Water News

Water News is a free, subscription-based service that provides the latest information on water news across Canada and upcoming events.
The news is distributed weekly on Mondays via a collated email and Monday to Friday via WaterPortal social media (X was Twitter). Please note that news will not be distributed on Holiday Mondays and will be released the following Tuesday.  
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B.C. atmospheric river a successful first test of community-led rain management project

B.C. atmospheric river a successful first test of community-led rain management project

CBC


The torrential rains that drenched the Lower Mainland last weekend were the first test for a new, community-led rainwater solution in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant neighbourhood.   Click here to read the story. Click the following link for more information on Infrastructure.

B.C. atmospheric river a successful first test of community-led rain management project

B.C. atmospheric river a successful first test of community-led rain management project

CBC


The torrential rains that drenched the Lower Mainland last weekend were the first test for a new, community-led rainwater solution in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant neighbourhood.   Click here to read the story. Click the following link for more information on Infrastructure.

Compare and contrast: ‘My life has improved’: Water tower and rationing bring hope to drought-stricken community in Zambia

Compare and contrast: ‘My life has improved’: Water tower and rationing bring hope to drought-stricken community in Zambia

EuroNews Green

Brought by the naturally occurring El Ni o weather pattern, the drought has triggered emergency responses in at least five countries.” A prolonged drought in Southern Africa has plunged nations into crisis as they battle with severe water shortages, blackouts and devastated harvests.   Click here to read the story.  Click the following link for more information on Drought.

Rural water utilities in ‘poor condition’ and need $2.96 billion investment: report

Rural water utilities in ‘poor condition’ and need $2.96 billion investment: report

CTV News

There are thousands of kilometres of water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure connecting homes and businesses in rural Alberta – and no matter the type of utility you look at or the region it’s in, you’ll find this essential infrastructure is in poor condition and in need of significant investment, according to a new report from the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA).   Click here to read the story.  Click the following link for more information on Infrastructure.

Africa Week of Action Against Water Privatisation

Africa Week of Action Against Water Privatisation

Public Services International


The Our Water Our Right Africa Coalition (OWORAC) launched the 4th edition of its annual Week of Action Against Water Privatisation, coinciding with the World Bank’s Annual General Meeting. This year’s event is being held from October 21st to October 26th, 2024, under the theme ‘Water Justice Over Profit’, highlighting the growing demand across Africa for equitable access to water, free from the constraints of privatisation and profit-driven policies.  Click here to read the story. Click the following link for more information on Governance.

Photograph of WaterPortal Board Member Ross Douglas

Ross Douglas

Board Member

Ross has extensive executive experience in Operations, Governance, Information Technology and Strategy at the board and senior management level including Mancal Corporation, Mancal Energy, Highridge Exploration and Atlantis Resources. He has worked in Oil and Gas, Coal, Commercial Real Estate, Portfolio Management, Recreation, Retail and Water and Wastewater Treatment. His experience is also geographically diverse having overseen operations in Canada, the United States, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Additionally, he has been on the board of companies with operations in Argentina, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Kazakhstan, and Russia. He has served on numerous Public, Private and Not for Profit Boards across a number of industries.

Ross has been active on several industry Boards and committees including the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and The Schulich School of Engineering Industry Advisory Council at the Schulich School of Engineering.

Photograph of WaterPortal Board Member Brian Mergelas

Brian Mergelas, PhD, ICD.D

Board Member

Brian is a seasoned Cleantech entrepreneur with a proven history of successfully bringing complex water technologies to the market.   With over 25 years of experience, he has led various organizations to achieve significant milestones in the industry. 

Having started as the founding CEO of the Pressure Pipe Inspection Company (PPIC) and later taking the helm at the Water Technology Acceleration Project (WaterTAP), Brian’s entrepreneurial spirit has been instrumental in driving innovation and growth within the sector. 

He is an active investor in the cleantech sector and has served on many boards including the Ontario Clean Water Agency. 

Actively engaged in industry associations like AWWA, WEF, IWA, and ASCE, Brian enjoys collaborating with fellow professionals to promote advancements in the field. 

Brian holds an undergraduate degree and a PhD in Physics from Queen’s University, which has provided him with a solid technical foundation.   As a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, he brings valuable insights to corporate governance.