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.
Subscribe here for the free service Weekly Newsletter, or follow the WaterPortal on your preferred social media platform.
City of Toronto launches tunnel boring machine for stormwater tunnel and largest basement flooding prevention project
Water Canada
The City of Toronto marked a major milestone for the Fairbank Silverthorn Storm Trunk Sewer System project, launching a tunnel boring machine that will work to construct a new storm sewer that will collect, store and move stormwater from the Fairbank-Silverthorn area to Black Creek to help reduce the risk of basement flooding. This is the City’s largest basement flooding prevention project to date. Click here to continue reading
New report: Funding for Canadian’ prairies water infrastructure urgently needed, but nature offers innovative solution
Water Canada
Our prairie provinces’ water infrastructure—from pipes to treatment facilities—upon which millions of Canadians depend is aging and depreciating at an alarming rate. However, natural infrastructure (NI) can offer a practical and cost-effective solution, when scaled up and adopted across all levels of government. Click here to continue reading
Quebec City is enforcing tighter water restrictions
CBC News
With the return of warm weather, residents will be allowed to water their property one day a week only, for a maximum of two hours. The Marchand administration tightened municipal regulations for the first time last year, limiting lawn watering to two days a week with the aim of preserving its drinking water supply. It also tested the new measures during a pilot project last year. Click here to continue reading
Coastal GasLink hit with more stop work orders over water pollution concerns
CBC News
Coastal GasLink has been issued stop work orders on a stretch of pipeline construction for the second time in just over a week, the latest in a pattern of environmental violations for polluting sensitive waterways. The pipeline project crosses about 625 lakes, rivers, creeks, wetlands, and streams in northern B.C. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: Barcelona’s beaches could vanish as authorities abandon ‘enhancement’
The Guardian
For the 1992 Olympic Games, Barcelona rediscovered the sea. It beefed up its beachfront using thousands of tons of sand, and the area is now packed with tourists and lined with beach bars. Barcelona’s beach may be partly artificial, but it’s big business. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: Impact of warmer seas on fish stocks leads to rise in pirate attacks
The Guardian
Dwindling fish stocks caused by the climate crisis are leading to an increase in pirate attacks, according to a new study looking at two piracy hotspots over the past two decades. Warmer seas have negatively affected fisheries in east Africa, one of the world’s worst areas for piracy; while in the South China Sea, another hotspot for attacks, it has had the opposite effect: fish populations have risen. Click here to continue reading
Canada and New Brunswick invest in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure improvements in St. Stephen and Nackawic-Millville
Water Canada
Funding will support the separation of combined sewers and upgrades to underground infrastructure along several main roads in the Municipal District of St. Stephen. The work will include constructing new storm sewers, replacing existing watermains, adding several catch basins and manholes, as well as renewing the asphalt on School Street and Union Street. Click here to continue reading
Health Canada warns about the dangers of water beads for kids
Vancouver Sun
Health Canada is warning parents and caregivers about the risks of water beads, a toy that can grow up to 1,500 times their size when placed in water. The product, also known as jelly beads, hydro orbs, crystal soil, sensory beads or orb beads, can be fatal if swallowed or cause harm if put in the ears or nose, the agency said. Click here to continue reading
Water drops a bit near Dawson City, but flood advisories still in effect
CBC News
Yukon emergency officials said Tuesday the water had dropped slightly in the Rock Creek area near Dawson City, but a flood warning was still in effect for the Klondike River. A flood watch — less urgent than a warning — was also maintained on Tuesday for the Yukon River at Dawson City. Click here to continue reading
Red Deerians still waiting for disaster relief from last summer’s heavy rain
Red Deer Advocate
A Red Deer couple who lost the majority of their backyard in a landslide last July is still waiting for provincial funding in order to stabilize their property near Waskasoo Creek. Three landslides were reported in Red Deer on July 11 and 12, 2022 after excessive rainfall a month earlier which saturated the soil and caused some areas to drop. Click here to continue reading