Becoming Water Efficient in B.C.

Many of the nearly 44,000 licenced water users in B.C. – single households, water suppliers, cities and agricultural irrigators – are not currently metered. As a result, we have limited data on how much water is being used.

The provincial government will define “large” users and their measuring requirements, but will exclude single home use or domestic water licences. Requirements may vary, depending on the location of the user, how much water is available, and the impact that using the water may have on the environment. Requirements will be introduced through the Water Act Modernization project after consultation with water users.

Metering water use, particularly for large users such as irrigators and industrial facilities, can help identify leaks and inefficient use, and help users find ways to use less water. Government will invest in our water information systems to better track water usage and will also look at providing information, incentives and other assistance to water licencees to assist them in the transition to metering.

In some areas of the province, the agriculture sector accounts for up to 70% of the surface and groundwater consumed. The B.C. government will support continued water innovation and efficiency while providing water security for farmers. Encouraging best practices in irrigation and managing crop and soil water requirements will help ensure that water use on farms is as efficient as possible. This is especially important as agricultural water needs are greatest during the hot, dry summer months when water supplies are most vulnerable.

Eighty percent of provincial funding to local governments goes to water-related infrastructure such as water and waste water systems, drinking water treatment and flood protection. Adapting to climate change and reducing our impact on the environment is a condition for receiving provincial infrastructure funding.

Provincial policy, design criteria and new incentives for provincial infrastructure funding already requires greener and smarter designs for development. Higher criteria will be established as technology improves over time. This will encourage developers and engineers to continually seek better solutions to reduce our future water needs.

Water Conservation Calculator Shows Municipalities How to Save Water and Money

The Water Conservation Calculator is an on-line user-friendly tool geared for water purveyors of smaller communities. Its purpose is to illustrate how specific conservation measures yield both fiscal and physical water consumption savings. Smaller communities often cannot allocate resources to traditional infrastructure projects or cannot budget for the development of professional water conservation/efficiency plans. Water purveyors can use the tool to assist in presenting their conservation case to council and other decision makers.

The calculator assists in:

• collecting and recording community water system data;
• preparing useful information about the current state of the water system and future demands;
• comparison of conservation demand management and supply-side upgrade options;
• assistance in more accurately targeting conservation efforts, thereby increasing the cost effectiveness of conservation campaigns;
• offering finance planning for conservation demand management and supply-side upgrades;
• assistance in decision making around new infrastructure (can illustrate the possibility of capital deferment); and
• presenting charting and a printable PDF report based on data inputs, outputs, and benchmark values.

Water conservation should be seen as alternative or supplemental to planned infrastructure projects. In essence, conservation is a resource in its own right. It provides safe, clean, water sooner, that is less costly, and less impactful on the environment than traditional source development or upgrade projects.

» www.waterconservationcalculator.ca

Quality Topsoil: An Asset in Your Garden

An absorbent topsoil layer does more than help your plants and lawn grow well, it also helps you be water smart. Quality topsoil has many benefits including limiting runoff during wet-weather periods and reducing water need during dry-weather periods. The City of Courtenay, City of Surrey and District of North Vancouver are sharing their pioneering experience with other municipal staff and designers. Developed by the Green Infrastructure Partnership, the ‘Topsoil Primer Set’ helps municipalities achieve water sustainability outcomes through implementation of green infrastructure practices.
Two guidance documents are available, one deals with Law and Policy, and the other provides Technical information.

Further water efficiency measures that the provincial government will introduce in coming years are outlined in the Being Water Smart in your Home.

The B.C. government wants to recognize and celebrate the important work of our water heroes. By celebrating the successes of individuals or groups, others will feel inspired and motivated to do their part.

Awards and ceremonies provide an opportunity to support and recognize community-based water stewardship initiatives and to keep water issues in the spotlight. Government will celebrate and recognise examples of successful water stewardship by awarding water awards. As a starting point, the Green City Awards for local governments will include a new category for water conservation leadership. The Minister of Environment's Abor Vitae Awards for individuals and groups will also have a new water stewardship category.

Sustainability is at the heart of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The Games present a great opportunity to showcase our water smart innovation and choices to the rest of the world. The government of British Columbia will work with our Olympic partners to use sports and the Olympic Games spotlight to engage British Columbians and support smarter water choices.