Water News
Please note, the daily news can now be found at our new website, waterportal.ca . We will no longer be updating this page, as this website will be removed in the coming weeks. All of our content can be found at our new website, with a modern look and better functionality on all your devices.
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: Study combines woodchips and biochar to clean water of pharmaceuticals, nutrients
Science Daily
In a new study, researchers show how a simple system using woodchips and a bit of glorified sawdust — designer biochar — can dramatically reduce nitrogen, phosphorus, and multiple common drugs in wastewater. Click here to read the story.
Compare and contrast: The 2022 European drought: What was the role of climate change?
Science Daily
A research team has now discovered that more than 30 percent of the extraordinary intensity and physical extent of the drought can be attributed to human-induced climate change. This extreme event was exacerbated by the fact that climate change had already caused soil moisture levels to drop continuously over the previous years. Click here to read the story. Click the following link for more information on Climate and Severe Weather.
UK rivers contain ‘cocktail of chemicals and stimulants’ endangering aquatic life
The Guardian
The UK’s rivers contain a cocktail of chemicals and stimulants including caffeine, antidepressants and painkillers from water company sewage releases, polluting freshwaters at levels which can pose a risk to aquatic life, testing has found. Click here to read the story.
ALUS receives grant from Coca-Cola to support watershed health in communities across Canada
Water Canada
ALUS, a charitable organization supporting nature-based solutions in local communities, has announced a $162,500 grant from The Coca-Cola Company in Canada to bolster community-based efforts around nature-based solutions for water in the regions in which the company operates. This funding is critical to helping farmers and ranchers carry out projects to improve watershed health, supporting Canadian water systems. Click here to read the story.
Compare and contrast: Australia to toughen rules around acceptable levels of key PFAS chemicals in drinking water under draft guidelines
The Guardian
Australia could toughen the rules regarding the acceptable levels of key PFAS chemicals in drinking water, lowering the amount of so-called forever chemicals allowed per litre. Click here to read the story.
Toxic algal blooms threaten Canadian drinking water, but scientists are developing a way to protect against the harmful slime
CBC
Dangerous, slimy mats of blue-green algae are plaguing Lake Erie and other lakes across North America, not only interfering with ecosystems and recreational activities, but also complicating municipal water treatment processes. Click here to read the story.
Compare and contrast: Residents and activists in central Bosnia clean up a lake after massive floods
Toronto Star
Residents and activists on Sunday pulled out heaps of debris and trash from a lake in a central Bosnian region that was devastated by deadly floods and landslides more than two weeks ago.Using boats and motor vehicles, the volunteers scooped up plastics, wood and other objects that were swept away by raging waters during the rainstorm in early October and ended up in the Lake Jablanica. Click here to read the story. Click the following link for more information on Flood.
‘A responsibility to protect’: Canada launches independent agency to manage freshwater
The Narwhal
Home to more than 100,000 lakes, rivers, creeks and streams, and more than 200,000 square kilometres of wetlands, Manitoba is no stranger to water and now it will put that expertise to use as a new hub for Canada’s water policy, research and funding initiatives. Click here to read the story.
Compare and contrast: Half of all global food threatened by growing water crisis, report says
NBC News
Densely populated areas such as northwestern India, northeastern China and southern and eastern Europe will bear the brunt of water mismanagement, according to the Global Commission on the Economics of Water. Click here to read the story.
Incoming atmospheric river prompts weather advisories in British Columbia, including for Rogers Pass
CTV News
A moisture-laden system in the upper atmosphere is heading toward the Pacific coastline and is expected to produce a large amount of precipitation. Special weather statements have been issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada in anticipation of this atmospheric river, advising 50 to 80 millimetres of rain is possible along the Trans-Canada Highway around Rogers Pass. Click here to read the story.