Environment Canada

Chilliwack on target for the driest September in more than a century of weather records

Chilliwack on target for the driest September in more than a century of weather records

Friday is looking like it will mark a milestone of 51 days of drought in sun-drenched Chilliwack. However it it rains, as forecast earlier in the week by Environment Canada, it means the longest ever dry spell on record for Chilliwack, 51 days set in 1951, will be broken on Sept. 23. If it doesn’t rain, it means the stage 4 drought level, that the Lower Mainland entered on Sept. 15, will continue.

Water levels down in Peguis First Nation, but flood fight far from over

Water levels down in Peguis First Nation, but flood fight far from over

After close to two weeks, water is finally receding in Peguis First Nation, but officials say the community isn't out of the woods yet. Those who have stayed in the community in Manitoba's Interlake through the worst of this spring's flooding there are tired, but happy to see the water starting to go down. That includes Kim Sutherland, whose family spent the last week and a half working nearly 24/7 to save their home, using six pumps and a Tiger Dam — a series of water-filled tubes that create a barrier to hold the floodwaters back.

Water service restored in Inukjuak after nearly 4 weeks

Water service restored in Inukjuak after nearly 4 weeks

Water service has been restored in Inukjuak nearly four weeks after the community’s main pipe froze. The frozen pipe had forced the community to get water directly from the river instead of from its water treatment plant. The pipe, which connects the community’s water pump to the distribution facility, froze after a heater broke, said mayor Pauloosie Kasudluak. Municipal and KRG staff had been on the ground since day one working to fix the issue.

Well water fears prompt calls to halt proposed bottling plant near B.C. village

Well water fears prompt calls to halt proposed bottling plant near B.C. village

The proposed water-bottling plant has raised concerns from the High Bar First Nation over the aquifer's long-term sustainability, and has fuelled calls for a moratorium on groundwater bottling licences issued by the province. Greg Crookes, a natural resource manager for the High Bar First Nation, says the community has been in regular talks with the province, each time strongly opposing the plant. "If we say yes to extracting some water now, what's that going to look like 10, 20, or 100 from now?" said Crookes. He says the area only gets about 28 centimetres of precipitation per year, the same figure included in Environment Canada's precipitation records for the years 1981 to 2010. "If they need water, go to the places where the water exists — don't go to some of the driest places in B.C.," he said. "The ranchers need the water, the First Nations need the water, the animals need the water."

Environment Canada resuming water monitoring in Mackenzie River Basin, still no consultation with Northern leaders

Environment Canada resuming water monitoring in Mackenzie River Basin, still no consultation with Northern leaders

Dene National Chief Norman Yakeleya said that the issue of water safety, especially flowing from the oil sands, has been a concern for as long as he has been Chief. In a tele-press conference Yakeleya told media that he is “befuddled as to why an essential service, such as monitoring the quality of the water coming from the oil sands production fields, was suspended.” He said that water is essential for drinking, for fish, for the animals, and “for the sake of all people in the Northwest Territories.”

Canada failed at monitoring waste dumps from mining companies

Canada failed at monitoring waste dumps from mining companies

Canada's federal environment and fisheries departments failed at monitoring waste dumps by mining companies and did not always check if these firms were carrying out plans to save fish from lethal chemicals, Canada's environment commissioner has found.