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.
It was called a once-in-a-century flood. Cities aren’t sure they’re ready for the next one
CBC
British Columbia municipalities face challenge of mitigating floodwaters that flow across international borders. Click here to continue reading
Compare and contrast: Flood protection plans for English homes cut by 40%
The Guardian
The number of properties that will be better protected from flooding by 2027 has been cut by 40%, and 500 of 2,000 new flood defence projects have been abandoned, according to the National Audit Office (NAO). Click here to continue reading
Compare and contrast: Melting ice falling snow: Sea ice declines enhance snowfall over West Antarctica
Science Daily
As the world continues to warm, Antarctica is losing ice at an increasing pace, but the loss of sea ice may lead to more snowfall over the ice sheets, partially offsetting contributions to sea level rise, according to Penn State scientists. Click here to continue reading
Compare and contrast: State of emergency declared in parts of France after record rainfall
The Guardian
Widespread flooding in northern and eastern France has led to thousands of people having to evacuate their waterlogged homes, the collapse of roads and the closure of schools and public buildings. Record rainfall has caused rivers to break their banks, forcing the government to declare an official state of emergency in hundreds of towns and villages. Click here to continue reading
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