H2Ontario - Version 2.0 - POLIS Water Sustainability Project

Create a Culture of ConservationCreate a Culture of ConservationA strong foundation of science and data will tell us where we are today. Establishing conservationtargets and plans will set the goals for where we want to be tomorrow. The following priorities andactions are designed to answer the question, how do we get from today to where we want to betomorrow? Actions outlined here emphasize the Province’s leadership role to catalyze action bycommunities, businesses, and individual citizens to embrace a culture of water conservation.Priority 7: Financial IncentivesIn order to create a culture of conservation, governments will likely have to provide incentives totransition towards sustainable water use for a period of time.Rebates and IncentivesA number of retrofit rebate and incentive programs already exist in Ontario. Expanding these existingrebate and incentive programs to include water efficiency is a practical and cost effective way toincrease purchases and retrofits of water efficient fixtures and equipment. The incremental costs ofexpanding existing programs to include water conservation and efficiency are small in comparison tothe co-benefits of reduced energy costs for municipalities, the boost to innovative water technologyindustries, and the preservation of ecosystems.Action 12: Modify and Expand Existing Rebate and Incentive ProgramsEnsure that funding and rebate programs administered by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and theOntario Power Authority recognize the water-energy nexus and include water efficiency provisions, such as:• Making water conservation measures eligible for funding and rebates in the Municipal Eco-Challengefund; the Electricity Retrofit Incentive Program and the Industrial Energy Efficiency Program.• Updating the existing 6L toilet rebate to High Efficiency (4.8 L) WaterSense approved toilets within the“Ontario Home Energy Savings” program. Also consider including efficient humidifiers and hot waterrecirculation systems.• Matching rebates offered by the Canadian ecoEnergy Retrofit for Small and Medium Organizations forretrofits in businesses that save both water and energy. Include rebates for water efficient pre-rinsespray valves for restaurants and food retailers.H2Ontario: A Blueprint for a Comprehensive - 24 -Water Conservation & Efficiency Strategy