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Water Conservation
Policy in Urban Ontario
Water Conservation
Policy in Urban OntarioTim, Chris, Christine & AmandaTim, Chris, Christine & Amanda
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A Resource taken forGranted
The UN environmental report GEO 2000claims that the water shortage constitutes a
full-scale emergency, where the worldcycle seems unlikely to be able to cope withthe demands that will be made of it in the
coming decades. Severe water shortagesalready hamper development in many partsof the world, and the situation is
deteriorating.
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Fresh Water
Water is a key component of Canadas economy and the livelihood ofthe environment
Canada ranked 129 of 143 countries in a water use index measuringdomestic water use efficiency
40% of Canadas freshwater is available to ~ 85-90% of the Canadianpopulation (80% urban)
60% drain to the north
Water conservation is the most cost effective and environmentallysound way to reduce our demand for fresh water
Water conservation: the preservation and careful management ofwater resources
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Issue Justification
Water restrictions are
unpalatable to Ontarians and weare stuck in our old assumptionsof abundant water, and cannot
bring ourselves to impose water
restrictions, even whenrestrictions are clearly needed.(Gordon Miller, Ontario Environmental Commissioner)
Dried out stream in Ontario
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Issue Justification(CONT)
Without effective urban water conservation strategies, townand city water use patterns are problematic:
1. Water shortages and groundwater drawdown
2.Effects on the natural capacity of rivers and lakes to deal withpollutants
3.Strain on water and water infrastructure and services
4.Aging water and wastewater infrastructure
5.Precautionary Principle
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Environmental Impacts:Benefits
1. Sustaining our supply
Protecting our futurewater supply
Protecting ecosystemand habitat
1. Sustaining our waterquality
2. Energy savings
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Policy Directions
There are two possible policy directions:
1. Environment Conservation for environmental
purposes
2. Economical
Reducing pressure on water services
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Regulatory Instruments
There are many different policy toolsthat could be used in waterconservation
Regulatory instruments By-laws
Limitations
Tough Love
Sometimes market-based or regulatorystrategies just not that effective
Focus: Limitations
Case: City of Kamloops
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Market-Based Strategies
Its human nature
We need an incentive
Money is very influential
Main Tool: Pricing Nothing is free
Flat rate
Standard consistent rate, based off estimations ofconsumption and cost of providing the service
Easy to implement, but provides no incentive for users toconserve
Ex. Peterborough Utilities Corporation
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Market-Based Strategies(Cont)
Volumetric
Price charged per unit of water consumed
Requires metering, which can be expensive
Provides an incentive to water users
Other incentives
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Pricing Schemes
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Comparing PricingStrategies
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Assessing Water PricingBenefits
Provides an incentive
Revenue generating
Often for government
Spurs conservation Economics can be effective!
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Assessing Water PricingDrawbacks
Increase costs
Utility regulations
Utility companiesoften can not gainprofit over watersupply
Difficult to implement
Metering
How to price it use ofeconomics
Not too high, not to low
Use of Economics Boo! Economics is scary
Money aint green...
Ethics
Can we put a price onwater?
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Voluntary Instruments
Voluntary Conservation? Does it work?
Public Education and Outreach: Looking atGuelph
Websites, workshops, seminars, water efficientdemonstration gardens>>> informing thecommunity about the current incentives and
funding that is available to them. Youth Education: the age group of 13-19 years
is the highest user of water relative to otherage groups
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Stakeholders
General Public
Residences
Corporations / Industry
Government
Federal
Provincial
Municipal
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General Public
52% of water in municipal sector is used forresidential or domestic purposes
Daily water activities include toilet flushing,
showering and lawn watering = 65% of water use
Approximately 2/3 of urban water use in the US isattributable to in-house use, and most of that isutilized by toilets (36%), bath and shower (28%), and
the washing machine (20%) Low economic value (where is the conversation
ethic?)
Supply side management = public is not as involved
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Water Uses per Day
Toilets 81L/day 30%
Faucets 55L/day 21%
Clothes washer 47L/day 18% Shower 45L/day 17%
Bath 4.4L/day 1.7%
Dishwasher2.8L/day 1.1%
Unknown 5.5L/day 2.1%
Leakage 20L/day 7.8%
Th A d Wh d
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The Agenda: Where doWe Go From Here?
Water efficient technology and its glory
Ultra low flow toilets use 6 litres of water
versus 13
Public involvement will be higher if thereis a compelling motivation to protect the
natural environment while saving moneyat the same time. Ok, but how?
Demand side management
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Looking at California
California Urban Water ConservationCouncil and Best Management Practices
C t / I d t
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Largest users of fresh water supplies in Canada
Thermal power generation - 64%
Ex. Nuclear, coal, waste-incineration
private and government-owned corporations
Manufacturing 14%
Ex. Intel computer chip - 75L; Toyota Corolla - 3000L
Commercial businesses - 24%, but 20% of municipal water
Municipal - industrial - 1.9%, but 16% of municipal; water
The Private Sector is a BIG player!
Corporate / IndustryUsers
C i l / I d t
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Commercial / IndustryInterests & Influence
The financial bottom line
The triple bottom-line?
Economic crises?
Quality Products
Keeping the customer happy
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Environmental Management Strategies (EMS)
Major employers Often have massive government lobbies
Business as usual...
Is this changing?
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Government
Different Roles of the Government
Federal
Federal Responsibilities (DFO, Environment Canada)
Acts / legislation to help protect water & programs
Provincial
MOE (Ministry of the Environment), MNR (Ministry of NaturalResources), OMAF (Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Foods) &Ontario Power Generation
Acts / legislation
Municipal Water supply, drinking water and pricing
Conservation authorities
Resource users, stewardship organizations & NGOs
Cit f T t d
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City of Toronto comparedto City of Guelph
Toronto Guelph
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City of Toronto
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P j t d D d ith
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Projected Demands withand with OBC
2011 Demands
(without OBC)
2011 Demands
(with OBC)
Difference
between
without and
with OBC
Peak Day 2,245 ML/d 2,183 ML/d 62 ML/d
Average Annual
Day
1,141 ML/d 1,349 ML/d 208 ML/d
Wastewater
Flows
988 ML/d 926 ML/d 62 ML/d
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Sector-Specific Measures
Municipal
System leak detection
Computer controlledirrigation
Watering restrictions
Multi-unit residential
Toilet Replacement (public& private housing)
Clothes washers
Outdoor water audits
Single-family residential
Toilet replacement
Clothes washers
Outdoor water audits
ICI
Toilet replacement
Clothes washers Outdoor & indoor water
audits
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City of Guelph
Background and
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Background andObjectives
Population growth and increased industrial activities have lead to a greaterdemand on Guelphs Aquifer
The Guelph developed the Water Conservation and Efficiency Study whichrecommended to reclaim critical groundwater resources, to limited the impacts of
peak seasonal water demands and to meet the needs of the communitystakeholders.
The Master plan (Water Supply Master Plan) identified sustainable growthpotential in the city reliance upon the success of aggressive water conservation andefficiency programs.
Water use reduction targets identified through the Master Plan process includes:
Reduction of 10% average daily water consumption by 2010
Reduction of 15% average daily water consumption by 2015
Reduction of 20% average daily water consumption by 2025
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Programs
Royal Flush Toilet Replacement
Smart Wash Rebate Program
Water efficiency pack from the city
Water Leaks/Repairs
Outdoor Water Use Program
Education is the most important thing
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Case StudiesCase StudiesNibiton, Ontario Aquaton,
Ontario
Nibiton, Ontario Aquaton,Ontario
Background to Nibiton&
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Background to Nibiton&Aquaton
Nibiton
Population: 1,000,000
Gets water from: Large lake south
in front of them Situation faced with: slowly
degrading water infrastructurewhich subsequently restrainsdemands
Can they withstand the demand?
Policy direction: economic
Aquaton
Population: 115,000
Gets water from: aquifer
Situation faced with: massivewithdrawals have lead to problemswith over consumption, worriedabout the future of there water
Will there be enough?
Policy direction: environmental
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Policy Tools Recall
Regulatory
Limitation
By-Laws
Market-Based
Pricing
Subsidies
Incentives through rebates and tax credits
Voluntary
Educational campaigns
Websites
Seminars
Challenges &
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Challenges &Opportunities
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Final Thoughts
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THE ENDTHE END