Water

The Elkview SRF filters water underground in a back filled pit at Teck’s Elkview Operations. Pictured: Dean Runzer of Teck looking at the monitoring hardware that allows company workers to ensure the facility is working as designed as water filters through the rock fill, 150 metres below ground. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

Teck releases water treatment update for Elk River catchments

The company is adding capacity to its selenium and nitrate filtering infrastructure

 

Rafters in the 26th Canyon Raft Company race on June 22, 2022, heading for the finish line at the West Fernie Bridge. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

‘So much community spirit’ at the 26th Canyon Raft Company race in Fernie

About 160 people particpated in the race, with raised funds going to the Elk River Alliance

 

2018 Fernie Raft Race winners, the ERA Streamkeepers. (Phil McLachlan/The Free Press)

‘Big fun’: Canyon Raft Company’s raft race coming up on June 22

Money raised from the race will go towards the Elk River Alliance

 

A man’s body was recovered from Long Lake after he was reported missing over the weekend. (Black Press Media file photo)

Man’s body recovered from Nanaimo lake after apparent drowning

Victim went for a swim Sunday, searchers found body Monday

A man’s body was recovered from Long Lake after he was reported missing over the weekend. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Galloway Lands proposed residential development map. (Image from gallowaylands.com)

Galloways Lands development can be hooked up to resort’s wastewater: Developer

The developer says they have solutions to two issues of contention raised by the Regional District

The Galloway Lands proposed residential development map. (Image from gallowaylands.com)
The Elk River Alliance held a webinar on Jan. 27, 2022, to discuss 2020 results of their watershed monitoring program.

Elk River Alliance presents 2020 watershed monitoring results, says sites overall ‘looking pretty good’

The Elk River Alliance held a webiner and community forum on Jan. 27

The Elk River Alliance held a webinar on Jan. 27, 2022, to discuss 2020 results of their watershed monitoring program.
The Regional District of East Kootenay Planning & Development Services Committee held a meeting on Jan. 13, 2022 to consider recommending the introduction of the Galloway Lands development proposal zoning and Official Community Plan amendment application for for first and second reading. Board members voted in favour of recommending the introduction, nine in favour and five opposed.

Galloway Lands development proposal clears major bureaucratic hurdle

The Regional District of East Kootenay held a planning committee meeting on Jan. 13 to consider the application

The Regional District of East Kootenay Planning & Development Services Committee held a meeting on Jan. 13, 2022 to consider recommending the introduction of the Galloway Lands development proposal zoning and Official Community Plan amendment application for for first and second reading. Board members voted in favour of recommending the introduction, nine in favour and five opposed.
Stella Swanson, director for the Elk River Alliance, presents in front of a group of attendees at the Elk River Watershed Collaborative Monitoring Program inaugural forum at the Senior Citizens Drop-in Centre on Dec. 3, 2021. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

Elk River Alliance spearheads program to collaborate on watershed monitoring

Interested parties gathered to discuss working together to monitor Elk River health

Stella Swanson, director for the Elk River Alliance, presents in front of a group of attendees at the Elk River Watershed Collaborative Monitoring Program inaugural forum at the Senior Citizens Drop-in Centre on Dec. 3, 2021. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)
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

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
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)
Water treated at the Elkview SRF sits in a retention pond and monitored for 24 hours to check the facility is operating as designed. Pictured: Elkview SRF pond at Teck Elkview Operations, Sparwood, BC. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

Teck spends up big to filter the Elk Valley’s water

The company will be switching on its latest water treatment plant soon

  • Aug 18, 2021
Water treated at the Elkview SRF sits in a retention pond and monitored for 24 hours to check the facility is operating as designed. Pictured: Elkview SRF pond at Teck Elkview Operations, Sparwood, BC. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
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 Elk River Regional Land Trust seeks to safeguard forests around Fernie and beyond. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

Fernie switches water source, introduced water restrictions

High season water levels mean Fairy Creek water has too much turbidity

The Elk River Regional Land Trust seeks to safeguard forests around Fernie and beyond. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
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
A fire in Spardell Mobile Home Park completely destroyed a home, leaving two residents homeless. (Contributed)

Faulty hydrants hamper fire rescue in Spardell

Two fire hydrants within the mobile home park did not work

A fire in Spardell Mobile Home Park completely destroyed a home, leaving two residents homeless. (Contributed)
The Elk River Alliance is calling for increased action as a result of declining westslope cutthroat trout populations in the Elk River.

ERA gets provincial funding for monitoring project

$28,400 has been earmarked for the ERA as part of a $27-million program to support environmental groups

The Elk River Alliance is calling for increased action as a result of declining westslope cutthroat trout populations in the Elk River.
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)
The Elk River. (Phil Maclachlan photo)

Teck begins commissioning Elkview water treatment expansion

The expansion doubles the capacity of the facility, which filters selenium and nitrate

The Elk River. (Phil Maclachlan photo)
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)