H2Ontario - Version 2.0 - POLIS Water Sustainability Project

WHY A BLUEPRINT, WHY NOW?Jurisdictions around the world are increasingly recognizing that sound water management is thefoundation for economic and community prosperity. Ontario is beginning to take notice and iscommitting to new approaches to water management, from source protection to modernizing municipalinfrastructure to improved protection of lakes, streams and rivers.The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Sustainable Water Resources Agreement, signed by Ontariowith nine other Great Lakes jurisdictions, requires each state and province in the basin to establishwater conservation goals, objectives and programs. Implementation of the recommended actions in ABlueprint for a Comprehensive Water Conservation and Efficiency Strategy would position Ontario as aregional leader on conservation.This Blueprint is being released in anticipation of the Province's Water Conservation and EfficiencyStrategy. The signatory groups are supportive of the input contained in this Blueprint and willparticipate in the Province's dialogue regarding water conservation and efficiency as it evolves.Part I provides background and context to the Blueprint, and outlines why a commitment to acomprehensive water conservation and efficiency strategy is so urgently needed. It discusses thebenefits of conserving water – including economic, energy reduction, and environmental protectionbenefits – and outlines opportunities to build on the existing foundation of water conservation policiesand practices in the province. It concludes by offering a vision for a sustainable water future for theprovince.Part II begins with a summary table of a Blueprint for a Comprehensive Water Conservation andEfficiency Strategy to achieve that vision, including priority areas, actions, and key actors needed tomake them happen. A detailed discussion of each of the elements of the Blueprint follows.H2Ontario: A Blueprint for a Comprehensive - 4 -Water Conservation & Efficiency Strategy