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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Compare and contrast: Microplastics in Nigeria’s Osun River: new study flags alarmingly high levels
The Conversation – Africa
Our study found as many as 22,079 pieces of microplastic in just one litre of water from Nigeria’s Osun River. We compared this data with 267 global studies on microplastics in river water conducted since 1994 and discovered that the levels of microplastics in the Osun river exceeded those reported in any of those studies. Click here to continue reading
Compare and contrast: Spain on track for hottest first quarter on record: Have heavy rains helped with severe drought?
EuroNews Green
Despite recent rains topping up reservoirs, an unusually warm winter has made water shortages worse and drought is a consequence of a bigger problem. Click here to continue reading
Discover where ancient rivers flow under Canadian cities
CBC
Ancient rivers once nourished and protected the lands where we built our biggest cities. Now, they’re buried underground. Is it finally time to let them see daylight again?. Click here to continue reading
No water, no oil: How the parched western provinces could hamper the oilpatch
CBC
Persistent and severe drought conditions across Western Canada could have a devastating effect on the oil and natural gas sector, which has drilling operations in some of the driest areas, according to a new report by Deloitte. Click here to continue reading
Compare and contrast: Zimbabwe declares drought disaster, the latest in a region where El Nino has left millions hungry
The Canadian Press
imbabwe declared a state of disaster Wednesday over a devastating drought that’s sweeping across much of southern Africa, with the country’s president saying it needs $2 billion for humanitarian assistance. The declaration was widely expected following similar actions by neighboring Zambia and Malawi. Click here to continue reading
Compare and contrast: Wetlands are superheroes: expert sets out how they protect people and places
The Conversation – Africa
The view on wetlands has shifted as we have learnt how important these ecosystems are for essential “services”. They purify water, provide habitats for plants and animals, and are also critical for supporting some people’s livelihoods. Click here to continue reading
Compare and contrast: Are wetlands our secret weapon for fighting climate change?
BBC News
Podcast: The world’s wetlands store carbon and can help us tackle some of the impacts of climate change. Are we overlooking their importance? And what can we do to protect them more? An episode of BBC’s The Climate Question. Click here to continue reading
Compare and contrast: The connection between water, data and peace
Food and Agriculture Organization
Water access can be affected by conflict but can also cause it. With increasing water scarcity and the impacts of climate change, the risk of conflict is exacerbated. Managing water resources effectively and sustainably is paramount to decreasing competition and contributing to local peace. Click here to continue reading
Water levels starting to fall after weekend flooding in St. George, N.B.
CTV News
Areas in and around Saint George, N.B., are starting to see the water regress after residents woke up Easter morning to massive flooding. There are still some houses surrounded by water. A special weather statement is in effect for much of New Brunswick (including St. George) with a storm that could bring upwards of 20 centimetres of heavy wet snow. Click here to continue reading
Sask. First Nation says it won’t lift long-term boil water advisory until every house has direct water line
CBC
Leaders on a Saskatchewan First Nation say they won’t lift a decade-old boil water advisory until every home in the community has direct access to clean water from the local treatment plant. Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) can recommend that a boil water advisory be lifted, but it is ultimately up to the local chief and council. Click here to continue reading