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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Plastic waste puts millions of world’s poorest at higher risk from floods
The Guardian
A devastating 2005 flood that killed 1,000 people in the Indian city of Mumbai was blamed on a tragically simple problem: plastic bags had blocked storm drains, stopping monsoon flood water from draining out of the city. Now a new report, attempting to quantify this problem, estimates that 218 million of the world’s poorest people are at risk from more severe and frequent flooding caused by plastic waste. Click here to continue reading
Government of Canada taking next step in addressing “forever chemicals” PFAS
Water Canada
PFAS, sometimes referred to as “forever chemicals”, are a large group of extremely persistent human-made substances used in a wide range of everyday products, such as food packaging, non-stick cookware, clothing, and cosmetics. They are also used in industrial products and specialized applications including firefighting foams, lubricants, and oil/water repellants. PFAS are found nearly everywhere in the environment, including in the air, groundwater, oceans, lakes, rivers, and soils, as well as in wastewater, landfill leachate, sewage sludge, and contaminated sites worldwide. Click here to continue reading
Expansion and upgrades to Bonnybrook Wastewater Treatment Plant turns waste gas into power and keeps Calgarians flushing for years to come
City of Calgary
We often take for granted that when our toilets flush, the waste just disappears, never to be seen again. However, the level of technical and specialized knowledge, skills and equipment that’s needed to operate and maintain a facility that takes care of our wastewater and protects the health of our rivers is immense, and exceptionally complex. That’s why The City is investing over $1 billion in a program of extensive upgrades and expansions to the Bonnybrook Wastewater Treatment Plant to protect the environment and accommodate our city’s future growth. Click here to continue reading
Alberta wildfire count decreases after spate of rain
CBC News
The Alberta wildfire count has decreased slightly after several days of sporadic rainfall offered a reprieve for firefighters. According to the provincial wildfire status dashboard around noon Wednesday, there were 71 wildfires burning across Alberta. In Alberta’s forest protection zones, there were 67 wildfires with 17 considered out of control. Click here to continue reading
How nature could help fix our flooding and sewerage problems
Discover Wildlife
With climate change and overloaded sewerage systems driving more and more extreme flooding events, engineers are increasingly turning to nature for solutions. Click here to continue reading
Edmonton bringing back public water bottle filling stations
CTV News
For the third summer in a row, the city is setting up water bottle filling stations to make sure Edmontonians have access to clean, safe drinking water. The stations are attached to fire hydrants and are located near public city washrooms wherever possible. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: Italy cleans up following deadly floods
CBC News
Italy’s Emilia Romagna region will recover from the devastating floods that hit this week by taking from lessons learned from the 2012 earthquake, its governor said Friday, as the death toll from the disaster rose to 14. Click here to continue reading
‘A really sad time in our community’: Fort McPherson, N.W.T., faces devastation, loss
CBC News
The water in Fort McPherson, N.W.T., is receding, but the community continues to face devastation as homes near Eight Miles were destroyed and the recent deaths of three people from the hamlet has families and friends grieving. Click here to continue reading
Council approves budget adjustment to upsize the water main
Sylvan News
The Town of Sylvan Lake adjusted its budget to upsize a water main in the Grey Hawk subdivision from a 250 mm line to a 400 mm line. The town felt upgrading the line was necessary since it is more cost-effective to upgrade the water main during construction of the subdivision rather than having to upgrade the water main at a later date, communications officer Jared Waldo said. Click here to continue reading
Half of world’s largest lakes losing water
Science Daily
Fifty-three percent of the world’s largest freshwater lakes are in decline, storing less water than they did three decades ago, according to a new study. The study analyzed satellite observations dating back decades to measure changes in water levels in nearly 2,000 of the world’s biggest lakes and reservoirs. It found that climate change, human consumption and sedimentation are responsible. Click here to continue reading