H2Ontario - Version 2.0 - POLIS Water Sustainability Project

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Leaders in the FieldIn addition to building on existing instruments and policies, the province can also capitalize on theleadership already being shown by different actors and sectors. For example:∞ Municipal members of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiatives have resolved to reducetheir water use by 15% by 2015.∞ Members of the CWWA and OWWA water efficiency committees are actively involved in waterconservation and many have plans to reduce water use by at least 10% within a 10 year period. 22∞ The City of Guelph is undertaking the first grey-water reuse pilot program in Ontario. Through the2009 pilot program 30 residential grey-water reuse systems will be installed in both new andexisting homes. The City's 2009 Water Conservation and Efficiency Strategy aims to install 200grey-water reuse systems and 200 rainwater harvesting cisterns in residential homes by 2019. 23∞ Conservation Authorities often have water stewardship and monitoring programs in place, and arenow engaged in drinking water source protection including the development of water budgets.∞ Agricultural sector representatives, including OMAFRA 1 and OFA 2 , are supportive of water efficientbest management practices such as water efficient irrigation and livestock watering practices. 24∞ Ontario is home to several municipal water efficiency networking organizations including theCanadian Water and Wastewater Association, the Ontario Water Works Association, and theCanadian constituent of the bi-national organization, the Alliance for Water Efficiency.∞ A growing number of water efficiency consultants and technology firms are also setting up shop inOntario. Examples include businesses that advise on municipal water conservation programming,internationally recognized experts on water efficiency standards for fixtures, and technology firmsoffering innovative rainwater harvesting, grey-water recycling, and wastewater reuse technologies.1 Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs2 Ontario Federation of AgricultureH2Ontario: A Blueprint for a Comprehensive - 10 -Water Conservation & Efficiency Strategy
A Proposed Vision for A New Water FutureGuiding this Blueprint for a Comprehensive Water Conservation and Efficiency Strategy is the vision ofa sustainable water future in Ontario. Our proposed vision is a commitment to:“No New Water Supplies”What does that mean? It means we stop the search for new supplies until maximum practicalconservation and efficiency is achieved. We commit to finding the water we need through the abundantsupply of “new water” that is being flushed down the drain. If we can find the funds to expand supply,Box II: Soft Path Core PrinciplesFour principles distinguish the soft path from conventionalplanning and management:• Treat water as a service rather than an end in itself.• Make ecological sustainability a fundamental criterion.• Match the quality of water delivered to that needed by the enduse• Plan from the future back to the present.Brandes & Brooks (2007)we can certainly find the funds toconserve. No New Water requires ashift to a comprehensive andstrategic approach to waterconservation and efficiency – a ‘softpath’ for water (refer to Box II). Itenables us to live within theecological limits of locally availablesupplies and it precludes newpipelines or diversions to distantlakes where the ecologicalconsequences cannot possibly beanticipated.A commitment to “No New Water” enables our energy use for water supply and treatment processes toremain constant, or decrease, balancing the imminent burden of rising energy costs for Ontario citizensand municipalities. It contributes to the fight against climate change, instead of exacerbating it, and itfosters resilient, adaptable communities. It ensures our watersheds provide safe drinking water,support livelihoods, and it means Ontario’s watersheds of the future will be the ideal habitat for diverseecosystems and a natural playground for our children and grandchildren.Moving to a vision of “No New Water” will unleash the potential of Ontario’s technological and socialinnovators and it will lead us to sustainable water use, in which a culture of water conservation isembedded in all that we do. This is Ontario’s water future.H2Ontario: A Blueprint for a Comprehensive - 11 -Water Conservation & Efficiency Strategy
Page 1 and 2: H 2 OntarioA BLUEPRINT FOR A COMPRE
Page 3 and 4: SIGNATORIESCANADIAN ENVIRONMENTALLA
Page 5 and 6: TABLE OF CONTENTSACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .
Page 7 and 8: Benefits of Conserving WaterWater c
Page 9: The OpportunityThe Ontario governme
Page 13 and 14: Blueprint Summary TablePriority Are
Page 15 and 16: Provide Leadership, Direction and A
Page 21 and 22: Establish a Strong Foundation of Sc
Page 23 and 24: Establish a Strong Foundation of Sc
Page 25 and 26: Create a Culture of ConservationCri
Page 27 and 28: Create a Culture of ConservationTec
Page 29 and 30: Create a Culture of ConservationAct
Page 31 and 32: Create a Culture of ConservationPri
Page 33 and 34: ENDNOTES1 Ontario Ministry of the E
Page 35: 32 Brandes, O. and D. Brooks (2007)

H2Ontario - Version 2.0 - POLIS Water Sustainability Project

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