Ojibways of Onigaming water operator wins national First Nations water award
Brian Indian from Ontario’s Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation, near Kenora and the Manitoba border, has won the 2022 National First Nations Water Leadership...
Ontario’s Thames Centre cites importance of transparency over HAA levels in drinking water
Thames Centre officials say they are adjusting their day-to-day operations in order to reduce excess levels of haloacetic acids found in the drinking water,...
UK drought conditions helping drones spot water pipe leaks
Anglian Water, a large U.K.’s water and wastewater utility, is taking advantage of unusually dry conditions by using drones to spot water pipe leaks...
Most US residents trust local water utility, AWWA poll finds
Interestingly, just more than half of the polled water customers said they were aware that utilities frequently test tap water.
Regina’s new water meters will provide near real-time data
The City of Regina has begun the three-year, $42.5-million process of installing new water meters that will be able to transmit residential and commercial...
UToledo testing real-time sensor as algae warning system for water treatment
The University of Toledo is testing a real-time optical sensor on Lake Erie drinking water to protect public drinking water during the harmful algal...
The problem with PFAS waste incineration
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) released a memo placing a moratorium on the incineration of materials containing PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). According to the memo, the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act requires the ban until the DOD issues guidance implementing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) interim guidance on the destruction and disposal of PFAS. And, what does the EPA’s current interim guidance say about incinerating PFAS-containing waste? It is best summarized this way: “More research is needed.”
Halifax water uses advanced pressure management pilot to reduce leakages
After hitting a static level of breaks and non-revenue water (NRW) loss, for Halifax Water (HW) the challenge is increasing leak awareness to reduce run time. To help reduce NRW loss, HW partnered with Mueller for a performance trial of an advanced pressure management and control platform.
Using Python can help Canadian water utilities cope with vast amounts of incoming data
Infinitii ai looks at the automation of utilities using machine learning program, Python, and the development of a new automation software called face pro.
Investigating the source and age of nitrate in drinking water wells
This case study involved an environmental isotope investigation of groundwater in a small community where the groundwater was known to be impacted by nitrate.
Using cartridge filtration systems to remove PFAS contaminants from drinking water
End user households and municipal water utilities are increasingly grappling with the need to address PFAS once they are detected in source water.
EPCOR powering water treatment plant with new solar farm
EPCOR’s new 13.6-megawatt solar farm in Edmonton is providing about half of the electricity needed to power its E.L. Smith Water Treatment Plant.
Enoch Cree...
International water companies partner to make wastewater treatment greener
Three major water utility companies in Denmark, Australia and the U.K. are partnering to create a new generation of sustainable wastewater management for customers,...
Ontario highschooler wins Stockholm Junior Water Prize for algae-fighting experiments
When her father, a commercial fisherman, was finding it more and more difficult to ply his trade due to harmful algal blooms, 16-year-old Annabelle...
Jackson’s water struggles multiply after rain pushes water plant to the edge
After nearly a month-long boil water advisory over turbidity, Mississippi’s capital, Jackson, was finally pushed to the edge when flooding altered the primary water...
UWaterloo leads new PFAS investigation into seven Ontario water systems
The University of Waterloo is leading an interdisciplinary research team that hopes to unlock key information that will inform Canadian water systems about potential...
Collingwood, New Tecumseth set to update costs of pipeline drinking water agreement
New Tecumseth is ready to confirm how much it will pay for the expansion of the Raymond A. Barker Water Treatment Plant in Collingwood,...
Mobile water stations allow municipalities to be prepared for infrastructure crisis
As the threat of more frequent storms and natural disasters persists in Canada’s changing climate, one company headquartered in British Columbia has created a...
Less wind from climate change may mean larger algal blooms, new research shows
A new study out of Australia’s Griffith University has found that a 20% decrease in wind speed from climate change could result in algal...
USask team looks for ways to remove toxic tire compound from water
Following the University of Saskatchewan’s successful research into rubber tire particles impacting rainbow and brook trout through urban stormwater, researchers are now getting an...
New US-Canada Great Lakes report rates ecosystem status ‘fair’
Environment and Climate Change Canada and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have jointly published a new report that provides an overview of the status...
Iqaluit hires Tower Arctic to remediate water tank contamination
The City of Iqaluit has hired Tower Arctic Ltd. for just under $800,000 to remediate underground water tanks suspected of fuel contamination.
The contamination caused...
Yukon University takes on federal First Nations water operator training
Yukon University has agreed to deliver the classroom and certification portions of Indigenous Services Canada’s (ISC) Circuit Rider Training Program (CRTP) for First Nations...
Water infrastructure spending, construction on the rise, says StatCan
New Statistics Canada data for 2020 shows that capital expenditures and the pace of construction for water infrastructure has accelerated in recent years.
According to...
What you need to know about peracetic acid for water treatment disinfection
The many drawbacks of disinfection by chlorine in pre- and post-treatment applications has led to a growing interest in peracetic acid (PAA) as an alternative in some applications. PAA has a unique chemistry that is highly effective against bacteria and other contaminants. It does not form any known DBPs and has less environmental impact. Before substituting chlorine with PAA, it is critical to understand the chemistry, its applications, and methods of handling and dosing.
The new workforce is equipped to modernize water data management
Dealing with old technologies, unsupported infrastructure, and monolithic architecture is an unfortunate reality for many cities and agencies. These outdated systems not only leave organizations vulnerable to cybersecurity threats, they also create a management nightmare for IT teams. They require a lot of time and resources just to keep the lights on and are not appealing to the new generation of workers that are very much needed in the municipal water industry.
New water system provides safe, long-term drinking water for First Nation in Alberta
In early October 2021, the existing Goodfish Lake Water Treatment Plant in Whitefish Lake, Alta. suffered a catastrophic failure and could no longer produce water. A public communication and water system changeover strategy was quickly organized to complete the transition to the new regional water supply. The project marked a successful collaboration between the Whitefish Lake First Nation #128 leadership, Associated Engineering, and Thompson Infrastructure.
Water should not be judged by its history, but by its quality
The two primary methods of supplying recycled water from wastewater treatment for drinking water reuse are indirect potable reuse and direct potable reuse.
Guelph’s award-winning Water Supply Master Plan approved by council
After winning two prestigious awards for its new Water Supply Master Plan, the Ontario City of Guelph has now approved the plan for implementation.
The...
Dry June leads to water restrictions in southern Ontario and beyond
As dry weather persists, water restrictions are becoming more commonplace across Canada, with water users in southern Ontario’s Grand River watershed being the latest...
Greater Victoria proposes $1B water filtration plant by 2037
A new water filtration plant proposed for British Columbia’s Greater Victoria region could top $1 billion, according to a new water supply master plan...
EPA drastically tightens PFAS advisory levels, pledges funding
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has significantly lowered its health threshold levels for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in a move that could...
Water treatment plant closes downstream of oil spill in Ontario’s Algoma Region
Following an Algoma steel plant’s lubricant oil spill into St. Mary’s River, local officials downstream in Echo Bay have shut off their water treatment...
Graham-Aecon partner for major Buffalo Pound plant upgrades in Saskatchewan
A joint venture between Aecon and Graham Construction has been awarded a $325.6-million design-build contract for upgrades to Saskatchewan’s Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant...
Whitehorse investing $5M in 18 water, wastewater upgrade projects
The City of Whitehorse is investing $5.1 million in 18 water and wastewater projects that include new watermains, improvements to the storm sewer drainage...
Niagara Region wins best tasting tap water in Ontario
Through the diligence of six area water treatment plants, Ontario’s Niagara Region has won first place in the best tasting tap water competition at...
AECOM to design new submarine pipeline for Yellowknife’s drinking water
AECOM has been selected to provide engineering services for a new underwater potable water supply line in Yellowknife, now that the 1969 steel pipeline...
Nova Scotia launches blue-green algae public service announcements and blooms reporting site
Nova Scotia has launched a new public awareness campaign to highlight the health risks surrounding blue-green algae in lakes, ponds, rivers and streams.
Under the...
Wildfire elevated legacy phosphorus in Alberta’s Crowsnest River, study finds
Resource extraction, wildfire, and municipal wastewater discharge are increasing particulate phosphorus levels along a 50-km stretch of the low-nutrient Crowsnest River, joint research from...
Using a portable autonomous laboratory to prevent microbiological water supply contamination
ALERT V2 monitoring stations are autonomous, portable, and connected laboratories that are capable of accurately and rapidly quantifying microorganisms.
Delivering reliable level readings from remote areas helps improve water quality management
A fine-meshed network of real-time level measuring points at smaller, non-navigable watercourses can help mitigate water shortages or predict floods.
BC’s Capital Regional District tackles emergency water distribution and seismic preparedness
The CRD's emergency response plan now includes custom-built emergency water-distribution units capable of distributing drinking water to large numbers of people.
BC project employs machine learning predictive analytics to manage water resources
Collecting regional data and using machine learning to provide a real-time view is fundamental in helping water authorities forecast and predict.
Hydrometric data proves vital to the long-term health of the Okanagan Water Basin
The Okanagan Water Basin is deemed a region of interest and is marveled at by hydrologists as a living laboratory. New hydrology monitoring aims to help it.
Upgrades made to Halton Region’s Burloak Water Purification Plant
Upgrades at the Burloak Water Purification Plant included replacing the filter membranes, concrete tank linings, large diameter valves and SCADA system.
An overview of thermoplastic valves and their performance
Thermoplastic valves offer a dependable and economical way to handle corrosive chemicals in some of the harshest environments.
Handling water supply cross connection and backflow prevention with ease
Backflow preventers are vital for eliminating the potential for potable water contamination. They require proper sizing and installation to operate reliably.
Ottawa considers incentives to help swap out heating oil fuel tanks to protect source...
A City of Ottawa committee is recommending council approval of the home heating oil fuel tank incentive program to help eliminate contamination threats to...
U of Waterloo grads win AWWA awards for drinking water Master’s papers
Two graduates of the University of Waterloo’s WaterSTP program have won academic achievement awards from the American Water Works Association for their Master’s thesis...
Feds to fund creation of Canada Water Agency and Atlantic First Nations Water Authority
The federal government has earmarked funding to create a Canada Water Agency that will centralize work with communities on freshwater issues, as well as...
PEI scientist researching natural solutions for sustainable water
PEI farmers often see water and nutrients running through well-draining soils quickly during rain events. Sometimes, water drains too quickly for farmers to make good use of it for their crops and animals, and the runoff can affect nearby streams and rivers. One easy and cost-effective solutions solution involves constructing wetlands on farmland.
New Mackenzie River Basin report combines indigenous and scientific knowledge
A recent report describes changes to the aquatic ecosystem health, furthers the understanding of conditions and developments in the Mackenzie River Basin. This is...
Barrier used for Gull Bay First Nation’s shoreline restoration project
In June of 2021, Barclay Construction approached Layfield Group Ltd. requesting assistance on a shoreline restoration project for Ontario Power Generation within the Gull Bay First Nation community in Gull Bay, Ontario. The project required that approximately 1.2 km of shoreline be isolated from Lake Nipigon, with a watertight barrier to prevent water from interrupting construction efforts and preventing construction runoff from entering the fishing waters offshore. It would need to be in place for approximately four to six months.
Canadian site is a model for PFAS cleanup efforts worldwide
One remediation project in central Canada serves as a model case for the growing multitude of facilities that are finding PFAS contamination. More than five years into the performance monitoring phase, it is the world’s first demonstrated in situ treatment of PFAS.
Preventing a minor chlorine gas leak from becoming a major one
Responding to a chlorine gas leak can be difficult with a room full of chlorine gas, and the advisable solution is to close all of the container valves and ventilate the room to reduce the chlorine concentration. Of course, by this time the amount of leaked chlorine gas may be significant, eliminating ventilation as an option. The event becomes a reportable incident, that now needs to be dealt with by first responders and reported to the appropriate authorities. Halogen Valve Systems Inc. designs and manufactures automatic emergency valve closure systems designed to enhance the safety of chlorine gas installations.
Sensors allow for immediate response to incoming raw water quality changes
With treatment plants, their raw intake source water quality can change rapidly and impact treatment performance. These water quality events are not typically caught by traditional sampling methods or sensors in time to be managed efficiently. Always on, low-maintenance water quality monitoring can provide better protection from incoming water quality issues by alerting operators to key events in real time.
Feds fund new Iqaluit reservoir to boost winter drinking water supply
For a community that has struggled to maintain reliable drinking water, federal funding of more than $214 million will allow the City of Iqaluit...
New connections to Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte water plant lift five advisories
Newly-built water treatment plant connections have allowed the federal government to lift five long-term drinking water advisories for the Mohawks of the Bay of...
Three BC engineers reprimanded over Mount Polley tailings disaster
Eight years after the Mount Polley tailings disaster, three engineers have been penalized following disciplinary proceedings by Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia.
Water First set to begin fourth First Nations water operator intern partnership
Some 14 interns will be recruited from seven northern Ontario First Nations to pursue entry level water operator training or water quality analyst certifications...
UWaterloo launches Microplastics Fingerprinting Research Project website
A University of Waterloo-based project has launched a new website to detail progress towards identifying science-informed strategies for the problem of microplastics in drinking...
Environmental standards not protecting lakes from road salt, global study finds
Researchers who conducted a large crowdsourced global experiment on the effects of deicing salt say their results show that current water quality guidelines across...
Manitoba streamlines bacteriological tests for water in northern Indigenous sites
Manitoba officials are investing in an automated microbiology testing system based in the City of Thompson that would expedite drinking water testing for three...
Barrie earns perfect score in Ontario water quality inspection
Following its annual provincial inspection, the Ontario City of Barrie has earned a perfect score for its drinking water.
The city’s rating will soon be...
Canada opens new funding for recruitment of First Nations water operators
The federal government has launched a call for proposals that will provide up to $500,000 per project that addresses the retention, recruitment and availability...
Hamilton saves over $500k using proactive water leak detection program
Following a two-year pilot project, the City of Hamilton launched a program to proactively detect water leaks in underground pipes in early 2021. That...
Longueuil, Quebec strives towards better water future with new projects
Despite recent challenges with sewage overflows, the Quebec city of Longueuil has two significant projects in the works that officials hope will change the...
UWaterloo study says turn nitrogen pollution into an advantage
A new University of Waterloo study could act as a roadmap for scientists, policymakers, and the public to begin to overcome the lasting impacts...
Great Lakes drinking water study links gastro bugs to heavy storms
A new study of environmental and health data shows that the risk of stomach bugs in four North American cities around the Great Lakes...
Mobile water treatment lab gives Yukon students hands-on hours
After COVID-19 halted the ability of Yukon University students to visit local water treatment plants for on-site training, new funding has allowed the school...
EPA unveils cybersecurity action plan for water utilities
As the U.S. formulates a national plan to increase the resilience of its critical infrastructure against cyberattacks, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has laid...
Developing an action plan for remediation and management of PFAS in groundwater
By James M. Tinjum and Elliot Draxler
A better understanding is needed of how different PFAS compounds migrate within and between surficial source areas, the...
Studying cyanobacterial blooms, nutrients and oxygen in a phosphorus-rich lake
By Robert Bowen
Victoria, British Columbia, experienced several record-breaking weather events last year, including a heat dome, with temperatures reaching over 40°C, a prolonged drought,...
Regulating and removing PFOA and PFOS to protect public health
By Saleha Kuzniewski
In 2006, Environment Canada and Health Canada concluded from their studies that while PFOS were not a health concern at the exposure...
Overcoming water treatment disinfection challenges from elevated ammonia levels
By Tony Kobilnyk
Chlorine disinfection can become difficult when ammonia concentration is as low as 0.2 mg/L. At this level, ammonia begins reacting with chlorine...
An affordable start to digital transformation for water utilities
By Dave Johnston
With the right sensors and systems, even small- to medium-size water utilities can start realizing the benefits of digitalization without having to...
Water treatment plant offers growing future to northern Ontario First Nation
When the members of Shoal Lake #40 First Nation began drawing safe water from their newly opened water treatment plant in September 2021, it marked a historic milestone for the people living on the reserve. Located on the Manitoba/Ontario border, on the shores of Shoal Lake, the community went 24 years without safe drinking water.
Improving public health in the Arctic by providing a safe water supply
While preventing such waterborne infections remains a goal of improved access to high-quality water, access to adequate water quantity is also important for preventing “water-washed” diseases. These occur where personal sanitation practices, for example hand washing, can prevent transmission of diseases to other people. This issue has become particularly relevant during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Automatic scraper strainers protect critical membrane systems
Membrane filtration is a valuable, commonly used means of filtering water and wastewater. The challenge is that membrane systems are delicate and can be easily damaged by large particulates in the water. A pre-filtration step eliminates this risk by removing oversized suspended solids to prevent damage, eliminate unnecessary maintenance, and reduce the cost of premature membrane replacement.
Examining the basics of pump selection
Every pump application differs and with growing technology, there are dozens, if not hundreds of options to choose from for each application. However, there are some options that are much more efficient than others. Selecting the right pump will lead to energy savings, lower maintenance costs, process improvements, and a significant reduction in risk of system failure.
Community of Windigo Island uses hollow fibre nanofiltration technology
From a drinking perspective, the main difficulties in using Lake of the Woods as a drinking water source are elevated levels of turbidity during upset events and dissolved organic carbon and colour.
Saskatchewan study gets to bottom of ‘blue-water event’
Saskatchewan researchers say the reason a local lake turned a bold shade of blue below the ice was due to a pigment that originated...
Lethbridge water treatment upgrades allow plant to recycle waste stream
The Lethbridge water treatment plant is attempting to reduce the amount of water it draws from the Oldman River, as well as reduce its...
Water contamination issues return to Iqaluit as fuel odours continue
Iqaluit officials have once again bypassed the local water treatment plant out of fears of contamination, as fuel odours continue to raise red flags.
Just...
Fluoride back on tap in Windsor after political, supply chain delays
Fluoride has officially returned to Windsor and the surrounding Ontario area following years of political disagreement and some more recent technical delays.
ENWIN Utilities Ltd....
Canadian courts approve class-action settlement over First Nations drinking water
A federal court and the Court of Queen's Bench of Manitoba have approved a historic $8 billion class-action settlement to address decades of clean...
New high-tech buoy will help monitor Buffalo Pound Lake water quality
Saskatchewan’s Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant will be changing its monitoring equipment this coming summer with the purchase of a new sensor-loaded “superbuoy” that...
Environmental alternatives needed as road salt use triples, study finds
The use of road deicing salts has tripled in the U.S. over the last 45 years, posing an increasing threat to human health and...
First Nations water operator honoured for getting package water plant online
As a water operator, it continues to be a challenging journey for Jonathan Riberdy of Zhiibaahaasing First Nation. But, his will to face adversity...
Tiny Township groups stay in fight to protect pure water against gravel mining
Residents and researchers in Ontario’s Tiny Township are fighting the expansion of gravel pit operations they say could compromise the most pristine water ever...
Red Deer’s new residuals management facility will reduce environmental impacts
The City of Red Deer engaged Associated Engineering to improve management of the residual waste streams produced by the city's water treatment plant. The solution was to build a new residuals management facility.
District metered areas: Why accuracy matters
New approaches in measuring non-revenue water, such as virtual district metered areas (where there is no boundary valve closure), and an increase of monitoring points with flow, pressure, or noise data remote collection, require accurate and repeatable flow data as a base for all the top-end analysis.
Using hydrogeological flow modelling to identify sources of hepatitis outbreaks
Hydrogeological flow modelling approaches provide a viable and cost-effective means to identify sources of groundwater contamination contributing to hepatitis outbreaks.
Using air-operated double-diaphragm pumps to optimize filter press operation
For those looking to optimize their filter-press operations, no matter the industry or product, air-operated double-diaphragm pumps offer a number of operational advantages.
How to diagnose and repair automatic control valves
As control valves are often unseen or in remote locations, how do crews know when something is wrong before it causes a bigger problem? What can they do to prevent or reduce the risk? The answers lie in the capabilities of the control valve.
Examine the fate and transport of groundwater contaminants before settling legally
Determining the responsible party of impacted groundwater is difficult. For example, when you have multiple owners of a business over time, multiple potential sources in close proximity, or complex subsurface conditions, there may be some uncertainty about when and where the release occurred.
Tragic week of flooding causes havoc in BC, Merritt WWTP fails
Over the course of just more than a week, several British Columbia communities have been ravaged by more than a month’s worth of rainfall,...
US ocean service outlines new $15M research grants into harmful algal blooms
The largest governmental ocean science service in the U.S. is investing US$15.2 million into new research projects about the biological and financial impacts of...
Iqaluit’s water emergency enters second month
Canadian Armed Forces Operation LENTUS remains active in Iqaluit as the northern city’s state of emergency over drinking water contamination enters its second month.
Some...
PFAS lawsuits continue as California sues 3M for groundwater pollution
California's largest groundwater agency is suing 3M and a series of other companies it believes are responsible for “knowingly” polluting groundwater with perfluoroalkyl and...
Latest Articles
Cost to expand Collingwood water treatment plant doubles for second time
Municipal leaders in Collingwood and New Tecumseth said they found it “shocking” that the lowest bid for the expansion of the Raymond A. Barker...
