Water News 2021
Compare and Contrast: Seagrass 'Neptune balls’ sieve millions of plastic particles from water, study finds
Guardian
Underwater seagrass in coastal areas appear to trap plastic pollution in natural bundles of fibre known as “Neptune balls”, researchers have found. With no help from humans, the swaying plants – anchored to shallow seabeds – may collect nearly 900m plastic items in the Mediterranean alone every year, a study reported in the journal Scientific Reports said. Click here to continue reading
'Gravely concerned': Edmonton Fire Rescue Services reminds residents to stay off the ice
Edmonton Journal
Edmonton Fire Rescue Services has responded to seven North Saskatchewan river rescue calls over the last two weeks, nearly a 50 per cent increase compared to the same time last year. Click here to continue reading
Canned glacier water from Fortress Mountain Resort ready to be sold in Alberta
CTV News
An Alberta-based company is launching a new line of canned water, with the source coming from beneath Fortress Mountain Resort, but not everyone is enthused about the move. Rök Glacier Water is partnering with Rapid Ascent Brewing in Calgary to produce the new drinks after getting approval from the province last year. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: Island companies scrambling after homes flood due to recent storms
CTV News
If your house does experience a flood, there’s a good chance your floors are a total loss. Drywall can be dried, but exterior walls pose a problem. “Exterior walls, they sometimes have insulation in them which might get wet,” said Baker. “If it does get wet behind, we prefer to remove the drywall given that your R-rating might be effected.” Click here to continue reading
City of Edmonton offering rebates for green home improvements
Global News
The Home Energy Retrofit Accelerator launched Monday. It will provide up to $600,000 a year in rebates to homeowners who make renovations that increase the energy efficiency of their house. The city says the average household could receive around $1,500 in rebates. Click here to continue reading
Rethinking the Concept of Virtual Water in the Global Trade Market
Eos Science News by AGU
Conservationists recognize that virtual water does nothing to address environmental concerns surrounding extraction and sustainable use. In research presented at AGU’s Fall Meeting 2020, scientists from the University of Alberta in Canada added their voices to those finding the concept of virtual water trade problematic. Click here to continue reading
Compare and Contrast: Vast coalition calls on Biden to impose national moratorium on water shutoffs
Guardian
A broad coalition of organizations is urging Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to mandate a national moratorium on water and other utility shutoffs on day one in the White House, in order to curtail the spread of Covid-19 and ease the financial burden on struggling Americans. Click here to continue reading
This Calgary family's backyard comes with ski hill and tow rope for winter fun
CBC News
A southwest Calgary couple has found an inventive way to skip the lines at the ski resort this winter by turning their backyard into their own ski hill. It's only 300 feet (91 metres), so about the size of a bunny hill, but still gets the kids up and down in a jiffy. Click here to continue reading
City of Edmonton crews prioritizing icy roads based off complaints
Global News
The recent warm weather is posing a challenge for people and crews around the city. Freeze-thaw cycles have created icy road conditions and city council has heard some concerns, specifically about residential roads. Ward 1 councillor Andrew Knack said there hasn’t been enough snow to do any residential blading and crews are tackling icy roads on a one-off basis. Click here to continue reading
Overhauling Hawrelak: Edmonton looks for feedback on plans to upgrade river-valley park
CBC News
Under the scope of the project, nearly half of the budget will go toward improving underground utilities such as the sewer and irrigation systems. Dumont said another potential benefit of the rehabilitation project is improving the water quality of the lake in Hawrelak Park. Click here to continue reading
Clothes washing linked to ‘pervasive’ plastic pollution in the Arctic
Guardian
The most comprehensive study to date found the microplastics in 96 of 97 sea water samples taken from across the polar region. More than 92% of the microplastics were fibres, and 73% of these were made of polyester and were the same width and colours as those used in clothes. Click here to continue reading