Water News 2023
Dam breach could be Ukraine’s ‘worst ecological disaster since Chornobyl’
The Guardian
Ukrainian scientists are waiting for the water to subside before fully assessing the environmental impact of the Kakhovka dam breach, but one former minister warned it could prove the country’s worst ecological disaster since the Chornobyl nuclear meltdown. Click here to continue reading
Wheat prices jump following collapse of major dam in southern Ukraine
Sylvan Lake News
Global prices for wheat and corn soared Tuesday after a major dam in Ukraine collapsed, renewing market fears about the fragility of the country’s ability to ship food to Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia as it fights a war with Russia. Click here to continue reading
Calgary monitoring river levels amid below-average mountain snowpack levels
CTV News
Even along the continental divide, where winter snows historically lingered until July most years, there is very little, if any, snow left. It means rivers such as the Bow and the Elbow will get the majority of their volume from groundwater and any rain that falls. Click here to continue reading
Scuba divers in awe as deep-water shark ends up in shallow Vancouver Island waters
CBC News
A group of British Columbia scuba divers on Vancouver Island spotted a bluntnose sixgill shark on a recent dive in Alberni Inlet, capturing what they say is rare footage of the animal in shallow waters. Click here to continue reading
Zelenskyy calls for international aid as waters rise, Ukrainians flee homes after dam break
CBC News
Ukrainians abandoned their inundated homes as floodwaters crested across a swath of the south on Wednesday after the destruction of a vast dam on the front line between Russian and Ukrainian forces that each blamed on the other. Click here to continue reading
Cenovus fined after wastewater release from former Husky-owned pipeline
CTV News
Cenovus Energy is facing a fine over a release of wastewater into a wetland. In 2020, a pipeline then belonging to Husky Oil released about 206 cubic metres of produced water through a break in the line and into the surrounding wetland. Cenovus, which merged with Husky in 2021, has been assessed a $140,000 fine by the Alberta Energy Regulator after pleading guilty in provincial court. Click here to continue reading
‘We are terrified’: Calgary woman who fled Russian occupation helps victims of dam collapse in Ukraine
Calgary Herald
The collapse of a dam in southern Ukraine has unleashed a tsunami of water, triggering fears of an ecological catastrophe. Click here to continue reading
Lessons from ‘The Blob’ will help us manage fisheries during future marine heatwaves
Science Daily
In early 2014, a great anomaly descended upon the seas: A patch of warm water that manifested in the Gulf of Alaska. Scientists called it “The Blob.” The Blob was the largest marine heatwave on global record, and impacted the entire food web between Mexico and Alaska, from plankton to whales. A strong El Niño prolonged this marine heatwave through 2016. Click here to continue reading
Rain in Shelburne County allowing crews to attack fire more directly
CBC News
Crews finished the weekend “with smiles on their face at the end of the day” thanks to a heavy dousing of rain, says a Department of Natural Resources official. The fire, which has been burning since May 27, is still out of control and covers an area of 24,980 hectares, or about 250 square kilometres. Click here to continue reading
Agricultural trade to resume to Saudi Arabia
The Western Producer
A potential market for Canadian wheat and barley has been repaired with the stroke of a pen. Canada has restored diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia and the two countries will soon appoint new ambassadors, according to Reuters. That ends a political spat that started in 2018 and disrupted trade. Click here to continue reading
River diversions may cause microplastics to remain longer on land and in streams before reaching oceans
Science Daily
Diverting streams and rivers to irrigate crops or provide drinking water may significantly extend the time microplastics spend in river catchments before they flow into our oceans, a new study reveals. Click here to continue reading
Canada and British Columbia invest in upgrades to wastewater treatment infrastructure in B.C. communities
Water Canada
In New Westminster, this investment will support the separation of combined sewers and related infrastructure upgrades to increase the City’s capacity to manage wastewater and treat or manage storm water. Project works will include the installation of 24 rain gardens, 8.4 kilometres of storm sewers, three permanent flow monitoring stations, as well as any necessary associated works and rehabilitation of roads impacted by the project. The combined sewer separation works will help improve the quality of storm water that enters the Fraser River. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: Bureau of Meteorology puts Australia on ‘El Niño alert’
The Guardian
The Bureau of Meteorology has placed Australia on “El Niño alert”, warning there is now a 70% chance of the climate system developing before the end of this year. El Niño tends to reduce rainfall and push up daytime temperatures in winter and spring, increasing the risk of bushfires, heatwaves and coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef. Click here to continue reading
Ukraine dam breached, unleashing floods as residents ordered to evacuate
CBC News
The fallout could have broad consequences: Flooding homes, streets and businesses downstream; depleting water levels upstream that help cool Europe’s largest nuclear power plant; and draining supplies of drinking water to the south in Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed. Click here to continue reading
Feds warn 2023 on track to be the worst fire season ever seen in Canada
CTV News
Canada’s emergency preparedness minister says images of wildfires burning across the country are some of the most severe ever witnessed in Canada and the current forecast for the next few months indicates the potential for continued higher-than-normal fire activity. Click here to continue reading
‘We need wetlands’: Saskatchewan environmental groups concerned over drainage plan
Sask Today
Clint Blyth continues to see his stream banks erode each year. The southeastern Saskatchewan rancher says the degradation is caused by those upstream who illegally drain water, as every year huge gushes take chunks out of the banks. This year, it has forced him to move his fence line by about one metre. Click here to continue reading
What is Ukraine’s Nova Kakhovka dam?
CBC News
A huge Soviet-era dam on the Dnipro River that separates Russian and Ukrainian forces in southern Ukraine was breached on Tuesday, unleashing floodwaters across the war zone. Ukraine said Russia had destroyed it, while Russia said Ukraine sabotaged it to cut off water supplies to Crimea and distract attention from a “faltering” counter-offensive. What is the dam, what happened — and what do we not know? Click here to continue reading
Too late now to save Arctic summer ice, climate scientists find
The Guardian
It is now too late to save summer Arctic sea ice, research has shown, and scientists say preparations need to be made for the increased extreme weather across the northern hemisphere that is likely to occur as a result. Analysis shows that even if greenhouse gas emissions are sharply reduced, the Arctic will be ice-free in September in coming decades. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: Top US chemical firms to pay $1.2bn to settle water contamination lawsuits
The Guardian
DuPont and two related companies said they would pay close to $1.2bn to settle liability claims brought by public water systems serving the vast majority of the US population on Friday, just days before the start of a bellwether trial in South Carolina over PFAS contamination. Click here to continue reading
River to safety: Evacuees forced from Fort Chipewyan, Alta., find relief in Fort McKay
CBC News
As an out-of-control wildfire inched closer to the northeastern Alberta community of Fort Chipewyan, Dennis Shott spent the night leading evacuees to safety by water. Shott led the first convoy of boats south along the Athabasca River, helping others navigate the turbulent river to the docks of Fort McKay, as smoke drifted through the dark. Click here to continue reading
Seeding almost complete in central Alberta
Red Deer Advocate
In total, 96 per cent of major crops have been seeded, up 13 per cent from a week earlier. That is slightly behind the five-year average of 98.6 per cent and the 10-year average of 97.4 per cent. However, moisture remains a concern, says the report from Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation and Agricultural Financial Services Corporation. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: Iraq’s oil boom blamed for worsening water crisis in drought-hit south
The Guardian
Water scarcity has already displaced thousands and increased instability, according to international experts, while Iraq is now considered the fifth most vulnerable country to the climate crisis by the UN. In the oil-rich but extremely dry south, wetlands that used to feed entire communities are now muddy canals. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: Clumps of 5,000-mile seaweed blob bring flesh-eating bacteria to Florida
The Guardian
The alarming discovery by marine biologists at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) lends a dangerous new aspect to the brown seaweed onslaught, which is already threatening to spoil the state’s busy summer tourism season as coatings of decaying goop exude a pungent aroma akin to that of rotting eggs. Click here to continue reading
Officials declare Halifax-area wildfire largely contained as rain brings relief
Sylvan Lake News
A Halifax-area wildfire that forced thousands of residents from their homes over the past week is 85 per cent contained and no longer spreading, officials said Saturday morning. Click here to continue reading
Wildfire situation improving, Alberta no longer in state of emergency
CTV News
Alberta is no longer under a provincial state of emergency. The Emergency Management Act was invoked on May 6 to help mobilize firefighting and evacuee resources as 110 wildfires burned in the province. So far in the 2023 Alberta wildfire season, there have been 563 wildfires. Click here to continue reading
Boil Water Advisory lifted
City of Calgary
The precautionary Boil Water Advisory that went into effect for the communities of Silverado, Belmont and Yorkville has been fully lifted by Alberta Health Services. The advisory for the community of Silverado was lifted on June 3, with the remaining communities of Belmont and Yorkville lifted on June 4. Click here to continue reading
New accessible fishing dock now open in Lacombe
Red Deer Advocate
A new fully accessible fishing dock is now open at a Lacombe pond. There was a grand opening for the dock at the Len Thompson Trout Pond on Saturday ahead of the Lacombe Fish and Game Association’s annual Kids Can Catch event. Click here to continue reading
Record-breaking heat in N.W.T., Nunavut, has ‘scary’ implications for land users
CBC News
In fact, it was the hottest ever on record for the communities of Arviat, Baker Lake, and Rankin Inlet in Nunavut, as well as for Fort Liard, Fort Simpson and Yellowknife in the N.W.T. Taking a step back and looking at the entire meteorological spring, from the start of March to the end of May — it was the driest ever on record for Fort Liard. Click here to continue reading
Government of Canada invests in further protecting Canada’s waters from aquatic invasive species
Water Canada
Threats to biodiversity are being felt across Canada and the world. After habitat loss, invasive species are the second biggest threat to global biodiversity. Aquatic invasive species pose a serious threat to Canada’s waters, economy and society. They can grow quickly, compete with native species and alter habitats. Click here to continue reading
Microplastics found in every sample of water taken during Ocean Race
The Guardian
Sailors testing the waters during the Ocean Race, which travels through some of the world’s most remote ocean environments, have found microplastics in every sample. Up to 1,884 microplastic particles were found per cubic metre of seawater in some locations, up to 18 times higher than in similar tests during the last Ocean Race, which ended in 2018. Scientists noted that the sensitivity of their instruments is now higher. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: 3M requests trial delay to settle PFAS water contamination lawsuit
The Guardian
3M was scheduled to face trial in South Carolina federal court on Monday in a lawsuit brought by the Florida city accusing the company of manufacturing PFAS, or per- and polyflouroalkyl substances, despite knowing for decades that the chemicals can cause cancer and other ailments. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: Arizona limits future home-building in Phoenix area due to lack of groundwater
The Guardian
The state of Arizona has restricted future home-building in the Phoenix area due to a lack of groundwater, based on projections showing that wells will run dry under existing conditions. The action by the Arizona department of water resources on Thursday is set to slow population growth for the Phoenix region, the state capital, home to 4.6 million people and one of the most rapidly expanding areas of the United States. Click here to continue reading
Preparing for weather-related emergencies in Canada
Statistics Canada
In fall 2022, 1 in 5 Canadians were extremely or very concerned about the risk of a weather-related emergency or natural disaster affecting their household. Click here to continue reading
Calgary-based biosand filter organization celebrating 30 years of providing clean water
CTV News
The Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology (CAWST) has 1.7 million of its biosand filters in communities all over the world. Taryn Meyers, senior manager of marketing and engagement, says they’re made with simple elements that can be found locally and consist mainly of concrete and filtered sand. Click here to continue reading
Government of Canada continues to monitor and invest in COVID-19 wastewater monitoring
Water Canada
On May 5, 2023, the World Health Organization determined the current COVID-19 situation no longer constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), however the Government of Canada recognizes that the SARS-CoV-2 virus is still circulating across Canada and worldwide. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: The farmers dealing with water shortages even before historic Colorado River deal
The Guardian
In 2022, the Colorado River water allocated for farmers in central Arizona – the state’s tri-county urban and agricultural heartland – was cut by 65% overall, but most Pinal county farmers lost 80% or more. This year the allocation is virtually zero, as the river’s complex priority system means farmers in central Arizona currently bear the brunt of the state’s reduced allocation. Click here to continue reading
Government of Canada investing in preventing aquatic invasive species in Quebec’s waters
Water Canada
Aquatic invasive species pose a serious threat to Canada’s waters, economy and society when species are introduced to areas outside their native environment, they can grow quickly, compete with other species and alter habitats, causing serious ecological harm in our waters. Click here to continue reading
An Alberta miner’s proposal to drill 7,200 wells near Winnipeg has rural residents on edge
CBC News
An Alberta mining company wants to drill thousands of wells in southeastern Manitoba to remove millions of tonnes of sand in an aquifer that serves as the source of drinking water for tens of thousands of people. Click here to continue reading
Bay du Nord on hold for 3 years, Equinor announces
CBC News
Canada’s first deep water oil project has been shelved for three years “in the face of challenging market conditions,” according to Norwegian oil giant Equinor. The company sent a news release shortly after noon on Wednesday, in the midst of the Energy N.L. Conference and Exhibition in St. John’s. Click here to continue reading
Earth’s health failing in seven out of eight key measures, say scientists
The Guardian
Human activity has pushed the world into the danger zone in seven out of eight newly demarcated indicators of planetary safety and justice, according to a groundbreaking analysis of the Earth’s wellbeing. Click here to continue reading
‘Unprecedented’ Nova Scotia wildfires expected to worsen, officials warn
The Guardian
Officials in the province of Nova Scotia say unprecedented wildfires that have forced thousands from their homes will keep growing despite the “water, raw muscle power and air power” deployed by fire crews. Click here to continue reading
Essex County, Ont., farmers hope for ‘million-dollar rain’ as region sees driest May since 1870
CBC News
Farmers in Essex County, Ont. are hoping for a “million-dollar rain” as the region faces its driest month of May on record in more than 150 years. Click here to continue reading
Lac Ste. Anne Pilgrimage
Alberta Views
This broad, shallow body of water 60 km west of Edmonton is called Wakamne (or “God’s Lake”) by the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation, who live at the west end of the lake. According to Alexis oral history, a chief followed a vision and led his people to these shores. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: Nevada fight over leaky irrigation canal and groundwater more complicated than it appears on surface
The Washington Times
Water conflicts are nothing new to the arid West, where myriad users long have vied for their share of the precious resource from California’s Central Valley to the Colorado and Missouri rivers. But few have waded into the legal question playing out in rural Nevada: To what extent can local residents, farmers and ranchers claim the water that is soaking into the ground through the dirt floor of an antiquated, unlined irrigation canal? Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: At least three killed in shooting at Iran-Afghan border
Al Jazeera
Two Iranian border guards and one Taliban fighter have been killed after shooting broke out near a border post between Iran and Afghanistan, sharply escalating rising tensions between the two countries amid a dispute over water rights. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: Tracking water thieves in southern Spain
Euronews
Two thirds of Spain are under threat of desertification. The climate crisis is heating up. And conflicts linked to the use of water are multiplying. Doñana, one of Europe’s most outstanding nature reserves, is one of those places. Click here to continue reading
Canada invests in NL water and sewer upgrades to improve reliability and energy efficiency
Water Canada
This investment will support water, storm and sewage system upgrades along Brigus Road, including a new watermain, storm sewer ditching, culvert upgrades and replace an existing sanitary sewer lift station.These upgrades will improve the reliability and energy efficiency of the drinking water distribution, stormwater management and sewage treatment systems, helping to create a greener community and improve climate change preparedness. Click here to continue reading
Canada and British Columbia invest in water infrastructure improvements
Water Canada
Patrick Weiler, Member of Parliament for West Vancouver – Sunshine Coast – Sea to Sky Country, the Honourable Anne Kang, B.C. Minister of Municipal Affairs, and His Worship Jack Crompton, Mayor of the Resort Municipality of Whistler, have announced a joint investment of more than $16.1 million to support four water infrastructure projects across British Columbia. Click here to continue reading
Analysts struggle with El Nino rain predictions
The Western Producer
While it is difficult to predict El Nino’s influence on summer weather for most of North America, there is a strong correlation with temperature on the Canadian Prairies. It typically results in a hotter-than-normal summer, especially for the western half of the region, said John Baranick, DTN’s agricultural meteorologist. When it comes to precipitation, it is basically a coin toss. It is hard to predict whether it will be above or below normal, he said during DTN’s recent Ag Summit Series. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: ‘Dr Deep Sea’: the US professor living underwater for 100 days
The Guardian
More than 20ft below the surface of a Florida lagoon, one man is on a mission. Having already broken the record for the longest time living underwater, Dr Joseph Dituri is planning to spend 100 days in his subaquatic compound, to research the effects of hyperbaric pressure on the body. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: Up to 70% of California beaches could disappear by end of the century
The Guardian
California is known for golden sands and endless waves, but much of the state’s famous shoreline could vanish in the future. That’s according to a new study, which found that between 25% and 70% of California beaches might be washed away by the end of the century, leaving only cliffs or coastal infrastructure in their wake. Click here to continue reading
Spring flood risks highlight lack of insurance for Canadian homeowners: experts
Ponoka News
As the spring season brings higher flood risk to Canadians, as seen in British Columbia recently, experts say many homeowners remain without adequate insurance to cover extreme weather’s damage to their homes. Click here to continue reading
Early snowmelt in Western mountains means drier summers, more wildfire risk: study
CTV News
Leaner snowpack in Western Canada and United States mountain ranges is causing drier summers and increasing wildfire risk, says a new study from the University of Colorado Boulder. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: Venice authorities investigate after canal turns fluorescent green
CTV News
Venetian authorities are investigating after a patch of fluorescent green water appeared in the famed Grand Canal on Sunday morning. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: ‘Unpredictability is our biggest problem’: Texas farmers experiment with ancient farming styles
The Guardian
In one of the toughest growing regions in the US, commercial farmers like Frank Machac are experimenting with a style of ancient agriculture more known for soil health than profit. Click here to continue reading
Niagara Region takes claim of Ontario’s Tastiest Tap Water for second year in a row
Water Canada
During this week’s celebration of National Public Works Week, Niagara Region is excited to share that is has once again claimed the top spot at the Ontario Water Works Association’s Annual General Meeting Taste Test Competition. Click here to continue reading
‘It’s ridiculously antiquated’: could robot boats transform marine science?
The Guardian
No one has yet been able to sail an autonomous boat across the Atlantic, but a young couple in Wales hope their craft will revolutionize ocean monitoring of temperatures, wildlife and more. Click here to continue reading
Meet the ‘gummy squirrel’ and thousands of other newly discovered deep-sea species – in pictures
The Guardian
A trove of biodiversity has been catalogued by scientists in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, a vast area of the Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and Mexico, which has been targeted by deep-sea mining companies keen to exploit its mineral wealth. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: Ancient books in northern Italy frozen to salvage them from flood damage
The Guardian
Ancient books and manuscripts, some dating back to the 16th century, that have been affected by devastating floods in the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna are being stored in freezers in an effort to salvage them. Click here to continue reading
Castlegar, B.C. to initiate Liquid Waste Management Plan
Water Canada
The City of Castlegar is initiating a Liquid Waste Management Plan and is seeking community involvement. Liquid waste includes both sanitary sewage and stormwater. Proper management of the City’s liquid waste relies on built physical infrastructure to convey and treat it, and guidance from well-thought-out plans, policies, commitments, and budgets to ensure a broad range of impacts are considered as the City grows and changes. Click here to continue reading
Infrastructure funding supports water and wastewater system upgrades for Sioux Valley Dakota Nation
Water Canada
Sioux Valley Dakota Nation Chief Jennifer Bone and the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations, marked a historic investment in a new water treatment plant to meet the community’s water infrastructure needs. Through the Indigenous Community Infrastructure Fund, the Government of Canada has provided total of $12 million to Sioux Valley Dakota Nation. Click here to continue reading
Spring flood risks highlight lack of insurance for Canadian homeowners: experts
CTV News
As the spring season brings higher flood risk to Canadians, as seen in British Columbia recently, experts say many homeowners remain without adequate insurance to cover extreme weather’s damage to their homes. Click here to continue reading
El Niño is on our doorstep, but not all are created equal. So what does it mean for Canada?
CBC News
A global weather phenomenon is coming. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is forecasting an El Niño within the next few months, with a 90 per cent chance that it will carry on into the northern hemisphere winter. Click here to continue reading
‘Here we are again’: Flood warning returns for Klondike River, evacuation underway
CBC News
A tactical evacuation is underway once again in the Rock Creek area near Dawson City, Yukon, as the Klondike River continues to run dangerously high. Officials have issued another flood warning for the area, a little more than a week after an earlier warning was downgraded to a flood watch. Click here to continue reading
Water damage behind sinkhole in southeast Calgary, councillor says
CBC News
Water damage is to blame for a massive sinkhole that opened in the southeast neighbourhood of Cranston Tuesday, the area city councillor says. Ward 12 Coun. Evan Spencer told CBC Wednesday that according to an email from officials, a drain valve had broken in a park near where the sinkhole formed. Click here to continue reading
How is the Canadian water sector evolving?
Water Canada
Water continues to be a significant issue in Canada. Challenges with water quality, infrastructure, and resources impact many communities across the country on an annual basis. Three of WSP Canada’s leading water experts share their thoughts on the solutions for the water issues impacting communities now, and the discussions that should be taking place about the water issues forecasted across the next decade. Click here to continue reading
Canada Water Agency: Keeping our waters clean, now and into the future
Water Canada
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, has highlighted another step forward with the Budget 2023 investment to protect Canada’s freshwater supply by establishing a new Canada Water Agency. Located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the Canada Water Agency will work with provinces, territories, Indigenous Peoples, local authorities, scientists, and other partners to find the best ways to keep our water safe, clean, and well-managed for everyone. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: US supreme court shrinks clean water protections in ruling siding with Idaho couple
The Guardian
The scope of a landmark law to protect America’s waterways has been shrunk by the US supreme court, which has sided with an Idaho couple who have waged a long-running legal battle to build a house on wetlands near one of the state’s largest lakes. Click here to continue reading
Slowing ocean current caused by melting Antarctic ice could have drastic climate impact, study says
The Guardian
A major global deep ocean current has slowed down by approximately 30% since the 1990s as a result of melting Antarctic ice, which could have critical consequences for Earth’s climate patterns and sea levels, new research suggests. Click here to continue reading
Plastic waste puts millions of world’s poorest at higher risk from floods
The Guardian
A devastating 2005 flood that killed 1,000 people in the Indian city of Mumbai was blamed on a tragically simple problem: plastic bags had blocked storm drains, stopping monsoon flood water from draining out of the city. Now a new report, attempting to quantify this problem, estimates that 218 million of the world’s poorest people are at risk from more severe and frequent flooding caused by plastic waste. Click here to continue reading
Government of Canada taking next step in addressing “forever chemicals” PFAS
Water Canada
PFAS, sometimes referred to as “forever chemicals”, are a large group of extremely persistent human-made substances used in a wide range of everyday products, such as food packaging, non-stick cookware, clothing, and cosmetics. They are also used in industrial products and specialized applications including firefighting foams, lubricants, and oil/water repellants. PFAS are found nearly everywhere in the environment, including in the air, groundwater, oceans, lakes, rivers, and soils, as well as in wastewater, landfill leachate, sewage sludge, and contaminated sites worldwide. Click here to continue reading
Expansion and upgrades to Bonnybrook Wastewater Treatment Plant turns waste gas into power and keeps Calgarians flushing for years to come
City of Calgary
We often take for granted that when our toilets flush, the waste just disappears, never to be seen again. However, the level of technical and specialized knowledge, skills and equipment that’s needed to operate and maintain a facility that takes care of our wastewater and protects the health of our rivers is immense, and exceptionally complex. That’s why The City is investing over $1 billion in a program of extensive upgrades and expansions to the Bonnybrook Wastewater Treatment Plant to protect the environment and accommodate our city’s future growth. Click here to continue reading
Alberta wildfire count decreases after spate of rain
CBC News
The Alberta wildfire count has decreased slightly after several days of sporadic rainfall offered a reprieve for firefighters. According to the provincial wildfire status dashboard around noon Wednesday, there were 71 wildfires burning across Alberta. In Alberta’s forest protection zones, there were 67 wildfires with 17 considered out of control. Click here to continue reading
How nature could help fix our flooding and sewerage problems
Discover Wildlife
With climate change and overloaded sewerage systems driving more and more extreme flooding events, engineers are increasingly turning to nature for solutions. Click here to continue reading
Edmonton bringing back public water bottle filling stations
CTV News
For the third summer in a row, the city is setting up water bottle filling stations to make sure Edmontonians have access to clean, safe drinking water. The stations are attached to fire hydrants and are located near public city washrooms wherever possible. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: Italy cleans up following deadly floods
CBC News
Italy’s Emilia Romagna region will recover from the devastating floods that hit this week by taking from lessons learned from the 2012 earthquake, its governor said Friday, as the death toll from the disaster rose to 14. Click here to continue reading
‘A really sad time in our community’: Fort McPherson, N.W.T., faces devastation, loss
CBC News
The water in Fort McPherson, N.W.T., is receding, but the community continues to face devastation as homes near Eight Miles were destroyed and the recent deaths of three people from the hamlet has families and friends grieving. Click here to continue reading
Council approves budget adjustment to upsize the water main
Sylvan News
The Town of Sylvan Lake adjusted its budget to upsize a water main in the Grey Hawk subdivision from a 250 mm line to a 400 mm line. The town felt upgrading the line was necessary since it is more cost-effective to upgrade the water main during construction of the subdivision rather than having to upgrade the water main at a later date, communications officer Jared Waldo said. Click here to continue reading
Half of world’s largest lakes losing water
Science Daily
Fifty-three percent of the world’s largest freshwater lakes are in decline, storing less water than they did three decades ago, according to a new study. The study analyzed satellite observations dating back decades to measure changes in water levels in nearly 2,000 of the world’s biggest lakes and reservoirs. It found that climate change, human consumption and sedimentation are responsible. Click here to continue reading
Earlier snowpack melt in Western US could bring summer water scarcity
Science Daily
Mountain snowpack, typically seen as the water tower of the Western United States and Canada, is in decline, according to a new study. Researchers created the Snow Storage Index to assess snow water storage from 1950-2013 and found that storage has significantly declined in more than 25% of the Mountain West, in part because more snow is melting during winter and spring. Click here to continue reading
Heavy rain expected across northern, western Alberta: Will it be enough to dampen wildfires?
Global News
Enough rain to prompt a warning is expected in the next few days across Alberta’s foothills and to the north of Edmonton. It’s perhaps not enough to put out wildfires completely, but may help firefighters catch their breath during a record-breaking season of fires. Click here to continue reading
Fort McPherson, N.W.T., ends state of emergency as water levels continue to drop
CBC News
The community of Fort McPherson, N.W.T., has lifted the local state of emergency as floodwaters recede and the hamlet begins repairs to damaged roads. The hamlet of about 650 declared an emergency last Tuesday after flooding from the Peel River washed over both roads out of the community, blocking access to the airport as well as the hamlet’s source of clean drinking water. Click here to continue reading
How a drought affects trees depends on what’s been holding them back
Science Daily
Droughts can be good for trees. Certain trees, that is. Contrary to expectation, sometimes a record-breaking drought can increase tree growth. Why and where this happens is the subject of a new article. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: Historic Colorado River deal not enough to stave off long-term crisis, experts say
The Guardian
A hard-fought agreement between California, Arizona and Nevada to slash the states’ use of the shrinking Colorado River is only a temporary salve to a long-term water crisis that continues to threaten the foundations of life in the American west, experts have warned. Click here to continue reading
‘Last dance vibe’: After 100 years, the International Ice Patrol is winding down N.L. iceberg flights
CBC News
The U.S. navy started the program in 1914 — soon after an iceberg collision sank the Titanic — to track icebergs off Newfoundland’s coast and deliver up-to-date information to ships trying to safely navigate the north Atlantic. Click here to continue reading
Canada and British Columbia invest in District of Taylor’s Wastewater Treatment Plant
Water Canada
Through this funding, a concrete sludge management facility will be built at the plant. Work includes new valves, pipes and pumps, associated electrical work, and the installation of a centrifuge to separate different liquids to reduce sludge accumulation. These upgrades will create a more sustainable wastewater management system that will protect the health of the environment and residents. Click here to continue reading
Heavy rains in Canada offer relief from wildfires but could lead to flooding
The Guardian
Heavy rains have brought relief to western Canada, in what crews hope could be a “turning point” in a protracted fight against wildfires, but officials also warned the much-needed downpour could lead to catastrophic flooding – and fresh blazes from lightning strikes. Click here to continue reading
Canada urged to start national water dialogue
The Western Producer
Canada’s most valuable resource might be fresh water, a commodity so short in some parts of the world that it causes intense conflicts. Despite this, Canada treats water issues with inattention and disregard, some say. Now, leading water management experts hope to see that changed with a new federal water agency. Click here to continue reading
Intense rain, deadly torrents of mud destroy homes and farmland in northern Italy
CBC News
Rescue crews worked Thursday to reach towns and villages in northern Italy still isolated by heavy rains and flooding, as the death toll rose to 13 and authorities began mapping out cleanup and reconstruction plans. Click here to continue reading
Crescent Falls Provincial Recreation Area closed this summer
Red Deer Advocate
Crescent Falls Provincial Recreation Area will be closed this summer to support construction activities to upgrade the site. Alberta Forestry, Parks and Tourism recently announced the area will be closed from June 1, 2023 to June 2024 to reduce danger to the general public as contractors work in the area with heavy equipment and materials on land and near water, and to make construction more efficient. Click here to continue reading
More than half of the world’s lakes have shrunk in past 30 years, study finds
The Guardian
More than half of the world’s large lakes and reservoirs have shrunk since the early 1990s – chiefly because of the climate crisis and human consumption – intensifying concerns about water supply for agriculture, hydropower and human consumption, a study has found. Click here to continue reading
Land use linked to water quality and quantity
Science Daily
Researchers recently published a study that focuses on the Sudbury-Assabet and Concord watershed in eastern Massachusetts, and which links hydrological changes, including floods, drought and runoff, to changing patterns of land use. Click here to continue reading
State of emergency declared in Kinngait, Nunavut, over water problems
CBC News
Water problems in Kinngait, Nunavut, have led the territorial government to declare a state of emergency in the South Baffin community of about 1,400. An electrical problem at the community’s water pumphouse is the root of the problem. It’s limiting the hamlet’s ability to distribute treated water. Click here to continue reading
Global heating has likely made El Niños and La Niñas more ‘frequent and extreme’, new study shows
The Guardian
Global heating has likely intensified a climate pattern in the Pacific since the 1960s that has driven extreme droughts, floods and heatwaves around the globe, according to a new study. Click here to continue reading
Stantec deepens partnership with Apache Junction Sewer District for water reclamation facility expansion
Water Canada
Stantec has been selected to lead the water reclamation facility (WRF) expansion design for Apache Junction Sewer District (AJSD) in Apache Junction, Arizona. AJSD, previously the Superstition Mountains Community Facilities District No. 1, provides wastewater collection and treatment services to more than 7,000 customers. Click here to continue reading
Brandon, MB modernizes access to water network data
Water Canada
The City of Brandon, in partnership with Esri Canada, recently implemented the geographic information system (GIS) software ArcGIS Utility Network (UN), which allows the City to see, manage and share vital information about its water network in real time. This leads to better network management. The project is part of the City’s strategy to modernize asset management. Click here to continue reading
Italy floods: emergency services continue rescue efforts in flood-hit region – video
The Guardian
Italian authorities are continuing rescue operations across the flood-hit northern Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. Footage recorded by the Italian coastguard showed helicopters rescuing people from their roofs, including a pregnant woman and an elderly couple. At least nine people have been killed by the floods and close to 5,000 evacuated from their homes. Click here to continue reading
Opinion: Stop forcing farmers to choose between economic viability and wetland protection
Calgary Herald
The Alberta earth is greening again. Farmers are back on the land seeding their crops. In the skies above, pintail, teal, northern shoveler and mallard ducks wheel before dropping into temporary sloughs, key components of their territories for nesting season. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: Devastating floods in Italy claim lives and leave thousands homeless
The Guardian
Eight people have died and thousands have been evacuated from their homes after heavy storms wreaked havoc in the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, causing severe flooding and landslides. Click here to continue reading
Testing may shed light on Medicine River’s brown colour
Red Deer Advocate
Central Alberta’s Medicine River will be tested this summer to try to solve the mystery of its distinctive brown colour and whether agriculture plays a role. Medicine River Watershed Society volunteers undertook limited testing last year that appeared to show river quality had improved since the last extensive round of testing in 2006 and 2007, said society board member Dana Kreil. Click here to continue reading
Suspected Prussian carp found in Sylvan Lake
Sylvan Lake News
A suspected Prussian Carp specimen was found dead near the pier in Sylvan Lake on April 23. Fisherman Reuben Braitenback was told by Alberta Environment and Protected Areas that the fish, which was found his coworker, is the first ever suspected Prussian Carp specimen from Sylvan Lake. Click here to continue reading
Great Basin: History of water supply in one of the driest regions in the USA
Science Daily
An international team has reconstructed the evolution of groundwater in the Great Basin, USA — one of the driest regions on Earth — up to 350,000 years into the past with unprecedented accuracy. The results shed new light on the effects of climate change on water supply and provide important insights for the sustainable use of groundwater resources. Click here to continue reading
New pump station coming to Strathcona, City of Vancouver
Water Canada
Constructed in 1962, the existing pump station is beyond its useful service life and is undergoing a $7.8 million dollar replacement as part of the City’s Capital Plan which maps out significant investments in Vancouver’s infrastructure and amenities. Work will be underway until the fall of 2024. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: Satellite images show California’s ‘ghost lake’ reappearing after sodden winter
The Guardian
New satellite images released from Nasa this week showcase the dramatic reappearance of California’s Tulare Lake after water swallowed swaths of land across the state’s agricultural center that had long been dry. Click here to continue reading
Manitoba Government waiving fees for private well, cistern water testing
Water Canada
The Manitoba government is providing additional support to flood-impacted private well and cistern owners by fully subsidizing costs associated with testing their water supply to ensure it is safe to drink, Environment and Climate Minister Kevin Klein announced. Click here to continue reading
Revolutionizing water worker safety using innovative tech
Water Canada
The workers responsible for providing clean water to our communities and homes often work long hours and may work alone. They are exposed to various occupational hazards, including slips, trips, and falls, violence, assault, and mental health challenges. As a result, ensuring their safety can be a complex issue, but is achievable through careful planning, the implementation of appropriate safety policies, and leveraging the right technology. Click here to continue reading
City of Calgary ready for 2023 flood season
City of Calgary
Mid-May marks the start of Calgary’s river flood season, and The City of Calgary is ready. Annual flood preparations are complete and the 24/7 monitoring of river conditions, weather forecasts and the melting mountain snowpack is well underway. While recent rains and an early melting snowpack have resulted in higher river flows than normal for mid-May, Calgary’s chance of flooding this year is still considered normal. Click here to continue reading
‘Higher than normal’ flow rate on Calgary rivers, city says
CTV News
The risk of flooding in Calgary this year is considered “normal,” officials said Monday, but cautioned that forecasts could “change dramatically.” The City of Calgary says its flood preparations are complete ahead of the 2023 flood season, which began on Monday. Click here to continue reading
Alberta regulator monitoring death of more birds at Suncor tailings pond
Calgary Herald
The Alberta Energy Regulator said Sunday it was monitoring the situation after 27 waterfowl were found dead at one of Suncor Energy’s oilsands tailings ponds. The company informed the regulator on May 13 that the birds were found at its Syncrude Mildred Lake Settling Basin, AER said in a post on its website. Click here to continue reading
Soil erosion causes problems on irrigated land
The Western Producer
Soil erosion caused by stronger winds and drier winters is becoming an increasing problem in southern Alberta on irrigated land, as well as for root crops, said an expert. It is affecting some of the most expensive land in the province, with farmers permanently losing soil in a day that took hundreds, if not thousands, of years to build up, said Ken Coles, executive director of Farming Smarter. “I took pictures myself of fence lines completely covered, ditches completely filled up, so when it happens, it’s kind of a catastrophic event.” Click here to continue reading
Low Lacombe Lake water levels a concern
Red Deer Advocate
The lake, three kilometres long and 500 metres wide between Blackfalds and Lacombe is only three metres deep at its deepest point. As it grows more shallow natural nutrients become more concentrated and sunlight can penetrate further, causing more plant growth. As those plants and weeds decay they use up oxygen needed by fish. Click here to continue reading
Sask. allots funds for flood, drought preparation
The Western Producer
The Saskatchewan government is spending $2 million this year on flood mapping in at-risk communities. The Water Security Agency identified Moose Jaw, Saskatoon, Regina, Weyburn, Tisdale and Melfort under the Flood Hazard Identification Mapping Program this year. Click here to continue reading
Alberta Energy Regulator warns Imperial Oil about more wastewater problems at Kearl oilsands mine
CBC News
The Alberta Energy Regulator has warned Imperial Oil about more wastewater problems at its Kearl oilsands mine in northern Alberta. The regulator has issued a notice of non-compliance to the company after chemicals associated with oilsands tailings were found at an off-site well at levels that exceed provincial guidelines. Click here to continue reading
Water management is another form of risk management
The Western Producer
In one of the driest and most unpredictable growing regions in the world, irrigation and water management could become the most important form of risk management farmers employ. That truth is becoming more obvious as farmers’ need for financial stability collides with others’ demands that farmers farm more sustainably and with fewer greenhouse gas emissions. But if governments and others want farmers to leap ahead in water management, they might have to pay for it. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: Wheat market’s reaction to U.S. rain baffles grain sector
The Western Producer
Industry officials are flummoxed by recent wheat market behaviour. Hard Red Winter Wheat (HRWW) July futures tumbled 16 percent between April 18 and May 2. The freefall was due in part to a two-day rain during the last week of April that delivered up to 100 millimetres of moisture to parts of the southern U.S. Plains. Click here to continue reading
City of Toronto launches tunnel boring machine for stormwater tunnel and largest basement flooding prevention project
Water Canada
The City of Toronto marked a major milestone for the Fairbank Silverthorn Storm Trunk Sewer System project, launching a tunnel boring machine that will work to construct a new storm sewer that will collect, store and move stormwater from the Fairbank-Silverthorn area to Black Creek to help reduce the risk of basement flooding. This is the City’s largest basement flooding prevention project to date. Click here to continue reading
New report: Funding for Canadian’ prairies water infrastructure urgently needed, but nature offers innovative solution
Water Canada
Our prairie provinces’ water infrastructure—from pipes to treatment facilities—upon which millions of Canadians depend is aging and depreciating at an alarming rate. However, natural infrastructure (NI) can offer a practical and cost-effective solution, when scaled up and adopted across all levels of government. Click here to continue reading
Quebec City is enforcing tighter water restrictions
CBC News
With the return of warm weather, residents will be allowed to water their property one day a week only, for a maximum of two hours. The Marchand administration tightened municipal regulations for the first time last year, limiting lawn watering to two days a week with the aim of preserving its drinking water supply. It also tested the new measures during a pilot project last year. Click here to continue reading
Coastal GasLink hit with more stop work orders over water pollution concerns
CBC News
Coastal GasLink has been issued stop work orders on a stretch of pipeline construction for the second time in just over a week, the latest in a pattern of environmental violations for polluting sensitive waterways. The pipeline project crosses about 625 lakes, rivers, creeks, wetlands, and streams in northern B.C. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: Barcelona’s beaches could vanish as authorities abandon ‘enhancement’
The Guardian
For the 1992 Olympic Games, Barcelona rediscovered the sea. It beefed up its beachfront using thousands of tons of sand, and the area is now packed with tourists and lined with beach bars. Barcelona’s beach may be partly artificial, but it’s big business. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: Impact of warmer seas on fish stocks leads to rise in pirate attacks
The Guardian
Dwindling fish stocks caused by the climate crisis are leading to an increase in pirate attacks, according to a new study looking at two piracy hotspots over the past two decades. Warmer seas have negatively affected fisheries in east Africa, one of the world’s worst areas for piracy; while in the South China Sea, another hotspot for attacks, it has had the opposite effect: fish populations have risen. Click here to continue reading
Canada and New Brunswick invest in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure improvements in St. Stephen and Nackawic-Millville
Water Canada
Funding will support the separation of combined sewers and upgrades to underground infrastructure along several main roads in the Municipal District of St. Stephen. The work will include constructing new storm sewers, replacing existing watermains, adding several catch basins and manholes, as well as renewing the asphalt on School Street and Union Street. Click here to continue reading
Health Canada warns about the dangers of water beads for kids
Vancouver Sun
Health Canada is warning parents and caregivers about the risks of water beads, a toy that can grow up to 1,500 times their size when placed in water. The product, also known as jelly beads, hydro orbs, crystal soil, sensory beads or orb beads, can be fatal if swallowed or cause harm if put in the ears or nose, the agency said. Click here to continue reading
Water drops a bit near Dawson City, but flood advisories still in effect
CBC News
Yukon emergency officials said Tuesday the water had dropped slightly in the Rock Creek area near Dawson City, but a flood warning was still in effect for the Klondike River. A flood watch — less urgent than a warning — was also maintained on Tuesday for the Yukon River at Dawson City. Click here to continue reading
Red Deerians still waiting for disaster relief from last summer’s heavy rain
Red Deer Advocate
A Red Deer couple who lost the majority of their backyard in a landslide last July is still waiting for provincial funding in order to stabilize their property near Waskasoo Creek. Three landslides were reported in Red Deer on July 11 and 12, 2022 after excessive rainfall a month earlier which saturated the soil and caused some areas to drop. Click here to continue reading
Alix council wants to track visitors to its namesake lake
East Central Alberta Review
Alix village council wants to track visitors to its namesake lake and may be using a number of different methods to do it. The decision was made at the May 3 regular meeting of council. Councilors passed a resolution for staff to investigate methods to gather visitor input and present a report at a future meeting. Click here to continue reading
Saskatchewan’s Water Security Agency investing in flood hazard mapping improvement
Water Canada
The Water Security Agency (WSA) is continuing to enhance and improve water management for the province with a key investment in the Flood Hazard Identification Mapping Program. As part of WSA’s 2023-24 budget, over $2 million is being invested to support flood mapping efforts throughout the province of Saskatchewan. Click here to continue reading
It seems patio season has been saved for Inglewood businesses facing water-main woes
CTV News
This year, the city needs to replace a water main under 9th Avenue S.E. in the community of Inglewood. It has known since 2017 the work was required but still hasn’t set a firm start date. That caused concern among businesses hoping to open on-street patios this spring and summer. Click here to continue reading
Irrigation underway in southern Alberta as LNID’s headworks canal remains under repair
Global News
Water is flowing through southern Alberta’s irrigation districts. “We’ve been moving water downstream, flushing our canals,” said St. Mary River Irrigation District (SMRID) general manager David Westwood. “We’re now starting to fill some of our pipelines and we’re still moving water to the eastern part of our district.” Click here to continue reading
Yukon launches online Flood Atlas to strengthen public safety and provide information about potential flooding
Water Canada
The Government of Yukon has launched a new online Flood Atlas, making it simpler to access details on flood-related alerts and long-term flood preparation in the territory. The Flood Atlas website displays flood-related advisories and provides an overall picture of potential flood situations, along with information about the government’s official flood mapping initiative and links to resources about Yukon water science and flood preparedness. The Flood Atlas is also designed to streamline the process of issuing flood warnings to the public. Click here to continue reading
Alberta Wildfires: Rain offers relief as Alberta rallies to battle wildfires
Edmonton Journal
Amid a provincial state of emergency, firefighters in Alberta received cooler and humid weather that will help them battle dozens of out-of-control wildfires as nearly 30,000 residents have fled their homes, officials say. Click here to continue reading
Thousands forced to evacuate as wildfires ravage western Canada
The Guardian
By Friday, more than 13,000 people were under evacuation orders in Alberta, as 78 fires burned. Among the worst-hit areas was the Little Red River Cree Nation in the north of the province, where the 1,458-hectare Fox Lake fire consumed 20 homes and the police station. Click here to continue reading
Evacuation orders and highway impacts as officials forecast heavy rains for Friday, weekend
CBC News
Communities in B.C.’s southern Interior are bracing for the worst as officials warn heavy rainfall could worsen conditions that have already led to evacuation orders and highway closures throughout the region. Click here to continue reading