Water News
Alberta Water News is a free, subscription-based service that provides the latest information on water news across Alberta and upcoming events.
The news is distributed weekly on Mondays via a collated email and Monday to Friday via WaterPortal social media (X was Twitter). Please note that news will not be distributed on Holiday Mondays and will be released the following Tuesday.
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‘Situation is not ideal’
The Western Producer
A generational hydrological drought is occurring in rivers in southern Alberta, resulting in water levels rivaling the lowest seen in 50 years, the activation of a county’s emergency operations and a warning from the province. Hydrological drought refers to the effects of precipitation shortfalls on surface or subsurface water, such as stream flows, reservoirs, lake levels and groundwater. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: Weather tracker: South Africa floods kill at least 11 people
The Guardian
Extreme rain and strong winds across South Africa’s Western Cape province have caused flooding, torn off roofs, destroyed crops and damaged roads this week. It is estimated that the 48-hour rainfall totals between Sunday and Monday were between 100mm to 200mm (4-8in) in this region. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: ‘The dog’s very happy’: water-conscious Swedish islanders compete for ugliest lawn title
The Guardian
Dry, brown grass is no longer a source of shame on one Swedish island where residents have been competing over the “ugliest lawn” in an attempt to save water – and it seems the trend is spreading. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: New York sees wettest day since Hurricane Ida as heavy rain causes severe flooding
The Guardian
Schools, roads, public transport and airports affected; New Jersey declares state of emergency; reports emerge of raw sewage flooding New York homes. Click here to continue reading
Stettler county council questions water licenses enforcement
East Central Alberta Review
Stettler county council discussed a tense situation occurring at a lake located within the municipality and wondered if the provincial government’s water licensing system relies too much on the honour system. Click here to continue reading
Alberta Energy Regulator followed rules in Kearl mine wastewater release, report finds
CBC News
A third-party report into the release of millions of litres of oilsands wastewater at Imperial Oil’s Kearl mine has found the Alberta Energy Regulator followed its rules in keeping the public and area First Nations informed — but concludes those rules are significantly lacking. Click here to continue reading
Celebrating the next generation of Indigenous water treatment plant operators
Water Canada
Graduation often marks the end of a journey. For the Indigenous youth and community members who recently completed a training program to become certified water treatment plant operators, graduation is just the beginning. Click here to continue reading
Funding for flood prevention in Amherst, NS
Water Canada
With this funding, the Town of Amherst will complete a stormwater management study and improve stormwater infrastructure. The upgrades will help reduce the risk of flooding in the area surrounding Dickey Brook, protecting the community from damage during heavy rainfall or storms. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: Swiss glaciers are disappearing, with ‘massive ice loss’ tracked in past 2 years
CBC News
A Swiss Academy of Sciences panel is reporting a dramatic acceleration of glacier melt in the Alpine country, which has lost 10 per cent of its ice volume in just two years, after high summer heat and low snow volumes in winter. Switzerland — home to the most glaciers of any country in Europe — has seen four per cent of its total glacier volume disappear in 2023, second only to the six per cent drop in 2022, the academy’s commission for cryosphere observation said. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: Forever chemicals at former Nasa lab are leaking into LA River, say watchdogs
The Guardian
Two highly toxic chemicals polluting a former Nasa research site are also probably contaminating the Los Angeles River and aquifer from which the region’s agricultural growers draw their water, watchdog groups and a whistleblower charge. Click here to continue reading