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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Compare and Contrast: Barcelona’s beaches could vanish as authorities abandon ‘enhancement’

PUBLISHED: 11 May 2023      Last Edited: 11 May 2023

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

PUBLISHED: 11 May 2023      Last Edited: 11 May 2023

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

PUBLISHED: 11 May 2023      Last Edited: 11 May 2023

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

PUBLISHED: 10 May 2023      Last Edited: 10 May 2023

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

PUBLISHED: 10 May 2023      Last Edited: 10 May 2023

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

PUBLISHED: 10 May 2023      Last Edited: 10 May 2023

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

Alix council wants to track visitors to its namesake lake

PUBLISHED: 10 May 2023      Last Edited: 10 May 2023

East Central Alberta Review

Alix village council wants to track visitors to its namesake lake and may be using a number of different methods to do it. The decision was made at the May 3 regular meeting of council. Councilors passed a resolution for staff to investigate methods to gather visitor input and present a report at a future meeting. Click here to continue reading

Saskatchewan’s Water Security Agency investing in flood hazard mapping improvement

PUBLISHED: 10 May 2023      Last Edited: 10 May 2023

Water Canada

The Water Security Agency (WSA) is continuing to enhance and improve water management for the province with a key investment in the Flood Hazard Identification Mapping Program. As part of WSA’s 2023-24 budget, over $2 million is being invested to support flood mapping efforts throughout the province of Saskatchewan. Click here to continue reading

It seems patio season has been saved for Inglewood businesses facing water-main woes

PUBLISHED: 09 May 2023      Last Edited: 09 May 2023

CTV News

This year, the city needs to replace a water main under 9th Avenue S.E. in the community of Inglewood. It has known since 2017 the work was required but still hasn’t set a firm start date. That caused concern among businesses hoping to open on-street patios this spring and summer. Click here to continue reading

Irrigation underway in southern Alberta as LNID’s headworks canal remains under repair

PUBLISHED: 09 May 2023      Last Edited: 09 May 2023

Global News

Water is flowing through southern Alberta’s irrigation districts. “We’ve been moving water downstream, flushing our canals,” said St. Mary River Irrigation District (SMRID) general manager David Westwood. “We’re now starting to fill some of our pipelines and we’re still moving water to the eastern part of our district.” Click here to continue reading