Alberta testing water tech as possible extreme drought looms
Alberta is spending millions of dollars on technology projects to help conserve, track and manage water usage as the province faces the risk of extreme drought conditions into the spring and summer.
The provincial government has spent more than $75 million to support more than 100 projects through the Water Innovation Program – including water recycling technology being tested at Calgary's water treatment facilities.
"These innovative projects are part of our work to modernize and transform how water is used in this province, finding new and better ways to manage, conserve and utilize our most precious resource," said Rebecca Schulz, Alberta's minister of environment and protected areas.
A project developed at the University of Alberta is first being trialled in Calgary to determine how well it's able to reuse and recycle water.
The program, which uses a “granular sludge reactor,” is operational at Calgary's water treatment facilities to increase water capacity.
Calgary recorded more than 35 centimetres of snow from last Tuesday to Saturday, exceeding the monthly snowfall average for March in a single event.
Data from Environment and Climate Change Canada shows Calgary has received about 62 centimetres of snow so far this month.
Despite the recent dumping of snow, the City of Calgary says it is preparing for the possibility of water restrictions in May if dry conditions continue.
"Conditions have improved moderately since mid-winter, but the Calgary region remains in a drought," reads the most recent drought update from the city, published last week.
The city is already planning to conserve water through the spring by limiting usage for vehicle cleaning and watering parks. City crews will also reuse stormwater for golf courses, parks and city flower baskets.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Freeland leaves capital gains tax change out of coming budget implementation bill, here's why
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will be tabling yet another omnibus bill to pass a sweeping range of measures promised in her April 16 federal budget, though left out of the legislation will be the government's proposed capital gains tax change.
Ontario woman surprised after 20-year-old fines suddenly tank credit score
An Ontario woman says that she was shocked when provincial fines from 20 years ago suddenly tanked her credit score last week, but the situation may not be as unusual as it seems, according to at least one debt expert.
Avalanche eliminate Winnipeg Jets from playoffs with 6-3 road win
Mikko Rantanen's first two goals of the playoffs propelled the Colorado Avalanche to a 6-3 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday that clinched their opening-round playoff series in five games.
Protesters clash at UCLA after police clear pro-Palestinian demonstrators from Columbia University
Dueling groups of protesters clashed Wednesday at the University of California, Los Angeles, grappling in fistfights and shoving, kicking and using sticks to beat one another. Hours earlier, police carrying riot shields burst into a building at Columbia University that pro-Palestinian protesters took over and broke up a demonstration that had paralyzed the school while inspiring others.
Will an 'out of sight, out of mind' cellphone policy make a difference in Ontario schools?
Ontario’s cellphone ban in schools has been met with mixed reaction, with some teachers concerned about constant policing of kids and experts applauding the change as necessary for student learning.
WATCH Arnold Schwarzenegger spotted filming in Elora, Ont.
The name of the project has not been officially released although it’s widely believed to be the Netflix series FUBAR.
Poilievre kicked out of Commons after calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'wacko'
Testy exchanges between the prime minister and his chief opponent ended with the Opposition leader and one of his MPs being ejected from the House of Commons on Tuesday -- and the rest of Conservative caucus walking out of the chamber in protest.
National strategy must recognize caregivers as 'backbone' of society: centre
Canadians need help looking after family members who are aging, sick or have disabilities, and many caregivers are seniors who need help themselves, says a new report calling for a national strategy that recognizes the mental and financial toll of the job.
Baby, grandparents among 4 people killed in wrong-way police chase on Ontario's Hwy. 401
A police chase which started with a liquor store robbery in Bowmanville Monday night ended in tragedy some 20 minutes later when a suspect fleeing police entered Highway 401 in the wrong direction and caused a pileup which killed an infant and the child's grandparents, as well as the suspect, investigators say.