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Tottenham-pipeline-construction

New Tecumseth secures loan to end debt around Georgian Bay water pipeline

The Town of New Tecumseth will be using a $9.5-million loan to finally settle a debt around the Georgian Bay pipeline, which sees Collingwood...
pipe

Hamilton restores aging watermain sections following friction loss testing

A large portion of the watermains in Hamilton are unlined cast iron pipe (CIP). While the average age of the city’s watermains are around 44 years, much of this CIP is closer to 83 years.
pharmaceutical

Managing constituents of emerging concern

The presence of a CEC, such as a pharmaceutical or industrial compound, in surface or drinking water can raise public concerns as to whether the water is safe to use for drinking, recreation, fishing, or other purposes.
surface water biofiltration

Integrating biofiltration into existing water plants to improve contaminant removal

This tailored collaboration project with the City of Columbus, Ohio, aimed to combine much of the biofiltration research and demonstrate extensive full-scale biofiltration optimization and integration into the overall treatment train.
CB Shield
Geomembrane

Geomembrane solves waterproofing challenge in difficult underground installation

A large Saskatchewan potash mine needed a waterproofing membrane during maintenance on a service shaft that is used to transport personnel and equipment from ground-level to various depths of the mining operation. The site alone posed a number of challenges. It was 1,300 metres below grade and shaft wash water was expected to be entering the area long term, causing erosion problems.
landfill liner

Aquifer recharge rates can affect landfill leachate plume migration rates

Leachate releases at the bottom of waste impoundments are difficult to control and may be active for years, suggesting the need for ongoing management of associated plumes in groundwater. This study examined the effect of recharge to the water table as a component of natural attenuation for stabilizing narrow contaminant plumes from continuously leaking sources.
valve vaults installation

A new approach to construction allows for smaller valve vaults

With the M11 harness, there are multiple areas that can fail, and when failures occur, they are costly. The question that must be addressed is: “How is it possible to economize space in valve vault construction in a way that is both safe and effective?” The answer is to provide efficient thrust restraint for the pressure piping that passes through the vault in a way that does not require a harness.
ground-breaking ceremony

Remote B.C. village finally gets safe, reliable drinking water system

Associated Engineering worked with the community to consider several surface water sources surrounding the Village of Kluskus in central British Columbia. Upon examination, the long-term sustainable yield of these surface water sources would not meet the domestic water demands of the community.
Mobile testing unit

Field-testing now complete on mobile district metering project to cut water losses

This project involved the development and deployment of a mobile testing unit to directly measure the minimum night flow (MNF) into temporary and predominantly residential district metered areas (DMAs), which are relatively small, isolated sectors of a water distribution network.
Agriculture-irrigation-stock-photo

USask researchers publish findings on irrigation, water allocation models

With close to 80% of Canada’s irrigated agriculture operations taking place in Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba, researchers are taking increased note of paradoxical developments...
Decew-Falls-Water-Treatment-Plant-

Niagara Region increases monitoring after microcystin discoveries

After the first detection of microcystin at a local beach in June, and last week in reservoirs serving the DeCew Falls Water Treatment Plant, Niagara Region officials say they have moved to daily testing
Columbia Pollution Control Centre Graphic

B.C. water infrastructure set for $110M in upgrades

British Columbia and the federal government are investing $110 million in a series of drinking water, stormwater and wastewater upgrades that range from filtration...
Gardiner-Expressway-deterioration

Ontario infrastructure has $52B repair backlog, FAO report finds

Forty-five percent of Ontario’s municipal infrastructure is not in a state of good repair, suggests a new report from the Financial Accountability Office of...
Photo of North-Kalamalka-Lake

Canada invests $16M for Vernon water filtration system in B.C.

The British Columbia community of Greater Vernon will see the construction of a new water filtration facility at its Mission Hill Water Treatment Plant...
algae-bloom-research-equipment

Algal bloom toxicity harming fish year round, U of G study finds

Cyanobacterial toxins can harm fish populations even in the early stages of algal bloom development when humans cannot see it, not just during the...
Tuktoyaktuk-NWT

Four water treatment plant upgrades funded across Canada

Water treatment plant upgrades have received funding for projects in New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories. The biggest ticket item among them includes $5.9...
Drinking-water-tap

Historic $8B class-action settlement in works over First Nations water crisis

The federal government has reached a proposed settlement agreement worth nearly $8 billion over class action lawsuits that demand change and compensation after generations...
Coastal-Restoration-Society-derelict-marine-vessel-cleanup

Latest BC shoreline cleanup nets 425 tonnes of waste

Several Clean Coast, Clean Waters projects in British Columbia recently netted 425 tonnes of shoreline waste during summer cleanups. Items collected under the CleanBC Plastics...
INRS-PFAS-Researchers

Quebec team studies new class of electrodes to degrade PFAS in water

A new research project team in Quebec hopes to create innovative solutions to decontaminate waters containing harmful chemical compounds like perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances...
Shaganappi-pumping-station

A growing Calgary commissions new water pumping station

The City of Calgary has recently embarked on a $35 million project to replace the most critical water pump station in the city.
COVID-disinfection-stock-image

The unexplored toxic effects of COVID-19 disinfectants on water and wastewater

The increased use of disinfectants, including chlorine-based disinfectants, during the COVID-19 pandemic is concerning for several reasons.
photo of Grant Ferguson

Scientists measure new depths at bottom of hydrologic cycle

For the first time, researchers have mapped groundwater circulation five kilometres deep. This could help make it safer to store contaminants underground.
Low-power-WAN-overview

Different ways to transfer essential data to water and wastewater treatment facilities

Transferring data in the water and wastewater industry is essential and vital to facility operation, with critical decisions made based on simple data.
Swiveljoint-pipe-restraint-installation

Pipe restraint resilience plays an essential role in safe water system operations

It is worth examining what criteria should be followed for restraining pipe connections and which techniques to use within particular water systems.
Red-Deer-Residuals-Building

Red Deer’s new water treatment residuals facility earns sustainable infrastructure award

The City of Red Deer’s residuals management facility, currently under construction for its water treatment plant, has earned Envision Bronze verification for leadership in...
Stock-toothpaste-image

Fluoride debate returns to Regina through water treatment plant upgrades

*Update – October 25, 2021: Regina and Calgary have both decided to add fluoride to their water treatment processes. Regina will add fluoride to...
Sapotaweyak-Cree-Nation-water-plant-construction

New water treatment plants end drinking water advisories for First Nations in Saskatchewan, Manitoba

The construction of new water treatment plants in two First Nations communities means that Indigenous Services Canada has lifted two more long-term drinking water...
traffic-roundabout-stock-image

Southern Nevada region bans ‘useless’ grass in bid to conserve Colorado River supply

The Las Vegas metropolitan area of Nevada will become the first region in the U.S. to ban “non-functional” or “ornamental” grass that can often...
Lunenburg-Nova-Scotia-stock-photo

New water tower set to boost pressure, allow growth for Nova Scotia communities

A new $2.9-million gravity-fed water storage tank is set for Nova Scotia’s Osprey Village in Lunenburg County, thanks to new provincial funding. The Municipality of...
burst-water-pipe-repair

Leaky pipes hurting pocketbooks and sustainability in Ontario cities

A new study suggests that cities such as Toronto could be wasting as much as 103 million litres of treated drinking water daily due...
GPS-plastic-bottle

Ocean groups send ‘Message in a Bottle’ to G7 leaders, advance marine plastic research

On World Ocean Day, June 8, a collaboration of scientific institutions and ocean groups from around the world launched scientific monitoring devices into the...
lawn-water-sprinklers

Water shortages return to Quebec town as conservation pleas sound across Canada

Water supply issues continue to plague the small Quebec municipality of Saint-Antoine-de-Lilly, where reserves have run empty and residents face critical restrictions for water...
Uranium_City

Saskatchewan’s Uranium City seeks funding to end 20-year water advisory

Saskatchewan is trying to secure $1.7 million in federal funds to end drinking water issues that have plagued the former mining hamlet of Uranium...
newfoundland and labrador map

Communities in central N.L. funded for major water, wastewater projects

A series of critical water infrastructure upgrades have been announced for central Newfoundland, including a new ultraviolet disinfection building for Grand-Falls Windsor. In all, 12...
IT-Programer-stock-image

Halifax Water aims to improve cybersecurity after report raises concern

Halifax Water is working to strengthen its cybersecurity after a consultant report found “significant elevated risk” in the areas of disaster recovery planning and...
SeaBins-installed-PortsToronto

Seabins making strides in removing microplastics from Lake Ontario

A pilot project and collaboration between PortsToronto and the University of Toronto (U of T) collected about 85,000 small pieces of anthropogenic debris from...
microplastic-water-research

Canada funds seven microplastic research projects at universities

Canada is investing $7 million over seven projects that it hopes will take marine plastic pollution research to new levels at universities in three...
PFAS-groundwater-graphic

Treatment options for PFAS contaminated groundwater

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of chemical compounds that have been used in the manufacturing of a wide variety of consumer products since the 1940s. Due to growing public awareness and an evolving political climate, widespread changes to government regulations and enforcement are imminent.
reverse osmosis membrane

Strategies to increase existing reverse osmosis unit output

A facility may need to meet an increased reverse osmosis demand from a unit that is already at capacity, with no impact on quality.
Drayton-Valley-water-treatment-plant

Edmonton engineering firm piloting a novel machine learning water treatment process

This pilot project, believed to be the first of its kind, marks the beginning of exploring artificial intelligence and machine learning in everyday infrastructure applications, including water treatment.
water-research-students

Monitoring small watersheds is vital to community safety and water sustainability

By understanding local watersheds, communities are able to plan for a safer and more sustainable future as the effects of climate disruptions increase.
Reverse osmosis membrane

Determining when it is time to replace reverse osmosis membranes

Knowing why reverse osmosis (RO) performance has declined and which membrane elements are compromised will reduce the number of membrane elements that need to be replaced. It will also make it possible to modify RO pre-treatment, or possibly cleaning frequency.
pump rotor

Advantages of using peristaltic dosing pumps for fluids with particulates or chemicals that off-gas

Peristaltic pumps are capable of pumping both fluids with particulates and those that off-gas, without loss of prime or vapour lock.
Estevan’s drinking water tower

Saskatchewan city completes third phase of drinking water upgrade

Saskatchewan residents in the City of Estevan can expect “noticeably improved, less hard” drinking water, municipal officials explained, as they unveiled the third and final phase of the community’s drinking water system upgrade project.
transmitter sensor

Norfolk County commissions condition assessments on its transmission network

Norfolk County in Ontario recently encountered a main break on its 300-mm ductile iron transmission watermain. Learn about the project, the ePulse technology used to assess watermain conditions, and the solutions provided that led to a 10-year capital plan to replace pipes and other sections with poor condition.
Water-strainers-scraper

Scraper strainers resist clogging and fouling when faced with micron-sized particles

By Del Williams Strainers are required to remove organic debris and waste from cooling water before it goes into heat exchangers and cooling systems, and...
Walkerton Clean Water Centre

Walkerton Clean Water Centre launches new drinking water operator ethics course

The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) announced the launch of its first on-demand course titled, "Ethics for Drinking Water Operators", on May 31. Ontario’s drinking water operators...
Mink-stock-image

Denmark exhumes culled COVID mink due to groundwater contamination fear

After the Danish government culled and buried some four million farmed mink in late 2020 due to a COVID-19 mutation, officials have begun to...
tap water

Manitoba finds 34% of private wells exceed manganese health limit

A new advisory from the Manitoba government is cautioning the public about elevated levels of manganese in nearly a third of the province’s private...
Wahta_Mohawks_Exterior

Canada lifts, adds long-term drinking water advisory for Ontario First Nations

Ontario’s Wahta Mohawks, with support from Indigenous Services Canada, has lifted the long-term drinking water advisory in place since September of 2013 for the...
ice on the Martin River

NWT faces tough spring as ice breakup leads to flooding, evacuations

A number of communities in the Northwest Territories have been under a state of emergency in recent weeks, leading to evacuations for some residents...
quamichan-lake-algal-bloom

BC launches Algae Watch website for citizens to track blooms

It was a rare occurrence in summer 2020 when British Columbia's Shuswap Lake was covered in algal blooms. Now, the province has launched an...
tap water

B.C.’s Burns Lake flushing out manganese with new water treatment plant

The British Columbia Village of Burns Lake has a new $5.3-million water treatment plant that will begin to gradually flush out elevated levels of...

Ontario’s Collingwood halts construction as it discovers water demand outpacing capacity

As the Ontario Town of Collingwood pauses local construction for a year to assess its dwindling drinking water and wastewater treatment capacity, local officials...
Saskatoon-Saskatchewan

WWTP biosolids upgrade tops list of major infrastructure funding for Saskatoon

Residents of Saskatoon will soon benefit from $102 million in joint funding for 11 green infrastructure projects, including upgrades to drinking water and wastewater...
Leaking-pipe-stock-image

RCCAO says Ontario needs dedicated water infrastructure fund

Ontario needs a new dedicated fund to help municipalities “fix their leaky pipes and crumbling sewers”, states a call to action from the Residential...
aerial-photo-Black-Lake

Saskatchewan First Nation fined for wastewater discharge into lake

The Black Lake Denesuline First Nation of Saskatchewan faces a $10,000 fine after federal officials discovered some 86,000 litres of wastewater had been released...
plastic-bottles-on-a-shoreline

Great Lakes Region aims to create circular economy to fight plastic pollution

Plastic contamination of water will be the first priority area for a new initiative called Circular Great Lakes. Circular, as in circular economy, the Council...
Kelowna-map-GIS

Optimizing Kelowna’s water system improves coverage and multi-use

In 2017, the City of Kelowna, British Columbia began the process of separating agricultural and domestic water systems as part of its integrated water supply plan. It calls for an integrated water system that provides the lowest cost, city-wide solution for drinking water, that also maintains agricultural interests.

Accelerating digital transformation in the water industry to improve efficiency

Tech-savvy water utility managers understand that centralizing operational data into one unified system can help achieve both goals, while boosting efficiency and improving long-term asset performance.

Digital twins equip utilities to proactively manage and improve water systems

Digital technologies are advancing the development of sustainable water systems. One of the most leading-edge digital solutions today is the use of digital twinning for water systems.
DE NORA TETRA ABF bioactive filters

Advanced biological filtration provides multi-barrier approach to complex contaminant removal

Traditional treatment plants were not designed to remove modern organic and synthetic contaminants. Recognizing this, many municipalities are searching for new ways to effectively meet the challenge.
Semiahmoo-First-Nation-water-event

B.C. ends last First Nations long-term water advisory

British Columbia has reached the milestone of clearing every long-term water advisory in its First Nation communities, now that Semiahmoo First Nation has been...
Westslope-Cutthroat-Trout

Teck Coal fined record $60M for B.C. river contamination

In the highest fine ever imposed by a court for pollution in violation of the Fisheries Act, Teck Coal Limited has been ordered to...
Fish-and-plastics-ocean-stock-image

DFO funds projects to analyze contaminant damage to ecosystems

Fisheries and Oceans Canada has announced nearly $2.9 million to support nine research projects that will analyze the effects of contaminants like microplastics, oil,...
Naicatchewenin-First-Nation-water-treatment-plant

Nearly $90M in funding could jumpstart water work for 37 Ontario First Nations

Canada is investing $69.5 million for clean drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure improvements in 37 First Nation communities across Ontario. The new funding will...
water-pump

USask water security exchange program aims to improve life for West African women

A research team from the University of Saskatchewan has secured funding for a new water security and scholar exchange project that endeavours to help...
First Nations water advisory infographic

Canada launches new website to track progress on First Nations water advisories

On the heels of a recent critical report from the federal auditor general, Indigenous Services Canada says a new website will help track progress...
Magpie_River

Quebec’s Magpie River first in Canada to be granted personhood

Quebec is the first Canadian province to join a global movement – particularly active in New Zealand, the U.S. and Ecuador – that recognizes...
Heather-Murphy-headshot

U of G researcher leads study to monitor UV impact on well water families

A University of Guelph researcher and an Ontario-based water tech company are partnering on a new study that will explore illness-causing microbes in residential...
Real-Time Aquatic Ecosystem Observation Network

UWindsor team to monitor harmful algal blooms in real time

University of Windsor researchers are using a $1 million grant to deploy real-time monitoring sensors into Lake Erie to understand more about harmful algal...
cases of bottled water

Nestlé sells portion of Canadian bottled water operations

Following the attempted sale of Nestlé’s Pure Life water business in Canada, the water giant has now made further efforts to distance itself from...
First-Nations-water-image

Auditor general ‘disheartened’ by failure to meet First Nations drinking water targets

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is drawing attention to a new federal auditor general report that warns how little has been done to...
Vernon-Water-Reclamation-Centre

Vernon forced to discharge wastewater to lake as irrigation use derailed

Starting this month, the Vernon Water Reclamation Centre (VWRC) will be forced to discharge reclaimed water through a deep outfall to British Columbia’s Okanagan...
Dissolved-oxygen-sampling

Studying algal blooms, light penetration and oxygen levels in a phosphorus-rich lake

By Robert Bowen Conditions within high total phosphorus lakes vary significantly over the course of a year as available nutrients allow for the ramping up...
Fort McMurray flooding

Coordinated response helped quickly restore Fort McMurray’s drinking water

The water system recovery plan was based on similar work following the wildfire in 2016. This latest river flooding caused contaminated water to enter...
Post hydrants

Hamilton conducts dead-end watermain flushing program using post hydrants

There are a few ways to ensure water quality is maintained through the system, once it leaves the treatment plant. The primary one is that the water continues to flow through the system without the opportunity to sit stagnant. Dead-end watermains are the enemy in this scenario and unavoidable in old distribution systems.
Standard Pressure Reducing Valve

Looking at key practices for control valve operation

Since it is installed after the pipe is in place, each control valve must be adapted to the specific application. With so many applications being unique to a utility, there are some best practices that every control valve operator should have in their toolbox before trying to tackle some of the more difficult concepts.
stock image of a hacker

Hacker dangerously raises sodium hydroxide levels at Florida water plant

Digital forensics experts in Florida’s Pinellas County are investigating a software hack of the City of Oldsmar’s water treatment plant computer system. On February 5,...
Alberta-Coal-Mine-stock-image

Alberta reinstates coal mining safeguards after critics warn of polluted rivers

The Alberta government has reversed a coal mining policy decision that critics say eased certain environmental safeguards and threatened contamination of Saskatchewan rivers, in...
quartz-mine-tunnel

Yukon releases quartz mining guidelines to protect water

Yukon’s quartz mining proponents must now submit an adaptive management plan, outlining how they will manage water at hard rock exploration sites. Officials say the...
Saskatoon-skyline

Saskatoon launches new water training program for First Nations

Kanātan nipīy, meaning the water is clean, is the name of a new water training program in Saskatoon that aims to foster First Nations...
Karl-Linden-Clarke-Prize-photo

Colorado professor wins water award for UV research legacy

The National Water Research Institute (NWRI) has awarded its annual Clarke Prize for Excellence in Water Research to University of Colorado Boulder Civil Engineering...
Thames Water workers

Thames Water UK launches massive hiring drive, triples apprenticeships

Britain’s largest water and wastewater utility said it hopes to hire 1,000 new workers this year, Thames Water UK announced late last month. The water...
Flint Water Treatment Plant sign

Charges laid against nine Michigan officials in Flint water crisis

The former Governor of Michigan, as well as city staff that includes the former director of public works, are now facing a series of...
Lake-Superior-ice-cover

Climbing GHGs may stop many lakes from freezing, say York researchers

New research by Ontario’s York University suggests that if the planet’s greenhouse gas emissions aren’t drastically reduced, 179 lakes could permanently lose ice cover...
ater-sampling-testing-stock-image

Citizen science may educate public on pharmaceutical water pollution, report suggests

A new report examining pharmaceuticals found in the Great Lakes considers how citizen science initiatives could be developed to educate as well as fill...
Thunder Bay sunrise

Thunder Bay makes lead service pipe replacement loans a reality

The northern Ontario City of Thunder Bay has approved a $1.3-million community loan program to help residents replace lead service pipes on private property. The...
old-lead-water-service-line

AWWA ‘enthusiastic’ over historic revisions to U.S. Lead and Copper Rule

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the first major update to its underachieving Lead and Copper Rule in nearly 30 years. The EPA...
Canada Lake Diefenbaker

Canada Water Agency consultations begin as discussion paper released

Canada has opened online consultations towards establishing the new Canada Water Agency, a venture to improve and centralize the country’s freshwater management under the...
vaccine-stock-image

U.S. water sector highlights critical role as vaccine rollout planning begins

Calling the water sector a “lifeline sector” that “underpins all aspects of society,” officials with the U.S.-based Water Sector Coordinating Council (WSCC) say they...
Lake-Koocanusa-Montana

Montana alters selenium limits to protect lake from B.C. mining pollution

The U.S. state of Montana has passed stricter requirements on selenium levels in Lake Koocanusa and the Kootenai River in an attempt to guard...
Memorial-Fountain-Thames-River

Water infrastructure upgrades slated for Quebec, Ontario communities

Significant water infrastructure projects in Quebec and Ontario received funding the week of December 7 from the federal government as investments in the protection...
Rebecca Dolgoy Water Sample

Ottawa museum obtains billion-year-old water sample from U of T geochemist

In 2009, University of Toronto geochemist Dr. Barbara Sherwood Lollar and her team collected what was later proven to be the oldest-known flowing water...
Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller

Canada will miss 2021 deadline to end all First Nations water advisories

Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller held a press conference on December 2 to confirm that Canada will miss its March 2021 deadline to lift...
water main unidirectional flushing

Unidirectional distribution system flushing program improves White Rock’s water quality

Watermain flush­ing in White Rock, B.C. has been conducted regularly for corrosion control, sediment removal, taste and odour con­trol, maintaining low turbidity, main­taining disinfectant residual, and the prevention of bacterial growth.
James-Campbell-Amy-Barrilleaux-James-MacAdam

Helping the water sector chart a path through the rough waters of public relations

Three municipal experts in navigating the minefield of public opinion on difficult water issues such as lead and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances swapped success stories during a recent virtual summit organized by the American Water Works Association.

Evacuated Neskantaga First Nation still waiting for action on water crisis

The website of the Neskantaga First Nation is now filled with video testimonies from some of its nearly 300 residents, to shine light on...
eDNA-sampling-Waterra-Peristaltic-Pump-eDNA-filter

The important role of high capacity water filters in eDNA sampling of surface water

Once the sampling site locations and protocols have been established, the next practical matter is sampling protocol. There is a compelling case to do filtration in the field as opposed to the logistical challenge of transporting samples to a laboratory setting.
microplastics in ocean water

Global Water Institute earns grant to detect, remove microplastics from wastewater

Ottawa’s Global Water Institute has received a $230,000, 18-month grant for research to develop solutions for the detection and removal of microplastics and microfibres...

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