water conservation policy in urban ontario

8/14/2019 Water Conservation Policy in Urban Ontario

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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




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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

water conservation policy in urban ontario

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