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, or follow the WaterPortal on your preferred social media platform.
Compare and contrast: Another Hot, Dry Summer May Push Parts of Texas to the Brink
Inside Climate News
Two consecutive summers of brutal heat and drought have left some parts of Texas with notably low water supplies going into 2024. A wet year or a well-placed hurricane could quickly pull these regions back from the brink. But winter rains have disappointed so far. Click here to continue reading
Athabasca Chief Allan Adam consulting with Ottawa on First Nations Clean Water Act
Edmonton Journal
Water — and last year’s tailings fluid leaks from Imperial Oil’s Kearl oilsands mine — were top of mind when Indigenous leaders and technicians from around Alberta met with the federal minister of Indigenous services this week in Edmonton. Click here to continue reading
Farmers in Alberta face growing risk of soil erosion events as drought persists
Global News
Nearly a century after the mass agricultural disaster known as the Dirty ’30s, drought conditions on the Prairies are once again raising the risk that farmers’ valuable topsoil will go blowing in the wind. Click here to continue reading
Compare and contrast: Aridity Could Dry Up Southwestern Mine Proposals
Inside Climate News
Critical minerals for the clean energy transition are abundant in the Southwest, but the dozens of mines proposed to access them will require vast sums of water, something in short supply in the desert. Click here to continue reading
Compare and contrast: Alberta Invests in Natural Drought and Flood Protection
Water Canada
Watersheds are areas of land that drain rainfall and melted snow into streams, rivers, and lakes. Healthy and resilient watersheds play an important role in preventing drought, reducing the risk of floods and supporting healthy communities and ecosystems. Click here to continue reading
Compare and contrast: No recharge: Long-term Prairie drought raises concerns over groundwater levels
Calgary Herald
“The lowest water levels are all in the last seven years and the levels are much lower now than they were in the ’70s and ’80s,” Pomeroy said. “It’ll be a climate signal that we’re seeing.”. Click here to continue reading
Athabasca Chief Allan Adam consulting with Ottawa on First Nations Clean Water Act
Edmonton Journal
Water — and last year’s tailings fluid leaks from Imperial Oil’s Kearl oilsands mine — were top of mind when Indigenous leaders and technicians from around Alberta met with the federal minister of Indigenous services this week in Edmonton. Click here to continue reading
St. Mary’s River Irrigation District’s January Water Supply Update
As of January 16, 2024, St. Mary’s River Irrigation District’s reservoirs are at 43% of the Full Supply Limit, headworks reservoirs at 27% and total St. Mary Project reservoirs at 34%, targeting lower winter storage levels of the Full Supply Limit
Water grants now available
The Western Producer
The Land Stewardship Centre has opened applications for its 2024 Watershed Stewardship Grant. The grant is available to organizations in Alberta that are planning a water project, including stewardship and synergy groups, naturalist organizations, First Nations and Métis communities, recreational and community associations and other non-profits. Click here to continue reading
150 Calgary households still get drinking water through lead pipes. Half have refused replacement
CBC
More than three years after the City of Calgary launched its $14 million accelerated lead pipe removal program, roughly 150 households in Calgary still get their drinking water through lead pipes. Half of those households have declined replacement, often due to costs. Click here to continue reading