Water News
Please note, the daily news can now be found at our new website, waterportal.ca . We will no longer be updating this page, as this website will be removed in the coming weeks. All of our content can be found at our new website, with a modern look and better functionality on all your devices.
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: Global heating ‘doubled’ chance of extreme rain in Europe in September
The Guardian
Researchers found global heating aggravated the four days of heavy rainfall that led to deadly floods in countries from Austria to Romania. Click here to read the story.
Click the following link for more information on Flood.
Compare and contrast: Atmospheric methane increase during pandemic due primarily to wetland flooding
Science Daily
A new analysis of satellite data finds that the record surge in atmospheric methane emissions from 2020 to 2022 was driven by increased inundation and water storage in wetlands, combined with a slight decrease in atmospheric hydroxide (OH). The results have implications for efforts to decrease atmospheric methane and mitigate its impact on climate change. Click here to read the story.
Click the following link for more information on Climate and Severe Weather.
Newfoundland and Labrador becomes Canada’s first Well-Being Province with focus on safe and clean water
Water Canada
As part of the declaration, the provincial government is committed to improving the overall health and well-being of residents by addressing the social determinants of health – factors that influence quality of life, including access to clean water, safe housing, financial security, and education. Click here to read the story.
Click the following link for more information on Governance.
Compare and contrast: Eye on the Fertile Crescent: Life Along the Mideast’s Fabled Rivers
Yale Environment 360
A series of dams and years of conflict have transformed the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which gave rise to some of the world’s earliest civilizations. Kurdish photographer Murat Yazar focused his lens on these rivers of his homeland and on the people who live alongside them. Click here to read the story.
2024-2025 Student Action on Canadian Water Attitudes Competition announced
Water Canada
The Safe Drinking Water Foundation (SDWF) has launched the 2024-2025 Student Action on Canadian Water Attitudes competition, thanks to funding from The W. Garfield Weston Foundation and RBC. The initiative aims to engage students from kindergarten to grade 12 across Canada in addressing water issues within their communities. Click here to read the story.
Concern over dead fish, water levels in reservoir southwest of Edmonton
Global News
Hundreds of dead fish have washed ashore, after an Alberta creek’s water levels dropped significantly. A family who’s lived in the area for generations believe the Alberta Energy Regulator needs to step in to help save the ecosystem. Click here to read the story.
Ontario invests $25M in water infrastructure to enable over 2,200 homes in Cobourg
Water Canada
The Ontario government is investing up to $25 million in water infrastructure to support the construction of 2,266 new homes in the Town of Cobourg. The funding is part of the first round of investments under the province’s Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund, which includes $970 million to help municipalities develop, repair, and expand drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems essential for housing development. Click here to read the story.
Click the following link for more information on Infrastructure.
Compare and contrast: GAR Special Report 2024: Forensic Insights for Future Resilience – Learning from Past Disasters
UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
The UNDRR’s new report is 10 case studies of global disasters. Included are 2024’s Lebanon floods, 2023’s Central American drought, 2020-23’s Horn of Africa floods and drought, 2021’s Jamaica floods and 2023’s Canada wildfires. What makes the report particularly interesting is the methodology applied. Click here to read the story.
Compare and contrast: Ecuador cuts power in half of its provinces amid historic drought
Reuters
Ecuador’s government has announced the suspension of electricity service for nine hours on Sunday in 12 of the Andean nation’s 24 provinces and placed 19 areas on red alert due to a drought that has reduced the water levels of hydroelectric plants. Click here to read the story.
Compare and contrast: Six water firms in England ‘overcharged customers by up to £1.5bn’
The Guardian
Six water companies overcharged customers between £800m and £1.5bn by “significantly or systematically” underreporting the true scale of their sewage pollution of rivers and waterways, a tribunal has heard. Click here to read the story.