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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Northwest Angle No. 33 First Nation completes a new water treatment plant and lifts three long-term drinking water advisories
Water Canada
The new centralized water treatment plant will provide reliable access to safe and clean drinking water for 100 residents. The water treatment plant meets the community’s current needs and has the capacity to support future population growth over the next 20 years. This community-led project includes the construction of a water treatment plant, raw water intake and distribution system upgrades. Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) provided approximately $19 million for the project to ensure clean drinking water for community residents. Click here to continue reading
Water Security Agency expanding support for channel clearing and drainage project maintenance
Water Canada
The Water Security Agency (WSA) is expanding its support to help rural landowners, communities and local governments complete channel clearing and drainage project maintenance in Saskatchewan. Up to $1 million is available as part of a cost share rebate for individual landowners, rural and small urban municipalities, conservation and development area authorities (C&Ds) and watershed associations. Click here to continue reading
Regenerative agriculture and drought
Sylvan Lake News
Considering the drought challenges of the last few years in Central Alberta, it’s worth looking at strategies to improve drought resilience on farms and ranches. Regenerative agricultural practices contribute significantly to building drought resistance. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: Extreme flooding hits parts of N.Y. state
CBC News
Heavy rain sparked major floods in Orange County, N.Y., and surrounding areas over the weekend. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: Tomato crisis hits India as rain ravages crops and prices rise 400%
The Guardian
Listening to the chatter at Delhi’s vegetable markets, only one question is on everyone’s lips: just how much will a tomato cost today? Prices of tomatoes, a staple of Indian cooking, have soared by more than 400% in recent weeks as the country has been gripped by a nationwide shortage. Click here to continue reading
Antarctic ice levels see ‘massive decrease,’ global climate researcher says
Global News
Antarctic sea ice levels reached record lows last month, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Monday, a development climate change experts described as worrisome. WMO said that Antarctic sea ice levels last month — the hottest June ever recorded — were at their lowest since satellite observations began, at 17 per cent below average. Click here to continue reading
Microbial predators cause seasonal fluctuations in wastewater treatment
Science Daily
In wastewater treatment plants, a precisely coordinated interaction of different microorganisms takes place in order to effectively treat wastewater. However, a large part of the microorganisms involved in water treatment is still unknown. In addition to the beneficial bacteria that are responsible for purifying wastewater, many of their predators can also be found in the bioreactors. However, little is known so far about whether and to what extent these predators influence wastewater treatment. Click here to continue reading
Low water levels highlight system’s limitations
The Western Producer
Nearly $1 billion in funding for irrigation expansion in southern Alberta has been announced during the past two years with the potential to boost the region’s acres under pivot by 15 percent. However, this season’s reductions in water allocations due to low river levels, has cast doubt on what the impacts will be of potentially adding more than 200,000 acres to the irrigation system. Click here to continue reading
Asian clams’ spread in Columbia River warns of worse invaders
Science Daily
The invasive Asian clam is more common in the lower Columbia River than its native habitat of southeast Asia, according to a study of the clam’s abundance in the river. The findings don’t bode well for potential future invasions by the even more destructive quagga and zebra mussels. So far, the Columbia is one of the only major U.S. rivers to remain free of these notorious ecology-destroying, equipment-clogging bivalves. Click here to continue reading
At least 50 dead in Pakistan monsoon floods since end of June
The Guardian
At least 50 people, including eight children, have been killed by floods and landslides triggered by monsoon rains that have lashed Pakistan since last month, officials have said. The summer monsoon between June and September brings 70-80% of south Asia’s annual rainfall every year. It is vital for the livelihoods of millions of farmers and food security in a region of about 2 billion people – but it also triggers landslides and floods. Click here to continue reading