Ontario funds training for widely uncertified First Nation water system operators
Just one month after the Ontario government announced $1.8 million to provide additional training for First Nation drinking water system operators, a November 2017...
New report: Building capacity among small water systems in BC
Approximately, 15% of BC water users receive their water from one of over 4,500 small water systems around the province. Yet, many of these small...
Unintended consequences of municipal water conservation
Indoor residential water conservation can have unintended consequences in places where wastewater reuse has been implemented, diminishing both the quantity and quality of influent...
Water infrastructure upgrades wrap up in Quebec, kick-off in Nunavut
As the last of three water infrastructure projects nears completion in Asbestos, Quebec, new funding has been announced for two water infrastructure projects in...
Canada’s new $80M oil spill protection investment relies on ocean modelling, joint research
A key plank of a new federal government initiative to protect Canada’s oceans from oil spills involves a $45.5-million program to “leverage collaboration among...
Kelowna’s wastewater plant upgrades lead to end of 11-year water advisory
Kelowna’s wastewater treatment plant has existed in British Columbia since the early 1900s, undergoing a series of periodic upgrades. Now, for the first time...
Manitoba to improve health of lakes and waterways with stronger watershed management
The Manitoba government has introduced new proposed legislation aimed at strengthening watershed management in the province through measures that would include protecting wetlands, improving...
IJC calls on governments to set specific targets to accelerate Great Lakes restoration
In its First Triennial Assessment of Progress under the 2012 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, the International Joint Commission calls on Canada and the...
Using shellfish to clean up excess nutrients and pollution from water bodies
Shellfish aquaculture is gaining acceptance as a method to remove excess nutrients and contaminants from coastal and estuarine waters, says a recent report.
Excess nutrients such...
Drinking water system owner fined for submitting false information to the MOECC
The owner of a non-municipal year-round residential drinking water system has been fined for submitting false information to Ontario's Ministry of the Environment and...
ECO says ‘muscle and metrics’ needed to reverse Ontario’s algal bloom trend
If Ontario hopes to reverse current trends of harmful algal blooms, it needs a guiding principle around stormwater management states a new ECO report.
Artificial sweeteners in groundwater indicate contamination from septic systems
The presence of artificial sweeteners in rural groundwater shows evidence of groundwater contamination by local septic system wastewater, according to researchers from the University...
Using aquifers for water storage and withdrawal during higher demand periods
Municipalities and other government agencies are investigating methods to collect and store sufficient water for public distribution and consumption, including storage in underground aquifers.
One...
Manitoba expands flood-risk mapping project
Manitoba will be adding vital flood information to its flood mapping inventory for three of its priority watersheds in the Assiniboine River and Lake...
Stephenfield water treatment plant completed two months ahead of schedule
Completion of the Stephenfield Regional Water Treatment Plant expansion project, in southern Manitoba, was announced on October 20, 2017, approximately two months ahead of...
Arsenic exposure in U.S. drinking water declines following new EPA regulations
New research found that arsenic exposure in drinking water was significantly reduced among Americans using public water systems following the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)...
Clear lakes disguise impaired water quality
Lakes in agricultural areas surrounded by fields often appear green in colour due to nitrogen and phosphorus in fertilizers. Excess fertilizer that runs into...
Ontario’s Chief Drinking Water Inspector releases annual report
The Chief Drinking Water Inspector’s Annual Report provides information about the performance of Ontario’s regulated drinking water systems and laboratories, drinking water test results,...
Methods to eliminate common pesticide atrazine in surface water
Atrazine, widely used as a weedkiller, is known to have harmful effects on aquatic wildlife and presents a risk to human health by altering...
Toronto Water develops 20-year energy optimization plan
By Abhay Tadwalkar, Toronto Water
As the City of Toronto’s largest energy user, Toronto Water has actively sought to implement capital projects and operational changes...
Survey of large-scale pump system optimization practices
By Morris Liu, City of Calgary
The Canadian Water and Wastewater Association conducted a national survey on large-scale pumping system optimization. It identifies what products/practices...
Report identifies ways to improve flood resilience in Calgary
The Bow River Water Management Project report outlines both short- and long-term options to build multiple layers of resilience throughout the Bow River basin to...
British Columbia orders review of Hullcar Aquifer
British Columbia's Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy George Heyman announced on August 2, 2017, a new review of the Hullcar Aquifer, with...
Reducing the risk of Legionnaires’ disease from contaminated water systems
By Dan Broder
Legionnaires’ disease, a severe and potentially deadly form of pneumonia, is increasingly a threat to public health. Canada made headlines when news...
The Government of Canada invests $25.7 million in the Lake Winnipeg Basin Program
The Government of Canada announced it will invest $25.7 million in the Lake Winnipeg Basin Program, with a focus on reducing nutrient pollution, enhancing collaboration...
Long-term rehabilitation of a 90-year-old water reservoir
This is an overview of the long-term rehabilitation follow-up work to extend the service life of the water treatment plant reservoir in Peterborough.
World Water Day is worth paying attention to year round
World Water Day is an annual awareness project, officially celebrated on March 22, but worthy of our attention all year round.
Standardization key to updating aging SCADA for water and wastewater utility
In 2016, Strathcona County, Alberta, decided to replace their aging SCADA software system that was no longer supported by the vendor.
Landfill-feeding seagulls pose a threat to nearby water bodies, study finds
The 1.4 million seagulls that feed at landfills across North America pose a threat to nearby water bodies, a new study from Duke University...
The Kinsmen Club fined $2,000 for Safe Drinking Water Act Violations
The Kinsmen Club of Stratford Incorporated has been fined for failing to ensure that no drinking water was supplied after a shutdown period of...
Ontario introduces new water bottling fee
Beginning August 1, 2017, water bottlers in Ontario will pay $503.71 for every million litres of groundwater taken. The announcement was made by the...
Crypto outbreaks linked to swimming have doubled since 2014
Outbreaks of a parasitic infection linked to swimming pools and water playgrounds are increasingly being reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention...
Funding announced for upgrades to solid waste management and water and wastewater systems in...
Canada's Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Amarjeet Sohi, and Nunavut Minister of Community and Government Services, Joe Savikataaq, announced over $230 million in joint...
Report says half of Canadian households treat drinking water
According to Statistics Canada, half of Canadian households treated their drinking water in 2015. Households in Newfoundland and Labrador (65%) were most likely to...
St. Margarets, NB receives funding for water infrastructure upgrades
The community of St. Margarets, New Brunswick has received an estimated $2.15 million in funding for upgrades to their water infrastructure.
The project, announced on...
Radical increase in water and sanitation investment required, WHO
Countries are not increasing spending fast enough to meet the water and sanitation targets under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), says a new report...
A model water treatment system for low-income communities
Researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) have developed a simple water treatment process that may make high-quality drinking water more accessible to...
NFLD water operators honoured by Minister
Eddie Joyce, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment, gave a statement to the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly on April 3, 2017, honouring...
Water and wastewater infrastructure funding news
Provincial and federal funding was announced for a number of water and wastewater infrastructure projects across Canada.
British Columbia
Port Alberni, British Columbia – Additional funding...
RFID technology helps optimize moving bed biofilters
Big data and RFID technologies represent a huge opportunity to improve biofilter equipment reliability and reduce maintenance and refurbishment costs.
Customizing water efficiency solutions for industrial manufacturers
By Alyssa Cerbu and Eric Meliton
The manufacturing sector in Canada faces many challenges related to international competition. To remain competitive, companies must seek viable...
Construction company fined $120,000 for Ontario Water Resources Act Violations
Aecon Construction and Materials Ltd. pleaded guilty to two offences and was fined $120,000 for discharging a material into water that may impair the...
SaskWater announces two year rate adjustment
SaskWater announced a two year rate adjustment for customers receiving potable and non-potable water. Rate adjustments vary by system and will take effect in...
Canada’s infrastructure plan is a chance to address urban water issues, report
A new report released by the Forum for Leadership on Water (FLOW) urges the federal government to make innovative and sustainable urban water infrastructure...
Filling in the information gap with water system pilot testing
Raw water sources, specifically inland lakes, rivers and groundwater, are site specific and can be challenging to treat. Information from literature and other case...
San Diego County opens 204 MLD drinking water desalination plant
The Carlsbad plant taps into the largest reservoir in the world – the Pacific Ocean. It uses the seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) technique to produce more than 204 million litres of drinking water per day.
Indigenous Water Forum a powerful event
The purpose of the forum was to bridge people’s knowledge of water through sharing of indigenous ways of knowing, research presentations and demonstrations of practical applications.
Pressure mounting to use unconventional industrial water sources
Diminishing and increasingly regulated high-quality fresh water sources has pushed the issue of industrial water recycling into the forefront.
Water plant uses powdered activated carbon for pesticide removal
When a water treatment plant faced a spike in pesticide concentration, it chose a mobile, trailer-mounted activated carbon dosing system.
Several water and wastewater infrastructure projects announced
A flurry of funding for water and wastewater infrastructure projects across Canada has been recently announced, along with updates on several projects reaching completion.
We've...
York Region profiles the people behind its water system
By Roy Huetl, Regional Municipality of York
The Regional Municipality of York in Ontario provides safe, clean, reliable, affordable and convenient drinking water and wastewater...
No detections following Saskatchewan’s invasive mussels monitoring plan
The Government of Saskatchewan has wrapped up its aquatic invasive species (AIS) monitoring program for 2016 with no confirmed findings of invasive mussels within...
Ontario drinking water among the safest and best protected, says report
Ontario's drinking water is among the safest and best protected in the world, according to the province's Chief Drinking Water Inspector's 2015-2016 Annual Report.
GE to sell its Water & Process Technology business
General Electric confirmed that it is exploring options for selling its Water & Process Technology business in a news release on October 31, 2016.
GE...
Ontario proposes hold on new and expanded water bottling operations
Ontario's Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change announced it is proposing a two-year moratorium on new or expanded groundwater takings by bottling companies,...
YSI partners with leading AUV manufacturer OceanServer
OceanServer Technology, a manufacturer of commercial autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), announced on October 1, 2016, its continuation of a 10-year partnership with YSI (a...
Researchers are examining water filters used by Flint residents
Researchers from Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University are conducting studies to determine the best ways to manage the...
Applications now open for Great Lakes Project funding
Organizations working to protect, restore and enhance the Great Lakes and surrounding water systems can now apply for up to $25,000 in funding.
The Ontario...
Council of Canadians calls for boycott of Nestlé and bottled water
The Council of Canadians, an environmental activist group, launched a national boycott campaign against Nestlé and bottled water products in Guelph, Ontario, late last...
AWWA and Water Research Foundation publish cyanotoxins guidance for water utilities
The American Water Works Association (AWWA) and the Water Research Foundation (WRF) have released a guide and additional resources to help water professionals detect...
Riparian buffer zones reduce nutrient loading from agricultural runoff
Excess nitrogen from agricultural runoff can enter surface waters with devastating effects. Algal blooms and fish kills are a just a couple of possible...
Rising healthcare costs from bacteria in water supply systems
Data from the U.S. reveals that opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens in water supply systems, such as Legionella, are driving up healthcare costs.
What to do when your drinking water reservoir springs a leak
During construction of a new contact tank and clearwell, the existing water reservoir developed a leak, flooding the site and decommissioning the reservoir.
Increased frequency of algal blooms challenges drinking water systems
Cyanobacteria produces cyanotoxins that negatively affect the health of people and animals that consume or have other exposure to these waters.
Properly running HVAC system helps protect artifacts at the Jewish Museum
By Dr. Marcus Allhands
Thousands of people visit the Jewish Museum in Manhattan each year. For over 100 years it has displayed past and present...
Water reuse essential for new multi-use development projects
By Irene Hassas
With population growth and urbanization, there is increased market pressure for the development of residential houses on private property and existing recreational...
How do aggregate operations affect groundwater levels and wetlands?
Dewatering creates an excess amount of groundwater at the surface, which requires management either through surface flow and infiltration, or recirculation and pumping back as groundwater.
Groundwater storage and recovery becoming increasingly important
A recent study conducted by Canadian researchers has raised the issue of groundwater over-pumping and scarcity and confirmed groundwater's finite limit.
Tracking aluminum coagulants in drinking water treatment
Researchers have developed a new method to quickly and accurately measure the concentration of aluminum used in drinking water treatment.
Comparing Doppler and transit time ultrasonic flow meters
Ultrasonic flow meters are a non-contact means of measuring flow velocity. Understanding how they operate allows users to select the appropriate flow meter.
New acoustic leak detection technique developed by Concordia researchers
Concordia University researchers have developed a technique to locate underground leaks with 99.5% accuracy.
Case study: Benefits of an automated watermain flushing program
The City of Brockville and the Township of Elizabethtown-Kitley have benefitted from the introduction of automated flushing equipment and an established watermain flushing program.
‘Big pipe’ infrastructure solutions may no longer be affordable for smaller towns and cities
Approximately 75% of a municipality’s capital asset inventory is water, wastewater and roads. Yet small and medium municipalities face increasing pressures.
Water treatment plant saves over $6 million in solids dewatering costs
A simple, effective dewatering solution will enable Perth, Ontario, to begin treating particle-laden process water from the coagulation tanks at its water treatment plant.
Swim pools and hot tubs contain potentially harmful compounds
With summer just around the corner, plenty of people will be jumping into their backyard pool or visiting the local community centre for a...
Pilot project improves Sunnyside NL’s drinking water quality
By Colin Guthrie
With a landmass comprised largely of resistant bedrock that has been overrun by glaciers, the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador has numerous...
How to effectively control zebra mussels
Various design techniques have been employed to control infestations of zebra mussels. This article examines both tradition and non-traditional methods.
Public-private partnerships help fund municipal infrastructure projects
The water and infrastructure deficit is estimated to be in excess of $85 billion. Public-Private Partnerships are a useful municipal procurement model.
What does the Federal Budget mean for water and wastewater?
The 2016 Federal Budget includes $5 billion for water, wastewater and green infrastructure. Water and First Nations groups applauded this announcement.
Using zeta potential to determine coagulant and polymer dosage
Setting zeta potential targets is proposed as an effective strategy for guiding coagulant and filter polymer dosing.
B.C. outlines plan to address water quality in North Okanagan aquifer
The British Columbia government said it will take a series of immediate steps toward ensuring safe drinking water for approximately 200 residents near Spallumcheen...
Evaluating advancements in motor control centres
Motor control centres are used to control the starting and stopping of different process equipment such as pumps, blowers and ventilation fans.
Canada and US announce 40% phosphorus reduction target for Lake Erie
Canada and the U.S. have adopted targets to reduce phosphorus entering affected areas of Lake Erie by 40% to improve water quality and protect public health.
Remote community uses package water treatment plant
Building a water treatment plant for the remote community of Kugaaruk, Nunavut comes with a unique set of challenges including cold, logistics and supplies.
Improving oil sands production efficiency with modular evaporators
Evaporator availability is critical in steam assisted gravity drainage operation for oil sands production.
Improving high rate clarification systems in water treatment
High rate clarification systems provide a number of production and performance benefits, such as a much smaller footprint than conventional clarifiers.
How building information modelling can help your next project
Building information modelling is often overlooked for water and wastewater treatment applications. However, the benefits are numerous.
Water and wastewater treatment challenges in Canada’s North
There are many unique challenges that both operators and scientists involved in water and wastewater treatment face in Canada’s North.
Using carbon dioxide for enhanced coagulation
Carbon dioxide may be used for downward pH adjustment in enhanced coagulation for water treatment. It is less corrosive and hazardous than other acids.
Crisis in Flint sparks fury over toxic drinking water
The water emergency in Flint has started a firestorm over the danger posed by lead in drinking water, and the failure of officials to protect public health.
Water treatment plant opens its doors
James Smith Cree Nation welcomed about 50 people for an open house at their integrated biological reverse osmosis membrane water treatment plant.
Polymer coatings can significantly improve water pump efficiency
Fluid handling equipment may suffer from multiple problems, including physical and mechanical damage, as well as general or localized erosion and corrosion. These problems...
Automatic water main flushing reduces costs and improves water quality
Most water distribution systems have areas where there are pipelines that may not have sufficient demands to keep the detention time short enough to...
How Yellow Quill First Nation ended a nine year boil water advisory
In total, Yellow Quill’s boil water advisory lasted nine years. After a 22-month pilot project, a biological water treatment process lifted the advisory.
Evaluating the First Nations water management strategy
The federal government’s response to water issues on First Nation reserves has primarily been through the seven step First Nations Water Management Strategy.
Protecting against lead pipe health risks
With so many lead pipe health risks, it is shocking the number of homes that still have them. In Toronto, there are an estimated 35,000 lead service pipes.
City of Port Moody flushes its way to better water quality
Flushing is an industry standard procedure that removes stagnant water and sediment to ensure water quality. It also ensures chlorine residual levels are maintained.
What Canada can learn from California’s drought and groundwater laws
The California drought experience offers critical insights into drought planning and water management that are relevant to communities across Canada.
Robot swans bring new advanced technology to water testing
Singapore researchers are testing robotic swans that could provide essential, highly advanced water testing in reservoirs around the country and the world.
Developed by scientists...
Inside the new Echologics Innovation Site
More than 600 m of plastic and metallic water mains, allows real-world conditions that can affect leak detection and pipeline assessment, to be replicated.
Latest Articles
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...
