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: As water becomes a weapon of war, we must focus on cooperation and peace
The Guardian
In recent months, the world has been bombarded with reports of attacks on major dams and civilian water systems in Ukraine, water being used as a weapon during the violence in Gaza and the West Bank, unrest and riots in India and Iran over water scarcity and drought, and conflicts between farmers and herders in Africa over land and water sources. Our limited and precious freshwater resources have become triggers, weapons and casualties of war and conflict. Click here to continue reading
Compare and contrast: First-Ever Flood Forecasting Maps Show Houses and Roads at Risk
Scientific American
The National Weather Service venture offers the first real-time forecasting service that shows precise areas such as city blocks likely to experience at least an inch of flooding over the subsequent five days, shading the areas blue on an online map. Click here to continue reading
Dieppe to test residential water meters as Bathurst considers ditching them
CBC
Two New Brunswick cities are considering opposite approaches when it comes to residential water meters. Bathurst in the northeast has meters but is considering switching to a flat-rate model based on the cost to update its system. Dieppe in the southeast charges a flat rate but will test meters in several hundred homes next year. Click here to continue reading
Compare and contrast: Campaigners warn against Thames Water’s £250m effluent ‘recycling’ scheme
The Guardian
Thames Water is facing a public backlash over a multimillion-pound water “recycling” scheme promoted as a solution to tackling climate crisis-induced droughts. The technology involves using effluent from sewage treatment works, putting it through a further layer of treatment and releasing the treated water into a river, in order to replace the same amount of water that is abstracted off for drinking water. Click here to continue reading
Compare and contrast: Solar-powered device produces clean water and clean fuel at the same time
Science Daily
A floating, solar-powered device that can turn contaminated water or seawater into clean hydrogen fuel and purified water, anywhere in the world, has been developed by researchers. Click here to continue reading
Compare and contrast: Extreme drought in northern Italy mirrors climate in Ethiopia
The Guardian
Extreme drought in northern Italy has doubled over the past two decades, creating a climate that increasingly mirrors that of Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa, research shows. Click here to continue reading
Compare and contrast: Earth’s surface water dives deep, transforming core’s outer layer
Science Daily
A new study has revealed that water from the Earth’s surface can penetrate deep into the planet, altering the composition of the outermost region of the metallic liquid core and creating a distinct, thin layer. Click here to continue reading
Compare and contrast: France is one of the world’s richest countries. Why are its territories facing water shortages?
Euronews Green
Drop by disappearing drop, water is an ever more precious resource on Mayotte, the poorest place in the European Union.
Taps flow just one day out of three in this French territory off Africa’s eastern coast, because of a drawn-out drought compounded by years of underinvestment and water mismanagement. Click here to continue reading
BC Hydro scrambles to tranquilize and remove bears hibernating in Site C dam flood zone before waters rise
The Narwhal
While construction of the megadam has been underway for more than eight years, B.C.’s public utility appears to be engaged in last-minute efforts to find grizzlies and black bears and relocate them to artificial dens — a plan one biologist says is ‘potentially deadly’ for the creatures. Click here to continue reading
Compare and contrast: Ontario plunges $1.3M into Lake Simcoe cleanup
National Observer
Ontario announced over $1.3 million to help tackle persistent problems with high phosphorus levels in Lake Simcoe. Phosphorus levels in Lake Simcoe are still at 90 tonnes per year, far higher than the crucial target of 44 tonnes per year by 2030 reduction goal set in the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan for 2023. Click here to continue reading