Water

Sooke Lake Reservoir is on the brink of exceeding its capacity. (Photo courtesy CRD)

‘Unprecedented’ weather causing Sooke Lake reservoir to fill up

CRD’s primary water source nears 100 per cent of capacity, spillage would affect Sooke River flows

 

Roberta Hicks de Plumpton has a front row seat to the high water on the Chemainus River. Husband Clive’s Great Wall protects the property from the flood waters. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Great Wall of Westholme the ultimate barrier between the Hicks household and Chemainus River

Husband’s legacy ensures rising flood waters are kept at bay

 

Members of the Iqaluit Fire Department assist with flushing the city’s water pipes in Iqaluit, Nunavut, on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021. Engineers say the source of fuel in Iqaluit’s water likely comes from an underground fuel tank built in 1962. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dustin Patar

Fuel in Iqaluit’s water likely from 59-year-old underground tank: engineers

Water testing has come back clean since Oct. 24

 

Residents line up to fill containers with potable water in Iqaluit, Nunavut on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021. The City of Iqaluit says an old underground spill is likely responsible for fuel that is contaminating the city’s tap water. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Emma Tranter

Underground fuel spill found next to Iqaluit’s water treatment plant

No timeline for when the city’s residents will be able to drink Iqaluit’s tap water again

Residents line up to fill containers with potable water in Iqaluit, Nunavut on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021. The City of Iqaluit says an old underground spill is likely responsible for fuel that is contaminating the city’s tap water. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Emma Tranter
Much of southern B.C. remains under drought conditions (B.C. Drought Map/B.C. Drought Information Portal)

B.C. urged to conserve water as drought conditions persist through summer’s end

Recent rains have alleviated drought conditions in some parts of B.C., but severe drought remains

Much of southern B.C. remains under drought conditions (B.C. Drought Map/B.C. Drought Information Portal)
Surveying the Chemainus River watershed provides some interesting insights for Erik Piikkila. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Vancouver Island forester says more than climate change behind our trickling rivers

Expert says the status quo not going to cut it anymore in our forests and watersheds

Surveying the Chemainus River watershed provides some interesting insights for Erik Piikkila. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Water use on the Koksilah River has been curtailed again this year due to critically low water flows. (File photo)

Cowichan’s Koksilah River flows hit critical level, B.C. orders some to turn off taps

Water use curtailed for industrial purposes, as well as for irrigation of forage crops

Water use on the Koksilah River has been curtailed again this year due to critically low water flows. (File photo)
Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services, holds a press conference in Ottawa on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Federal government reaches nearly $8B deal with First Nations on drinking water suit

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised in 2015 to lift all drinking water advisories by this March

Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services, holds a press conference in Ottawa on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
The weir at Cowichan Lake will be used to reduce the flow of water from Cowichan Lake into the Cowichan River due to drought conditions. (Citizen file)

Catalyst reducing water flow into Cowichan River due to drought

Catalyst confirms cubic metres per second going down to 5.5 by Friday

The weir at Cowichan Lake will be used to reduce the flow of water from Cowichan Lake into the Cowichan River due to drought conditions. (Citizen file)
The Tetayut (Sandhill) Creek watershed has been listed by the province as being at risk from water scarcity. (Black Press Media file)

Saanich Peninsula watershed among those being monitored for drought by province

Tetayut/Sandhill Creek suffering from a lack of rainfall in recent weeks

The Tetayut (Sandhill) Creek watershed has been listed by the province as being at risk from water scarcity. (Black Press Media file)
Elk and Beaver Lake Park suffering from nutrient build up, Saanich staff and council to address the problem. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

District of Saanich to play leading role in cleaning up water at Elk/Beaver Lake

Delicate health of ecosystem declining, increased human activity in the Colquitz watershed blamed

Elk and Beaver Lake Park suffering from nutrient build up, Saanich staff and council to address the problem. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Juan de Fuca Electoral Area director Mike Hicks said sometimes you need to boil water. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Turbidity main culprit for East Sooke water woes

The ultraviolet treatment method needs clear water to kill bacteria

Juan de Fuca Electoral Area director Mike Hicks said sometimes you need to boil water. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Areas shaded in blue are under a boil water advisory as of May 19, 2021. (CRD image)

Boil water advisory initiated in Port Renfrew

Residents warned to boil water for a full minute

Areas shaded in blue are under a boil water advisory as of May 19, 2021. (CRD image)
The province is pitching in to tackle toxicity in Elk and Beaver Lake, popular swimming and rowing spots for Greater Victoria. (Black Press Media file photos)

Province funds $750k to help CRD tackle toxic algae blooms in Saanich lakes

Technology expected to be installed by April 1, 2022, and cost about $1.4 million

The province is pitching in to tackle toxicity in Elk and Beaver Lake, popular swimming and rowing spots for Greater Victoria. (Black Press Media file photos)
Stage 1 water restrictions took effect across Greater Victoria on May 1. (Black Press Media file photo)

Summer watering restrictions in effect for Greater Victoria

Check your house number before you water

Stage 1 water restrictions took effect across Greater Victoria on May 1. (Black Press Media file photo)
The midnight sun shines over the ice-covered waters near Resolute Bay at 1:30 am as seen from the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker Louis S. St-Laurent Saturday, July 12, 2008. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Canada has 20% of the world’s freshwater reserves — this is how to protect it

Researchers suggest the need for a Canada Water Agency dedicated to water management across the country

  • May 1, 2021
The midnight sun shines over the ice-covered waters near Resolute Bay at 1:30 am as seen from the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker Louis S. St-Laurent Saturday, July 12, 2008. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Saanich and the Capital Regional District are offering free leak detection kits at municipal hall on Vernon Avenue until March 26 in honour of Fix-a-leak Week. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Free leak detection kits available to Saanich residents to reduce water waste, save money

CRD Fix-a-leak Week runs March 15-21, kits available until March 26

Saanich and the Capital Regional District are offering free leak detection kits at municipal hall on Vernon Avenue until March 26 in honour of Fix-a-leak Week. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
The Conservation Officers Service is warning aquarium users after invasive and potentially destructive mussels were found in moss balls from a pet store. (BC Conservation Officers Service/Facebook)

Conservation inspects more than 600 B.C. stores for invasive mussels

Since found to be sold in Washington, two B.C. residents find invasive mussels within product

The Conservation Officers Service is warning aquarium users after invasive and potentially destructive mussels were found in moss balls from a pet store. (BC Conservation Officers Service/Facebook)
Did you know: A whopping 19 per cent of household indoor water in the CRD goes down the shower drain. The good news is that small changes can lead to big impacts!

How the 5-minute shower pays big dividends

Is there power in a five-minute shower? From both an environmental and…

  • Jan 18, 2021
Did you know: A whopping 19 per cent of household indoor water in the CRD goes down the shower drain. The good news is that small changes can lead to big impacts!
FILE - In this Jan. 23, 2018, file photo, former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder delivers his State of the State address at the state Capitol in Lansing, Mich. Former Gov. Snyder, Nick Lyon, former director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and other ex-officials have been told they’re being charged after a new investigation of the Flint water scandal, which devastated the majority Black city with lead-contaminated water and was blamed for a deadly outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in 2014-15, The Associated Press has learned. (AP Photo/Al Goldis, File)

Michigan plans to charge ex-governor in Flint lead-contaminated water scandal

Flint water scandal devastated the majority Black city with lead-contaminated water

FILE - In this Jan. 23, 2018, file photo, former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder delivers his State of the State address at the state Capitol in Lansing, Mich. Former Gov. Snyder, Nick Lyon, former director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and other ex-officials have been told they’re being charged after a new investigation of the Flint water scandal, which devastated the majority Black city with lead-contaminated water and was blamed for a deadly outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in 2014-15, The Associated Press has learned. (AP Photo/Al Goldis, File)