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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Compare and contrast: Study combines woodchips and biochar to clean water of pharmaceuticals, nutrients

Compare and contrast: Study combines woodchips and biochar to clean water of pharmaceuticals, nutrients

Science Daily


In a new study, researchers show how a simple system using woodchips and a bit of glorified sawdust — designer biochar — can dramatically reduce nitrogen, phosphorus, and multiple common drugs in wastewater.   Click here to read the story.

Compare and contrast: The 2022 European drought: What was the role of climate change?

Compare and contrast: The 2022 European drought: What was the role of climate change?

Science Daily


A research team has now discovered that more than 30 percent of the extraordinary intensity and physical extent of the drought can be attributed to human-induced climate change. This extreme event was exacerbated by the fact that climate change had already caused soil moisture levels to drop continuously over the previous years.   Click here to read the story.   Click the following link for more information on Climate and Severe Weather.

UK rivers contain ‘cocktail of chemicals and stimulants’ endangering aquatic life

UK rivers contain ‘cocktail of chemicals and stimulants’ endangering aquatic life

The Guardian

 

The UK’s rivers contain a cocktail of chemicals and stimulants including caffeine, antidepressants and painkillers from water company sewage releases, polluting freshwaters at levels which can pose a risk to aquatic life, testing has found.   Click here to read the story.

ALUS receives grant from Coca-Cola to support watershed health in communities across Canada

ALUS receives grant from Coca-Cola to support watershed health in communities across Canada

Water Canada

 

ALUS, a charitable organization supporting nature-based solutions in local communities, has announced a $162,500 grant from The Coca-Cola Company in Canada to bolster community-based efforts around nature-based solutions for water in the regions in which the company operates. This funding is critical to helping farmers and ranchers carry out projects to improve watershed health, supporting Canadian water systems.   Click here to read the story.

Compare and contrast: Australia to toughen rules around acceptable levels of key PFAS chemicals in drinking water under draft guidelines

Compare and contrast: Australia to toughen rules around acceptable levels of key PFAS chemicals in drinking water under draft guidelines

The Guardian


Australia could toughen the rules regarding the acceptable levels of key PFAS chemicals in drinking water, lowering the amount of so-called forever chemicals allowed per litre.  Click here to read the story.

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.