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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World’s oceans changing colour due to climate breakdown, study suggests
The Guardian
Earth’s oceans are changing colour and climate breakdown is probably to blame, according to research. The deep blue sea is actually becoming steadily greener over time, according to the study, with areas in the low latitudes near the equator especially affected. Click here to continue reading
After heavy rains, floodwaters begin to recede in parts of Quebec
CBC News
Residents who left their homes amid the threat of flooding in southern Quebec are returning home on Wednesday, but the extent of the damage caused by diluvial rains is yet unclear and public officials are warning about the risk of landslides. Click here to continue reading
‘Heartless’: Edmonton’s removal of two public water fountains during heat wave harmful, says advocate
Edmonton Journal
Two recently-installed public water stations Downtown have been quietly and suddenly disconnected, a move one advocate called a “heartless” decision by the city amid temperatures so hot it prompted a heat warning in Edmonton this past weekend. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: Aerial video shows buildings swamped by deadly floods and landslides in Japan – video
The Guardian
The Japan meteorological agency warned residents of Kyushu – one of the country’s four main islands – to stay alert for more landslides, a common hazard in mountainous areas after heavy rainfall. Japan has been hit by unusually heavy rain and powerful typhoons in recent years, raising fears about its vulnerability to the climate crisis. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: ‘It’s pillage’: thirsty Uruguayans decry Google’s plan to exploit water supply
The Guardian
A plan to build a Google data centre that will use millions of litres of water a day has sparked anger in Uruguay, which is suffering its worst drought in 74 years. Water shortages are so severe in the country that a state of emergency has been declared in Montevideo and the authorities have added salty water to the public drinking water supplies, prompting widespread protests. Click here to continue reading
Manitoba Government announces action plan for water resources
Water Canada
The Manitoba government has released its initial water strategy action plan—a focused guide to specific actions to ensure sustainability of the province’s valuable water resources for current and future generations of Manitobans, Environment and Climate Minister Kevin Klein and Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson announced today. Click here to continue reading
Ducks Unlimited Canada to deliver 40 wetland projects in Southern Ontario
Water Canada
Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is preparing to restore or enhance 40 wetlands across southern Ontario thanks to renewed investments in the Wetlands Conservation Partner Program, (WCPP). At a recent news conference, David Piccini, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks renewed the Government of Ontario’s commitment to fund wetland projects in the Great Lakes Region. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: Vermont flooding leads to state of emergency declaration for entire state
CBC News
A storm that dumped up to two months of rain in two days in Vermont and other parts of the U.S. northeast brought more flooding Tuesday in communities marooned by water, where a dam just upstream was threatening to overflow. If water pours over the dam on the Winooski River that flows through the state capital Montpelier, it could surge through downtown blocks where the floods were already waist-high. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: Massachusetts drinking water may contain unsafe levels of manganese
Science Daily
A new study has found that concentrations of manganese in a Massachusetts community’s drinking water often surpassed the maximum recommended levels of manganese stated in current guidelines. The findings also suggest that the observed manganese levels may be high enough to pose a risk to children and other vulnerable communities who are exposed. Click here to continue reading
Summer storms raise flood risk, force evacuations in Quebec
CBC News
Officials ordered the evacuation of some 220 homes in Ste-Brigitte-de-Laval, Que., near Quebec City, amid fears that heavy rains and rising water levels could lead to flash flooding. City manager Marc Proulx says 70 millimetres of rain fell over a few hours north of the town and that the water level of the Montmorency River is rising rapidly and the evacuation was ordered to ensure residents can leave safely. Click here to continue reading