Latest news with #waterquality
CTV News
9 hours ago
- Health
- CTV News
Water quality advisory issued for Trestle Creek Golf Resort Beach
Alberta Health Services (AHS) has issued a water quality advisory for Trestle Creek Golf Resort Beach due to high levels of fecal bacteria. At current levels, gastrointestinal illness may result from consuming the water. There is also a possibility of skin, ear and eye infection if exposed to the water. People are advised not to swim or wade at the beach area. The Trestle Creek Golf Resort is approximately 92 kilometres west of Edmonton.
The Independent
a day ago
- Business
- The Independent
Pollution fines of more than £100m will go to environmental projects, Defra says
Pollution fines of more than £100 million will go to environmental projects, the Government has confirmed after concerns it would backtrack on a pledge first made by the Tories. The Environment Department (Defra) said more than £100 million in fines and penalties levied on water firms for breaches such as illegal sewage spills since October 2023 – as well as future fines – will be reinvested in projects to clean up England's waters. These could include local programmes to address pollution and improve water quality. The announcement comes as the Government attempts to grapple with the problems engulfing the water sector in the face of high public anger over the degraded and polluted state of rivers, lakes and coasts, rising bills, bosses' bonuses and shareholder payouts. The promise to reinvest money from fines into work to improve the environment was first made by the Conservative government in 2022, with local groups, farmers, communities and landowners invited last year to bid for an £11 million ringfenced pot of penalties levied since April 2022. There were reports that, after the election, the Treasury was seeking to divert the money elsewhere, but Defra has confirmed a huge pot of cash for environmental projects as part of its efforts to sort out the water sector's pollution problems. The Government has also pointed to the 'record' 81 criminal investigations that have been launched into water companies since it came to power and prison time for bosses who cover up illegal sewage spills and an independent review launched into the sector. And troubled utility Thames Water was handed a record fine of £123 million in May, including £104.5 million for breaking rules over sewage treatment which contributes to the pot that will be spent on environmental projects. Environment Secretary Steve Reed said: 'We inherited a broken water system with record levels of sewage being pumped into waters. 'But the era of profiting from failure is over,' he said. 'This Government will invest money collected through fines into local projects to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good.' Environmental charity River Action's chief executive James Wallace said: 'Ringfencing water company fines for river restoration is a welcome move – but it's hardly new. 'The previous government pledged this in 2022, only for the new Chancellor to backtrack, prioritising growth over nature. 'If this Government is serious about making polluters pay, it must give the Department for Environment all the funding and powers it needs to enforce the law.' He called for Thames Water to be put into a Special Administration Regime, and raised concerns whether, with a 3% cut in Defra's core budget in last week's spending review, the Environment Agency would be in a position to keep tabs on pollution and enforce the law. 'Regulators need boots on the ground, legal resources and access to courts, backed by consistent funding and most importantly, political will,' he urged. The Government has also announced new 'sustainable drainage systems' standards to give developers clearer guidance on creating systems to collect and filter rainwater that mimic nature, like green roofs, permeable surfaces and areas to allow water to soak away without causing flooding. These measures can help relieve pressure on the sewage system and prevent pollution overflowing into waterways, officials said. Water minister Emma Hardy said: 'The Government will introduce new standards to tackle water pollution, protect communities from flooding and make our new towns beautiful.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Pollution fines of more than £100m will go to environmental projects, Defra says
Pollution fines of more than £100 million will go to environmental projects, the Government has confirmed after concerns it would backtrack on a pledge first made by the Tories. The Environment Department (Defra) said more than £100 million in fines and penalties levied on water firms for breaches such as illegal sewage spills since October 2023 – as well as future fines – will be reinvested in projects to clean up England's waters. These could include local programmes to address pollution and improve water quality. The announcement comes as the Government attempts to grapple with the problems engulfing the water sector in the face of high public anger over the degraded and polluted state of rivers, lakes and coasts, rising bills, bosses' bonuses and shareholder payouts. The promise to reinvest money from fines into work to improve the environment was first made by the Conservative government in 2022, with local groups, farmers, communities and landowners invited last year to bid for an £11 million ringfenced pot of penalties levied since April 2022. There were reports that, after the election, the Treasury was seeking to divert the money elsewhere, but Defra has confirmed a huge pot of cash for environmental projects as part of its efforts to sort out the water sector's pollution problems. The Government has also pointed to the 'record' 81 criminal investigations that have been launched into water companies since it came to power and prison time for bosses who cover up illegal sewage spills and an independent review launched into the sector. And troubled utility Thames Water was handed a record fine of £123 million in May, including £104.5 million for breaking rules over sewage treatment which contributes to the pot that will be spent on environmental projects. Environment Secretary Steve Reed said: 'We inherited a broken water system with record levels of sewage being pumped into waters. 'But the era of profiting from failure is over,' he said. 'This Government will invest money collected through fines into local projects to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good.' Environmental charity River Action's chief executive James Wallace said: 'Ringfencing water company fines for river restoration is a welcome move – but it's hardly new. 'The previous government pledged this in 2022, only for the new Chancellor to backtrack, prioritising growth over nature. 'If this Government is serious about making polluters pay, it must give the Department for Environment all the funding and powers it needs to enforce the law.' He called for Thames Water to be put into a Special Administration Regime, and raised concerns whether, with a 3% cut in Defra's core budget in last week's spending review, the Environment Agency would be in a position to keep tabs on pollution and enforce the law. 'Regulators need boots on the ground, legal resources and access to courts, backed by consistent funding and most importantly, political will,' he urged. The Government has also announced new 'sustainable drainage systems' standards to give developers clearer guidance on creating systems to collect and filter rainwater that mimic nature, like green roofs, permeable surfaces and areas to allow water to soak away without causing flooding. These measures can help relieve pressure on the sewage system and prevent pollution overflowing into waterways, officials said. Water minister Emma Hardy said: 'The Government will introduce new standards to tackle water pollution, protect communities from flooding and make our new towns beautiful.'
CTV News
2 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Nova Scotia prepares for blue-green algae as the summer season begins
Blue algae blooms are making their presence known in the Maritimes as summer approaches. It may not have been beach weather in the Halifax area Wednesday, but as the summer approaches it won't be long until beaches are full. 'Around this time of year, we're working with our colleagues in recreation, making sure all of our protocols are up to date, and that any changes that need to be made have been approved,' said Halifax Regional Municipality Environment Manager Emma Wattie. Supervised beaches in Halifax officially open for the season July 1, which is when water quality testing begins. 'Bacteria likes it warm. They like it sunny, much like us, but they want more shallow water typically,' said Wattie. Both the Nova Scotia and New Brunswick governments are warning about the risk of blue-green algae as temperatures rise. It can look like fine grass clippings in the water, spilled paint, pea soup or sometimes like a thick scum on the surface. Consuming or swimming in water with blue-green algae can cause skin, eye and throat irritation in humans but it can be much worse for dogs. 'These toxins are extremely potent, so even a small volume can be lethal,' said Dr. Dan Maguire, a veterinarian at PetFocus Veterinary Hospital Bedford South. Maguire said if you think your pet may have consumed contaminated water, you should get them treatment right away. 'This can be harmful to both the liver and the nervous system,' he said. 'Symptoms can appear from minutes to hours, and we're looking for things like vomiting, diarrhea, weakness.' Wattie said blue-green algae is happening more frequently and in larger blooms but there wasn't any more in the Halifax area last year than in year's past. 'When a beach or a lake has a blue-green algae bloom, it's more likely for that bloom to come back year to year, so we are seeing it in areas like Cunard Pond, and Birch Cove, and Lake Banook,' she said. There are other water issues to be on the lookout for this summer. 'We test for enterococci in the saltwater and E. coli in freshwater,' said Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service Director Paul D'Eon. The service monitors provincial beaches. 'If we get poor results, we implement a closure and do re-testing,' D'Eon said. If someone does come across blue-green algae in Halifax Regional Municipality, they should contact 311. Sightings at Nova Scotia beaches can be reported by calling 1-877-936-8576. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CBS News
2 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Lake Bluff, Illinois residents urged to boil their water until further notice
The village of Lake Bluff in Chicago's northern suburbs is under a boil order, after a loss of pressure in its water system. Village officials said all water customers are being advised to boil their water for drinking and cooking purposes until further notice. The boil order does not apply to people living in the Sanctuary Subdivision. Anyone with questions about the boil order can call Public Works Superintendent Jake Terlap at 847-735- 2310 or Assistant to the Village Administrator Clara Gable at 847-283-6889.
