Priorities for Water Management in Canada

A new report, issued by Canadian Water Network's (CWN) Canadian Municipal Water Consortium, leads the national discussion on what municipalities need, want and can address in order to collectively move forward as sustainable water communities

In Canada, water touches every facet of our lives — connecting our economy, our ecosystems and the health of our communities. Addressing each of these areas through a "water lens" can lead to integrated approaches that can achieve more sustainable and resilient communities.

"Canada has the potential to be a global leader in water management, and that includes drinking water, wastewater, stormwater and urban watersheds," says Bernadette Conant, Chief Executive Officer of CWN. "The 2015 Canadian Municipal Water Priorities report highlights advancements in municipal water management in Canada, and provides insights into the most effective paths forward. Our hope is that the Consortium will help water managers be better equipped to anticipate, respond and adapt to emerging challenges and trends, and ultimately make better-informed decisions on priorities and investments."

Building off the inaugural 2014 Canadian Municipal Water Priorities report that set the stage for the national water priorities, this second annual Priorities Report delves deeper into water management solutions and how the Canadian Municipal Water Consortium is moving the needle within the following four priority areas:

• Integrated Risk Management — Assessing frameworks to support Integrated Risk Management, including the full breadth of drivers affecting municipal water.
• Full Cost Recovery and Financing — Assessing the state of knowledge and practice for full cost recovery and financing for water systems.
• Wastewater Resource Recovery and Beneficial Use of Biosolids — Identifying the possibilities and implications of wastewater resource recovery and beneficial use of biosolids.
• Resiliency to Storms and Extreme Weather — Determining what is practical and achievable in making municipal water systems more resilient to storms and extreme weather.

The Canadian Municipal Water Consortium, launched in 2009, has worked closely with municipalities, industry, government and research teams to drive progress on municipal water management challenges. The Consortium Leadership Group was formed in 2014 to discuss and tackle key issues and define national water management priorities. To date, the group consists of 13 municipalities and utilities across Canada, spanning from Victoria toHalifax. In addition to the CLG, the Consortium is now offering a membership program for municipalities, utilities, industry, government, NGOs and academic institutions to address key challenges in municipal water management inCanada.

Since 2001, CWN has brought together more than 180 partners, including industry, government, municipalities and non-governmental organizations on projects. Among the 140 projects that CWN has funded, over half have resulted in direct value to municipalities.

Source: CNW

Media

Taxonomy

• Sustainability
• Water Management
• Governance & Planning