Water Conservation & Soft Path
Communities around the world are beginning to realize the economic, social and environmental benefits of water conservation. Planners and water managers are moving away from supply side solutions that problem solve by expanding reservoirs, building bigger pipes and digging deeper wells. Instead, communities are looking to long-term, comprehensive, integrated approaches to water management to ensure adequate quantities of high quality water for the future. This progression from supply side solutions to soft path planning can be visualized along a water management spectrum. The soft path for water goes beyond demand side management and its primary focus on efficiency by simultaneously targeting water-use habits, technologies, and practices to embed conservation as the foundation of governance and management.
The first three major WSP research reports address key issues surrounding urban water demand management and conservation. Flushing the Future and What the Experts Think are the examination and diagnosis of the urban water sector in Canada, while The Future in Every Drop provides a comprehensive prescription for developing sustainable urban water management. The Water Conservation Planning Guide for British Columbia's Communities applies findings from the first three WSP reports and summarizes core research on water-wise tools and practices in an easy to use step-by-step guidebook.
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Discussion Papers, Briefing Notes and Case Studies
The soft path pilot project for Fergus-Elora was initiated by the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) in partnership with the POLIS Project on Ecological Governance, the Township of Centre Wellington (TCW), the Elora Environment Centre, and the University of Waterloo.
In Fergus-Elora, population and water use are expected to double between 2008 and 2040. The region is dependent on groundwater and if no conservation measures are taken the existing groundwater supply will likely require expansion by 2028.
The recommended approach for Fergus-Elora is to “use the same water tomorrow we use today,” which accommodates all future population and economic growth to 2040, and beyond, using the same amount of water used in 2008.
Click the links below to download PDF files of the report and technical appendices.
A 2010 report summarizing the results and analysis of a GRCA residential water use survey for Fergus-Elora is also provided. The survey focused on the usage of water-using fixtures and appliances, as well as water conservation efforts made by residents in the community.
The purpose of the ActionH2O Water Sustainability Charter is to commit local government councils across Canada to achieving local water conservation goals. The ActionH2O Water Sustainability Charter Toolkit gives an overview of how community groups can use the Charter to engage local governments, including quick tips and strategies.
A briefing note submitted to federal Minister of Environment Jim Prentice. This initiative was a joint project of POLIS, the Alliance for Water Efficiency, FLOW Canada, and the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA).
A report for the Capital Regional District's Water Advisory Committee outlining ways to apply the soft path in a municipal setting.
The WSP team contributed to a Foundation Research Bulletin on the topic of Water Conservation in Oliver, BC published by Smart Growth on the Ground in April 2006.
The POLIS Water Project and BC's Ministry of Water Land and Air Protection collaborated on this presentation at the CWRA conference "Water - Our Limiting Resource" in Kelowna, BC in February 23-25, 2005.
A briefing paper presented at a workshop for BC's Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection on July 20, 2004. The WSP team presented POLIS' proposed action plans for the provincial government to implement urban water demand management.
This background paper for Environment Canada provides viable action plans with federal leadership for a comprehensive and long-term approach to freshwater management in Canada.
A joint submission briefing note presented to the Prime Minister's Office by the POLIS Project and Friends of the Earth Canada on March 16, 2004 in anticipation of the federal budget.
