Note to Reader:

Most Canadians take water for granted. We think we have lots of it and it will always be there. So in 2008, RBC started polling Canadians about their attitudes towards water—to see if the serious water issues around the world were having an impact on how Canadians use and think about water, and tracking whether attitudes are changing.

Since 2008, RBC has made the poll results freely available to NGOs and other interested parties. RBC has encouraged the broad dissemination of the data and its findings because RBC wants to help contribute to a healthy conversation about the value and vulnerability of water in Canada.

Click on  2013 RBC Canadian Water Attitudes Study to download a copy of the survey and learn more about the findings.

Just one drop per second wastes 25 litres a day of clean, fresh water

While most Canadians (75 per cent) would fix an internet outage within a few hours or a day, and two-thirds (64 per cent) would repair a TV reception problem that quickly, only half (52 per cent) would fix a leaky faucet within the same timeframe. Further, one-third of Canadians (33 per cent) would take up to a week or more to stop the drip, according to the sixth annual 2013 RBC Canadian Water Attitudes Study, commissioned by the RBC Blue Water Project and administered by GlobeScan.

“With just days to go until World Water Day on March 22, we’d like Canadians to think about the value of clean, fresh water,” says Bob Sandford, chair of Canadian Partnership Initiative of the UN Water for Life Decade. “To continue enjoying the quality of drinking water we all want and need, Canadians must understand that it’s a finite resource.”

According to the study, Canadians ages 18 to 34 are least likely to repair the leaky faucet within a few hours or a day (45 per cent) and Canadians aged 55 and older are the most likely to fix the drip quickly (65 per cent).

“A dripping faucet might not seem like a big deal, but it takes a lot of energy for municipalities to clean, treat and deliver water to most Canadian households. When you waste water, you’re also wasting the costly energy it took to get that water to you, and that has an impact on the bottom line,” says Sandford.

Of the 81 per cent of Canadians that rely on municipal water services, most don’t have a sense of what they are paying for water.  Only 40 per cent are charged for the amount of water they use. The rest either don’t know how they are charged for water (10 per cent), pay a fixed amount regardless of how much they use (18 per cent), or say their costs are built into their rent or condo fees (33 per cent).  Two-thirds (65 per cent) say they do not have a water meter at their residence.

Younger Canadians feel most guilty about negative behavior – yet do it anyway

Canadians ages 18 to 34 are much more likely to feel guilty about their own negative impact on the environment (45 per cent) than 35 to 55 year olds (28 per cent) or Canadians aged 55+ (19 per cent). Yet, despite this guilt, Canadians ages 18 to 34 are least likely, among all Canadians to:

• Avoid watering the lawn in the summer (44 per cent versus 51 per cent and 54 per cent, respectively, for 35 to 55 year olds and those age 55 and older)
• Shower for no more than five minutes on any given day (23 per cent versus 41 per cent and 64 per cent, respectively, for 35 to 55 year olds and those age 55 and older)
• Pay attention to news and other information about fresh water issues (33 per cent versus 35 per cent and 47 per cent, respectively, for 35 to 55 year olds and those age 55 and older)-

According to the study, young Canadians are far more likely to admit to treating themselves to an extra-long shower when they ‘want to relieve stress or get away from it all’ (37 per cent versus 18 per cent and 10 per cent, respectively, for 35 to 55 year olds and 55+).

Highlights of the 2013 Study

In March 2013, RBC hosted a webinar discussion and shared insights from the 6th annual survey on Canadian attitudes toward water. Bob Sandford and Chris Coulter (President of GlobeScan) presented the findings and implications from this quantitative survey of 2,000 Canadians, the most comprehensive of its kind in the world.

Click on Review a recording of the full webinar to view the co-presentation by Bob Sandford and Chris Coulter. To download their PowerPoint slides, click here.

Canada’s Most Important Natural Resource

Forty-seven per cent believe fresh water is Canada’s most important natural resource, down from 55 per cent in 2012.

Sixteen per cent say agricultural land is most important.

Fifteen per cent believe oil is Canada’s most important, except in Alberta, where 41 per cent thought oil was most important.

Water Conservation Behaviours

Sixty-nine per cent of Canadians are trying reasonably hard to conserve water, slightly down from 71 per cent in 2012.

One-in-10 Canadians use an automated sprinkler system.

Thirty per cent of Canadian homeowners use rain barrels or other devices to collect rainwater runoff.

Kiskatinaw River scenery

City establishes provincial precedent by formalizing the role of a Watershed Steward

With passage of the British Columbia Drinking Water Protection Act in 2001, drinking water purveyors across the province have been subject to a requirement for a Water System Assessment leading to a Source Water Protection Plan (SWPP). 

“Through creation of a formal and ongoing Watershed Steward position and program in 2008, the City of Dawson Creek has given considerable impetus to SWPP implementation,” reports Reg Whiten. He is the City’s Watershed Steward and is overseeing development and implementation of the City’s Water Stewardship Program. Dawson Creek is situated in the northeast region of BC.

“Through effective engagement of watershed stakeholders, the City anticipates that it will soon be well-positioned to develop a model of watershed governance – one that is tied to an effective hydrological monitoring system for improved decision-making for both water and land-use management.”

“Our experience may be of value to other communities – both urban, rural and First Nations – around the province that have yet to prepare an SWPP, and may also have water sources with varied and expanding land-use and resource development features.”

To Learn More:

To read the complete story posted on the Convening for Action community-of-interest about the City’s Water Stewardship Program, click on Dawson Creek and its Quest for Sustainable and Integrated Water Stewardship. This year the City was nominated for the first-ever Council of the Federation Award for Excellence in Water Stewardship for BC.

Installing water quality probes

Water Sensitive Design: Integrating Water with Urban Planning

Successive years of flooding and some of the worst droughts in recorded history – which have not only threatened the health and wellbeing of the population but very nearly brought industry grinding to a halt – have prompted the Australian government to think differently about water.

The result has been a huge shift in mindset that has seen Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) enshrined in planning and policy responses to climate change, and an acceptance that tackling flooding and drought doesn’t have to be in isolation to creating liveable cities.

WSUD in the United Kingdom

“A new report, Water Sensitive Urban Design in the UK, reinterprets the WSUD concept for the UK and its conclusions might best be summed up simply as: for too long, we have been designing water out of our cities when we should have been designing it in,” writes Jonathan Nettler, Managing Editor of Planetizen.

“The introduction to the report sets out the challenge we face: ‘Water shortages, flooding and watercourse pollution are all signs of stress where developed areas have a troubled interaction with the natural water cycle and where, conversely, water has become a risk or a nuisance rather than an asset or an opportunity.’“

“A survey of built environment professionals conducted as part of the report showed that 83% of respondents believe water management is considered too late in the planning and design process of developments….a fundamental part of a water sensitive city is that we integrate the design of those features into the fabric of our towns and cities as attractive livable landscapes.”

To Learn More:

To download a copy of an article published in the Guardian newspaper in April 2013, click on Water Sensitive Design: Integrating Water with Urban Planning.

To download a copy of the report, click on Water Sensitive Urban Design in the UK

Acknowledgement for Story Idea: Planetizen is a public-interest information exchange for the urban planning, design, and development community. It is a one-stop source for urban planning news, editorials, book reviews, announcements, jobs, education, and more.

Planetizen covers a wide number of planning, design, and development issues, from transportation to global warming, architecture to infrastructure, housing and community development to historic preservation. Planetizen provides a forum for people across the political and ideological spectrum, ensuring a healthy debate on these and other important issues.

Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson presents award to Nelson Jatel, Water Stewardship Director for the Okanagan Basin Water Board.

Award Recognizes Outstanding Achievement, Innovative Practice and Leadership

The Excellence in Water Stewardship Award was established by the Council of the Federation – a collaboration of Canada’s provincial and territorial premiers – to recognize outstanding achievement, innovative practice and leadership in the area of water stewardship. Thirteen inaugural awards, one for each province and territory, were awarded on World Water Day, March 22, 2013.

The Okanagan Water Stewardship Council was presented with the first-ever Excellence in Water Stewardship Award for British Columbia. The council, which is a technical advisory body of the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB), was chosen from 16 nominations.

Convening for Action in the Okanagan

 ”The Okanagan Water Stewardship Council exemplifies the World Water Day theme of ‘water co-operation’ perfectly,” said Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson who presented the award on behalf of Minister of Environment Terry Lake. “The council’s membership is made up of more than two-dozen volunteer representatives from a wide range of interests who come together to work as a team to find effective solutions to benefit everyone in the Okanagan.”

“Fresh water is one of the most precious natural resources we have,” said Lake. “While the B.C. government continues to act on ‘Living Water Smart’ – which is our vision and plan for keeping our water healthy and secure for the future – what the Province does is only part of the solution. Local and regional groups like the Okanagan Water Stewardship Council are stepping up and demonstrating leadership throughout the province.”

 “Stewardship in the Okanagan is a balancing act among various, often competing, interests,” said Nelson Jatel  in accepting the award on behalf of the Council. He is the OBWB’s Water StewardshipDirector. “It is essential to build bridges across the different interests in the water sector – including farmers and urban planners, fishers and developers, First Nations, and local and senior governments.”

To Learn More:

To download a copy of the news release by the Ministry of Environment, click on Okanagan Water Stewardship Council wins award.

To download a copy of the related announcement by the Council of the Federation, click on Background Information.

Note to Reader:

The open letter below was sent by the Real Estate Foundation of BC  to the Premier of British Columbia, the Honourable Christy Clark, and Minister of the Environment, the Honourable Dr. Terry Lake, in February 2013. To download a copy, click here.

Open letter on a new BC Water Act

“The purpose of this letter is to express our support for the development of a new Water Sustainability Act for BC,” wrote Jack Wong, Chief Executive Officer of the Real Estate Foundation of BC

“The Real Estate Foundation supports real estate and land use practices that contribute to resilient, healthy communities and natural systems. We provide grants and information to non-profit organizations working to enable transformational change in communities throughout British Columbia. Since 1988, the Foundation has invested over $62 million in land use projects in over 100 BC communities. Fresh water sustainability is one of our three grant making priorities.”

“In fulfilling the Foundation’s mandate, we have the opportunity to work with hundreds of groups throughout the province—non-profit, government, private sector, First Nations and community stakeholders—all working in partnership to support progressive, sustainable land use practices.”

“Water is critically important to these efforts. The release of the Provincial Government’s Living Water Smart Plan in 2008, and its commitment to making progress on Water Act Modernization, has been a catalyst for important research, education and policy initiatives that are contributing to impactful, long term, progressive action on water issues in BC.” 

“For example, over several years, the Real Estate Foundation has funded the Partnership for Water Sustainability in BC to support Convening for Action on Vancouver Island and throughout the province. This initiative has brought together local governments, developers, academics, non-governmental organizations and other practitioners, to advance leading practices and promote a collaborative “water-centric” approach to community planning. The program is aligned with the Province’s Water Sustainability Action Plan for BC, Living Water Smart Program and Green Communities initiative.”

“In 2012, the Real Estate Foundation provided a grant to Simon Fraser University’s Adaptation to Climate Change Team to promote sustainable water governance in BC. This multi-disciplinary team is developing education materials for practitioners and other audiences regarding the Water Act Modernization process and renegotiation of the Columbia River Treaty.”

“The Foundation also supported the Summit Institute Society’s 2012 Water Gathering Summit on Watershed Governance in BC. The Summit identified a critical need for new systems to support collaborative, community driven watershed governance and actions.”

“Last spring, we provided funding to the Canadian Fresh Water Alliance to work with non-profit stewardship organizations to build capacity and collaboration in the water stewardship sector, and build public awareness and appreciation for fresh water in BC.”

“Regional initiatives have also been significant. Examples include: the Fraser Basin Council’s regional workshop series on building capacity for community based water and watershed planning; the Coquitlam River Watershed Roundtable’s current watershed planning process; and Mid-Vancouver Island Habitat Enhancement Society’s multi-year initiative on groundwater mapping and education in the Englishman River watershed.”

“These are just a few examples of the progressive and important work being undertaken throughout BC.”

“The Provincial Government’s Living Water Smart Plan and the modernization of the BC Water Act provide significant potential to improve water management and protect water resources in British Columbia. We ask and encourage you to continue to support the health of fresh water systems, for the benefit of BC communities and natural areas both now and in the future, by bringing this pivotal piece of law reform before the Legislature.”

Sincerely,

THE REAL ESTATE FOUNDATION OF BC

Half of All U.S. Rivers Are Too Polluted for Human Health

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has released the results of the first comprehensive survey looking at the health of thousands of stream and river miles across the United States, finding that more than half – 55 percent – are in poor condition for aquatic life.

The survey found that 23% of river and stream miles are in fair condition; while 21% are in good condition and support healthy biological communities. The graphic reproduced below indicates that conditions in the Pacific Northwest and Northern Plains are better than any region of the continental United States.

“The health of our Nation’s rivers, lakes, bays and coastal waters depends on the vast network of streams where they begin, and this new science shows that America’s streams and rivers are under significant pressure,” said Office of Water Acting Assistant Administrator Nancy Stoner. “We must continue to invest in protecting and restoring our nation’s streams and rivers as they are vital sources of our drinking water, provide many recreational opportunities, and play a critical role in the economy.”

The leading problems are nutrient pollution and habitat degradation. “These conditions make rivers and streams more vulnerable to flooding, contribute to erosion and allow more pollutants to enter waterways,” states the Fact Sheet issued by the US EPA.

To Learn More:

To download a copy of the Draft Report that has been released by the United States EPA for public comment, click on National River and Streams Assessment. And to download a 2-page Fact Sheet, click here.

Canadians concerned about possible water damage from storms, but may not be prepared for it: survey

Ninety percent of Canadians say they believe an extreme weather-related disaster is possible in their community, but few are prepared for the consequences that excess water from such events can have on their homes, notes a new report from Royal Bank of Canada.

2013 RBC Canadian Water Attitudes Survey

Paved surfaces, overloaded infrastructure and severe weather conditions all create challenges for managing excess water, notes the 2013 RBC Canadian Water Attitudes Study, an online survey of 2,282 Canadians administered by GlobeScan between Jan.  23 and Feb. 1.

“Extreme storms have a direct impact on water, as storm water runoff can drag contaminants into local waterways and pollute water bodies that are important for recreation and water supplies,” Bob Sandford, chair of Canadian Partnership Initiative of the UN Water for Life Decade noted in a statement.

“All the impermeable surfaces in cities create the ideal condition for excess water to overwhelm our already strained municipal stormwater systems. Municipalities, property developers and homeowners must work together to better manage stormwater.”

Roughly two-thirds (68%) of those surveyed said Canadian towns and cities should be prepared for a major disaster though would affect stormwater management systems, but only 19% said major actions are required now, the report suggests. Nearly half (49%), however, did say that moderate action is required immediately.

When asked about what is most concerning about increased frequency and severity of extreme weather, water pollution, drought affecting farmers and decreased water supply levels were the top three, the report suggests.

Property damage also remained a concern, although RBC suggests homeowners may not be taking enough steps to take on potential excess water problems.

Of those surveyed, 23% say they have mitigated risk through landscaping with grading, and only 7% have replaced paved surfaces with water-permeable materials, the report notes, adding that managing the risk is up to individuals as well as municipalities.

To Learn More:

To read the complete article published by the Canada’s Insurance and Risk Magazine, click on Canadians concerned about possible water damage from storms, but may not be prepared for it: survey.

Note to Reader:

In November 2007, the Fraser Basin Council hosted a workshop in Vancouver on adaptive decision-making, water management and climate change.  The workshop explored links between climate change adaptation strategies and decision-making processes in the Fraser Basin.

The workshop featured a panel session comprising four speakers representing diverse fields of thought. The panel included Kim Stephens.  He provided a water resource practitioner’s perspective. At that time he was the Program Coordinator for the Water Sustainability Action Plan for British Columbia.  Kim Stephens is now the Executive Director of the Partnership for Water Sustainability in British Columbia.

Preparing for Climate Change in the Fraser Basin: How Can Our Water Management Systems Adapt?

The panel was challenged to respond to a hypothetical climate change / water crisis scenario set in 2030. Kim Stephens opened his presentation by stating that the real issues are uncertainty and risk, more specifically how we deal with the first and manage the latter.  He turned the question into a statement because “I wanted the audience to appreciate that the issues are not overwhelming. We just apply what we know and temper it with common-sense,” he said.

Climate Change is a Variable

“Climate change is not the driver; rather, it is a variable. Furthermore, climate change is only one factor to consider when we talk about sustainable infrastructure,” stated Kim Stephens.

“The key is to focus on what you want to do. Because many factors are in play, the objective is to build in resiliency to address risk. We have to know where we want to  go. Then we can figure out the steps to get there. To adapt water supply systems, the question boils down to: how much water do we need, and how can we make efficient use of what is available?”

To answer the question posed to the panel, Stephens then drew on his experience in working with Robert Hicks of Metro Vancouver and Wenda Mason of the former Land & Water BC to co-develop the curriculum and learning outcomes for the 2005 Penticton Water IN = Water OUT Workshop. 

2005 Penticton Workshop: “Achieving Water Balance”

“This is a subject matter in which we have invested considerable time to develop a philosophy and an approach,” stated Kim Stephens.

“In 2005, the Penticton full-day technical transfer session provided us with opportunity to think hard, think thing through our understanding of the water balance, and connect the dots  between water resource planning, climate variability and risk management.”

“At the workshop, we explored the tools and techniques available through demand-side management; and gave participants ‘hands-on’ planning practice to demonstrate how to achieve a water balance without relying on new sources and infrastructure.”

Long-Term Visions versus Short-Term Realities

Kim Stephens used a slide  created by Robert Hicks  to provide what he called a ‘point of departure’ for the Fraser Basin audience. “Retirement planning is something that most people understand and do intuitively,” he commented, “So why is it that when it comes to community and/or resource planning, we are seemingly incapable of overcoming the gap between long-term and short-term thinking?”

Stephens noted that the objectives for water systems and infrastructure planning are similar to those for retirement planning, namely:

• Maximize return on investment
• Minimize risk
• Recognize financial limits (savings and withdrawals)

“Yet we struggle to make long-term decisions related to dealing with uncertainty and managing risk when it comes to sustaining the very infrastructure that our communities depend upon for life support,” summarized Stephens, “Robert Hicks of Metro Vancouver characterizes the disconnect in thought between retirement planning and water management as a conundrum.” (A conundrum is defined as a paradoxical, insoluble, or difficult problem; a dilemma.)

To Learn More:

To read the complete story about the panel presentation by Kim Stephens, follow this link to download a PDF copy of Dealing with Uncertainty and Managing Risk: How We Can Adapt our Water Management Systems

To download a copy of this PowerPoint slides, click here.  

Note to Reader:

In an opening address at the 2008 Annual Conference of the British Columbia Water & Waste Association, Jim Mattison (Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Environment) discussed the two responses to climate change: mitigation and adaptation. He identified four key policy areas that need work to support adaptation planning: sustainability, adaptability, efficiency and collaboration.

Jim Mattison outlines British Columbia’s policy position

“Mitigation is alleviating the effects of climate change through reducing greenhouse gasses,” Mattison stated. “Adaptation is responding to the changes that will inevitably occur.”

“Mitigation and adaptation are both necessary and complementary strategies to cope with the climate change challenge,” Mattison continued. “It mitigation is about CARBON, then adaptation is about WATER.”

Collaboration

We need public processes at the watershed level that develop information and inform decision-making in a public way. We need to be out in publicensuring people understand the science. We need to combine disciplines and seek the synergistic effects of what we do. We have to bring the focus of public discussion to deal with the tough policy decisions that we have to make. And we need to get started,” concluded Jim Mattison.

To Learn More:

To download article by Jim Mattison that was subsequently published in BCWWA’s Watermark Magazine, click on Adaptation to climate change:  it’s all about the water.

Living Water Smart, BC’s Water Plan

Three months later, in June 2008, the Province released Living Water Smart. The 45 actions and targets in Living Water Smart establish expectations vis-a-vis how land will be developed (or re-developed) and water will be used.

A Call to Action

The Green Communities Initiative complements Living Water Smart and comprises plans, strategies and enabling tools to achieve the land and water stewardship vision. Together, the two initiatives represent a call to action:

• prepare communities for a changing climate
• choose to live water smart
• strive to build greener communities

“Embedded within Living Water Smart is the Water Sustainability Action Plan for British Columbia. The Action Plan was conceived as a partnership umbrella for on-the-ground initiatives that promote water stewardship across the province, and that also inform Provincial policy through collaboration and shared  responsibility in moving from awareness of need to actions on the ground,” reports Kim Stephens, Executive Director of the Partnership for Water Sustainability in British Columbia. 

About the Water Sustainability Action Plan

“Released in February 2004, the Water Sustainability Action Plan for British Columbia was developed through a partnership between the Province and the original Water Sustainability Committee (WSC) of the BC Water & Waste Association. The WSC was then responsible for program delivery from 2004 through 2010,” explains Kim Stephens in providing historical context.

“At the end of 2010, the WSC membership metamorphosed into a stand-alone legal entity, namely: the Partnership for Water Sustainability in British Columbia.  The Partnership is an autonomous not-for-profit society; is responsible for building on the Action Plan foundation; and is the hub for the ‘Convening for Action in British Columbia’ network.”

“Numerous groups and organizations implicitly share a vision for integrated water management. Partnerships hold the key to building broad-based support for improving water management practices, and integrating water management with land use,” concludes Kim Stephens.

Note to Reader:

In 2008, Eric Bonham was the driving force behind creation of the original Climate Change Committee of the BC Water & Waste Association. As the Founding Chair, he had a vison for inter-association collaboration. Eric Bonham’s efforts resulted in BCWWA, the Canadian Water Resources Association (CWRA) and the Air & Waste Management Association (AWMA) holding two complementary symposia in April 2008.

Facing the Future

At the first symposium, titled Changing Climate, Uncertain Future and Evolving Practices, Eric Bonham previewed the second symposium – a workshop held in conjunction with the BCWWA Annual Conference at Whistler and titled Climate Change is Coming…Now What?

This was the first step in cross-fertilizing the two events. In his presentation, Eric Bonham talked about the anticipated impacts of climate change upon water and wastewater infrastructure throughout British Columbia and identified  the program content of the BCWWA workshop held in partnership with the CWRA.  

“While there may be general consensus on climate change predictions at the global scale, real discussion of climate change impacts in our own “backyard” – be it a city, a watershed, or a particular project site – is just getting started. In most cases, the emergence of “best practices” – or even “standard practices” – is still on the horizon,” stated Eric Bonham.

To Learn More:

To read the complete story posted elsewhere on the Water-Centric Planning community-of-interest, click on Our Climate is Changing…Now What?

To download a copy of Eric Bonham’s PowerPoint presentation, click on Facing the Future: The Politics and Science of Water in an Age of Climate Change.