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: Oil drilling threatens the Okavango River Basin, putting water in Namibia and Botswana at risk

PUBLISHED: 14 August 2023      Last Edited: 14 August 2023

The Conversation Africa

The Namibian and Botswana governments may be risking their water resources for oil and gas revenue. They have licensed a Canadian firm, ReconAfrica, to prospect for oil in the Cubango Okavango River Basin, in an area covering 34,000km². Click here to continue reading

Even treated wastewater affects our rivers

PUBLISHED: 14 August 2023      Last Edited: 14 August 2023

Science Daily

Wastewater treatment plants are undoubtedly a great achievement. After all, they have made a significant contribution to improving the quality of natural waters. A study shows, however, that substances still manage to enter the water cycle that have an impact on the composition of the organisms living in it. Click here to continue reading

Compare and Contrast: ‘An utter disgrace’: 90% of England’s most precious river habitats blighted by raw sewage and farming pollution

PUBLISHED: 14 August 2023      Last Edited: 14 August 2023

The Guardian

More than 90% of freshwater habitats on England’s most precious rivers are in unfavourable condition, blighted by farming pollution, raw sewage and water abstraction, an Observer investigation reveals. None of the approximately 40 rivers with protected habitats in England are in overall good health, according to an analysis of government inspection reports. These include the River Avon in Hampshire, the Wensum in Norfolk and the Eden in Cumbria. Click here to continue reading

Amid drought, several Metro Vancouver cities are inviting residents to show off their brown lawn — for a prize

PUBLISHED: 14 August 2023      Last Edited: 14 August 2023

CBC News

Amidst new water restrictions, several Lower Mainland municipalities are encouraging residents to flaunt their dehydrated lawns with pride. Municipalities including Port Coquitlam, Abbotsford, Mission and Chilliwack are asking residents to submit photos of their well-maintained, albeit brown lawns to win a prize. Click here to continue reading

‘The saving grace for agriculture’: Farmers look to irrigation amid climate woes

PUBLISHED: 14 August 2023      Last Edited: 14 August 2023

CBC News

Sean Stanford’s wheat farm just south of Lethbridge, Alta. falls within the far left corner of Palliser’s Triangle — an expanse of prairie grassland encompassing much of southeast Alberta, a swath of southern Saskatchewan, and the southwest corner of Manitoba. The area is named for explorer Capt. John Palliser, who in 1857, famously declared the entire region a wasteland — so hot and arid that no crops would ever grow. Click here to continue reading

Drought can have an impact on soil test results

PUBLISHED: 14 August 2023      Last Edited: 14 August 2023

The Western Producer

The direct damage from drought is obvious, but the real hurt might lie deeper in the soil and affect next year’s crop. The crop-killing drought that’s hanging prairie crops out to dry will have an impact on residual nutrients this fall. What can producers expect to see in their soil tests? Click here to continue reading

Drones put to work tracking down water stress relationship

PUBLISHED: 14 August 2023      Last Edited: 14 August 2023

The Western Producer

A University of Saskatchewan researcher is using drones to study the correlation between the thermal temperature of a plant and water stress, which typically means a shortness of water. Click here to continue reading

Return of El Niño raises risk of hunger, drought and malaria, scientists warn

PUBLISHED: 14 August 2023      Last Edited: 14 August 2023

The Guardian

The return of El Niño against the backdrop of the climate crisis will hurt people’s health in many parts of the world, scientists have warned. The hot natural weather pattern is back after three years of its cooler sister, La Niña, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) confirmed last month. As it grows stronger, scientists fear it will raise the risk in some countries of hunger, drought and malaria. Click here to continue reading

Mix of rain, hot weather present challenge for farmers in central Alberta

PUBLISHED: 14 August 2023      Last Edited: 14 August 2023

CTV News

Spring and summer have brought plenty of heat and rain, but it’s not all good news for farmers. Scott Jespersen says it’s created a unique situation. Click here to continue reading

Sask. RM declares ag disaster despite irrigation

PUBLISHED: 14 August 2023      Last Edited: 14 August 2023

The Western Producer

The council of the Rural Municipality of Rudy declared a drought disaster late last month even though it’s in the heart of Saskatchewan’s main irrigation area. The RM said drought and grasshopper infestations created the agricultural disaster. Less than 25 millimetres of rain have fallen in much of the region around Outlook. Click here to continue reading

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