“Housing-enabling infrastructure” is the new term that will justify federal investments into water and wastewater systems. As we await the federal budget/fiscal update announcements (November 4th) we anticipate funds for infrastructure…in particular, water infrastructure.
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In October CWWA hosted two Lunch and Learn webinars. These webinars replace our in person Window on Ottawa, that gives an opportunity for our members to hear updates on key federal programs and initiatives. We heard from Health Canada who updated on the development of the Canadian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines – sharing guidelines scheduled for finalization or public consultation and those currently under review and development. Watch the recording.
In our second webinar, we explored HICC’s Climate Toolkit for Housing and Infrastructure– a complimentary service designed to support communities across Canada in developing resilient, low-carbon housing and infrastructure, including essential water systems that enable housing. The Climate Toolkit for Housing and infrastructure is an open-access resource that equips infrastructure owners and decision-makers with the tools, guidance, and technical support needed to make climate-informed choices that enhance resilience and advance Canada’s commitment to net-zero emissions. HICC will be presenting more on the toolkit and hosting a help desk at the National Water and Wastewater Conference in Victoria..
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Earlier this year, the federal government established the Canada Infrastructure Council and tasked them to develop a National Infrastructure Assessment that will support the Government’s housing initiatives. Reporting to the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC), this council is made up of sector experts from across Canada with specialties in many different sectors. Our water sector is best represented by Dr. Graham Gagnon of Dalhousie University who has been a longtime member of CWWA and AWWA. Council member Doug McNeil also has a background in water utilities and will be attending the National Water & Wastewater Conference in Victoria next week.
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Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly growing element of the nation’s economy. The physical infrastructure needed for AI is primarily housed in data centers, which are also used to meet the needs of other digital services. Data centers power these services by providing the processing, storage, and networking needed to run them. Business Insider estimates that 1,240 data centers were built or approved for construction by 2024, with Northern Virginia (329) and Maricopa County, Arizona (48) boasting the highest concentrations.1 These areas of historic data center growth may prove to be only the beginning as more capacity is needed moving forward.
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The University of New Brunswick is conducting a national survey to better understand how Canadian utilities are planning, managing, and adapting their water and wastewater systems. The survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete, and covers topics such as planning maturity, capacity assessments, climate change, and technology readiness. Results will help identify sector-wide needs and opportunities.
Deadline: December 21, 2025 Contact: Mike Benson, University of New Brunswick, mike.benson@unb.ca
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Water Canada
PFAS experts, industry representatives, health officials and academics gathered Tuesday, September 16 at Toronto Metropolitan University to confront one of the most pressing challenges in water management: addressing PFAS contamination.
The full-day workshop, PFAS Management in Canada, was hosted by Urban Water TMU and brought together participants from government, utilities, consulting firms, technology providers, universities and non-profits to discuss how the country can move forward on managing the persistent “forever chemicals.”
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The Government of Alberta recently published a revision to the drought and flood protection program that clarify and expand eligible organizations and some of the criteria for application. This program applies to municipalities, improvement districts, Special Areas, regional service commissions, Metis Settlements, First Nations, and tribal councils in Alberta. It is a funding program for drought and flood protection projects. Eligible applicants can receive up to 70% government funding (maximum $10 million per project) for mitigation infrastructure, water supply projects, and flood protection measures. Applicants must provide at least 30% cost-sharing and complete detailed application requirements including engineering reports and cost-benefit assessments.
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Wate Canada
The City of Toronto is proposing major updates to its Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program (BFPSP) to help residents better protect their homes from flooding during extreme weather events.
Mayor Olivia Chow announced the proposed enhancements on Tuesday, which are set to go before the Infrastructure and Environment Committee later this month and Toronto City Council in November. If approved, the changes could take effect as early as May 1, 2026.
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Water Canada
The federal and provincial governments are partnering with the Cape Breton Regional Municipality to improve critical water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure that will support new housing development in the region.
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Water Canada
Metro Vancouver has finished the tunnelling phase of the Annacis Water Supply Tunnel, a major infrastructure project designed to increase capacity for delivering high-quality drinking water to communities south of Fraser River.
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Chemical Processing
By virtue of their strong carbon-fluorine bonds, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are thermally stable, chemically resistant and persist in the environment.
While research has identified links to serious health problems, much more is needed to fully understand the role of PFAS in them.
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E&E News by Politico
The Trump administration is “pausing” more than $11 billion in water infrastructure projects to 12 Democrat-controlled states, White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought said Friday.
The Army Corps of Engineers projects in California, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Oregon, New Mexico, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Delaware and Colorado are now “under review,” according to the Office of Management and Budget. About $7 billion of the funds were set to go to New York.
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Water Canada
A new international white paper released Tuesday, October 14 by the WateReuse Association and the International Desalination and Reuse Association (IDRA) calls for stronger global collaboration to accelerate water reuse as a key solution to growing water scarcity and climate challenges.
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Water Canada
The Ontario government is providing Milton with $8.4 million through its Building Faster Fund, with the money earmarked to support infrastructure projects such as stormwater management and road rehabilitation that enable new housing development.
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Water Canada
A new international study by Kemira has revealed alarming weaknesses in water resilience and public preparedness across Europe and the United States, as extreme weather events, outdated infrastructure and contaminants continue to threaten access to clean water.
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Wetlands act as nature’s kidneys: They trap sediments, absorb excess nutrients and turn pollutants into less harmful substances. Now, the list of pollutants wetland plants can remove includes per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). From a greenhouse study, researchers in ACS’ Environmental Science & Technology report that moisture-loving yellow flag irises and fungi on their roots are a promising combination for PFAS removal. As part of a constructed wetland, this pair could effectively treat contaminated wastewater.
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MPR NEWS
A northern Minnesota tribe is suing 3M and other companies, alleging they polluted its lakes, drinking water and wildlife with "forever chemicals."
The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe filed a federal lawsuit against 3M, Dupont, Chemours and other companies that manufactured, distributed and sold PFAS chemicals, or products containing them.
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Water Canada
A new joint investment of $320 million from the federal and municipal governments will fund the essential water and wastewater infrastructure needed to support the first phase of Montreal’s Namur-Hippodrome neighbourhood redevelopment.
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Water Canada
The federal government is putting more than $38.4 million into permanent flood mitigation for the Village of Carmacks and Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation.
The project, managed by the Yukon government, will see River Drive raised and new dikes built along the Yukon River to protect critical infrastructure including the recreation complex, health centre, fire hall, police station, and municipal services building. Homes, businesses, cabins and fish camps in the area have been increasingly affected by flooding in recent years.
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ES&E Magazine
The Town of White City and the Rural Municipality of Edenwold say they have been the target of a sophisticated wastewater data system scheme that defrauded the Saskatchewan communities of nearly $700,000.
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ES&E Magazine
The City of Timmins, Ontario, has been fined $45,000 after being convicted of multiple environmental offences tied to the operation of its municipal wastewater treatment plant.
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ES&E Magazine
The Newfoundland and Labrador town of Conception Bay South had a stressful start to September when local officials feared they would run out of water before repairs could be made to a watermain break that led to a state of emergency.
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ES&E Magazine
Municipal water and wastewater employees for the City of Charlottetown, P.E.I., have been on strike for nearly two months in search of a wage increase beyond the 2% per year, which is on offer from the municipality.
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