dispose of it properly afterward."

Bursting ice dam in Alaska highlights risks of glacial flooding around the globe

Bursting ice dam in Alaska highlights risks of glacial flooding around the globe

The gray, two-story home with white trim toppled and slid, crashing into the river below as rushing waters carried off a bobbing chunk of its roof. Next door, a condo building teetered on the edge of the bank, its foundation already having fallen away as erosion undercut it. The destruction came over the weekend as a glacial dam burst in Alaska's capital, swelling the levels of the Mendenhall River to an unprecedented degree. The bursting of such snow-and-ice dams is a phenomenon called a jökuhlaup, and while it's relatively little-known in the U.S., researchers say such glacial floods could threaten about 15 million people around the world.

Province confirms poor water quality in Washington state river is coming from B.C.

Province confirms poor water quality in Washington state river is coming from B.C.

The province has confirmed water of poor quality flowing through the Nooksack River in Washington state is coming from multiple sources in B.C. This comes a month after Washington farmers and officials called upon B.C. to investigate and address high levels of fecal bacteria coming from the Canadian side of the border. A joint letter sent in June from the Whatcom Family Farmers and the North Lynden Watershed Improvement District addressed to B.C. Premier David Eby and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said routine water quality testing done by Whatcom County and the state's agriculture department found bacteria at levels over 200 times higher than the water quality standard.

Sproat Lake in Port Alberni voted B.C.'s best lake in CBC bracket

Sproat Lake in Port Alberni voted B.C.'s best lake in CBC bracket

It's Sproat, not Sprout Lake and after a tight race, CBC readers have decided Sproat is G.O.A.T (greatest of all time) when it comes to B.C.'s Best Lake. From July 24 to Aug. 2, British Columbians whittled down a list of 48 lakes to crown a winner. More than 100,000 votes were cast and in a nail-biting final round, the Vancouver Island lake emerged victorious over Shuswap Lake in the province's southern interior.

Putting Indigenous knowledge at the forefront of water research in Canada

Putting Indigenous knowledge at the forefront of water research in Canada

The Everyone Together: Water Gathering Statement was created by a group of 22 participants representing 14 different First Nation and Inuit communities and organizations. The protocol outlined in the document was initially discussed over three days in April 2023 during the University of Saskatchewan (USask)-led Global Water Futures (GWF) - Mistawasis Nêhiyawak Water Gathering, and is now available publicly.

B.C., Canada help farmers with climate adaptation, drought

B.C., Canada help farmers with climate adaptation, drought

B.C. farmers and ranchers can better prepare for and mitigate impacts of climate change, while continuing to support the province’s food security and a sustainable environment through funding from the governments of Canada and British Columbia. Funding is available via the Beneficial Management Practices (BMP) program. “The Government of Canada is committed to helping our agricultural producers mitigate the impacts of climate change,” said Lawrence MacAulay, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “This investment will offer B.C. farmers the support they need to adapt their operations to be more resilient to the impacts of climate change, while protecting food security and the environment for future generations.” 

Partnership offers water line insurance to Sudbury homeowners

Partnership offers water line insurance to Sudbury homeowners

Thousands of property owners in Sudbury will receive letter in the mail this week regarding insurance for water service or sewer septic line. The City of Greater Sudbury has partnered with Service Line Warranties of Canada (SLWC) to offer insurance. Many homeowners don't realize, depending on where a leak or damage in a line occurs, repair costs could be coming out of resident's pocket if it’s not covered by property insurance.

Follow us