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)

Michigan plans to charge ex-governor in Flint lead-contaminated water scandal

Flint water scandal devastated the majority Black city with lead-contaminated water

 

A windsurfer enjoys Quamichan Lake. (Cheryl Trudell file photo)

North Cowichan puts in devices to discourage deadly blue-green algae in Quamichan Lake

Concerns were raised during a blue-green algae bloom in the summer of 2016 that killed several dogs

  • Oct 8, 2020

 

Water Woman pitching in to keep the Cowichan River safe. (Photo by Gord Iversen, 2014)

Honouring the Cowichan River part 3: Be Safe

Our rivers rely on adequate water flows to dilute pollutants

  • Sep 13, 2020

 

Swimmers take a leap into the Cowichan River. (Submitted)

Honouring the Cowichan River: Be Calm

We need to value and treat our environment — the plants, land and waters — as part of our health system.

  • Sep 6, 2020
Swimmers take a leap into the Cowichan River. (Submitted)
Children help collect fry from Cowichan River tributaries. (submitted)

Honouring the Cowichan River: Be Kind

This is the first in a three-part collaborative series

  • Aug 24, 2020
Children help collect fry from Cowichan River tributaries. (submitted)
(pxhere.com)

B.C. paramedics urge caution as summer drowning incidents on the rise in 2020

On average, 67 per cent of B.C.’s water-related deaths occur during June, July and August

(pxhere.com)
Pumping over the weir in Cowichan Lake will not be required this summer. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)

Editorial: 2020 respite doesn’t mean we can take water for granted

It’s not something we can take as a sign of things to come

  • Aug 20, 2020
Pumping over the weir in Cowichan Lake will not be required this summer. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)
The pumps at the weir on Cowichan Lake won’t have to be used this year due to the wetter than usual conditions. (File photo)

Pumps not needed on the Cowichan River this year

Wet year so far has resulted in higher water levels

The pumps at the weir on Cowichan Lake won’t have to be used this year due to the wetter than usual conditions. (File photo)
Residents enjoy water activities at Saratoga beach near Campbell River. Lifesaving Society, a non-profit that aims to reduce water-related deaths urges citizens to be cautious and mindful of safety measures. Photo by Binny Paul/Campbell River Mirror

With 18 drowning deaths in B.C this year, advocates urge caution during summer

The age group with the highest risk of drowning are young adults, mostly males between 20-34 according to Lifesaving Society

Residents enjoy water activities at Saratoga beach near Campbell River. Lifesaving Society, a non-profit that aims to reduce water-related deaths urges citizens to be cautious and mindful of safety measures. Photo by Binny Paul/Campbell River Mirror
The Cowichan Watershed Board said in its annual report that 2019 was a year of “firsts”, including having to pump water over the Cowichan Lake weir for the first time due to low water levels. (File photo)

2019 a year of unwelcome firsts: Cowichan Watershed Board report

Cowichan Watershed Board concludes urgent issues will continue

The Cowichan Watershed Board said in its annual report that 2019 was a year of “firsts”, including having to pump water over the Cowichan Lake weir for the first time due to low water levels. (File photo)
A contract has been awarded to begin design and engineering work for a new weir at Cowichan Lake. (Citizen file)

Work begins on new weir for Cowichan Lake

A contract has been awarded to Stantec Engineering Services to do designs, engineering and studies

A contract has been awarded to begin design and engineering work for a new weir at Cowichan Lake. (Citizen file)
Editorial: It’s never too early to think about water conservation

Editorial: It’s never too early to think about water conservation

The weir at Cowichan Lake resumed operations for 2020 on March 18.

  • Apr 2, 2020
Editorial: It’s never too early to think about water conservation
Water had to pumped over the weir at Cowichan lake for the first time last year due drought conditions. (File photo)

Weir in Cowichan Lake begins operations early this year

Water shortages feared again in 2020

Water had to pumped over the weir at Cowichan lake for the first time last year due drought conditions. (File photo)
Town of Lake Cowichan Mayor Rod Peters said development in town is continuing, but services need to be upgraded to keep up. (Warren Goulding/Gazette)

Mayor says new weir in the planning stages, lots of work to be done in Lake Cowichan

“Unfortunately the infrastructure is not keeping up”

Town of Lake Cowichan Mayor Rod Peters said development in town is continuing, but services need to be upgraded to keep up. (Warren Goulding/Gazette)
Residents are hoping boil water advisories will become a thing of the past once the new water treatment plant is up and running. (Gazette file)

Lake Cowichan mayor cautious but not optimistic about water treatment plan completion

New system may be fully functional as of March 15

Residents are hoping boil water advisories will become a thing of the past once the new water treatment plant is up and running. (Gazette file)
Doug Donaldson, B.C.’s Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (left), and Cowichan Tribes Chief William Seymour sign an interim agreement on Feb. 7 for a new partnership between the First Nation and the province to help ensure long-term water sustainability in the Koksilah watershed. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Cowichan Tribes, province sign agreement to develop plan for Koksilah watershed

Droughts, flooding becoming common in watershed

Doug Donaldson, B.C.’s Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (left), and Cowichan Tribes Chief William Seymour sign an interim agreement on Feb. 7 for a new partnership between the First Nation and the province to help ensure long-term water sustainability in the Koksilah watershed. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Wet weather in the region in recent weeks has seen water in Cowichan Lake approaching high levels for this time of year. Water had to pumped from the lake over the weir into Cowichan River late last summer for the first time due to extremely dry conditions. (File photo)

Water levels in Cowichan Lake high after recent wet weather

Snow pack in local mountains also looking good

Wet weather in the region in recent weeks has seen water in Cowichan Lake approaching high levels for this time of year. Water had to pumped from the lake over the weir into Cowichan River late last summer for the first time due to extremely dry conditions. (File photo)
Some streams are approaching critical flow levels, due to dropping water levels and a period of warm weather. (Peninsula News Review File)

Province calls on Islanders to conserve water immediately

Some streams approaching critical levels, threatening salmon and fish

Some streams are approaching critical flow levels, due to dropping water levels and a period of warm weather. (Peninsula News Review File)