[All] Lecture minutes: Rob de Loë on the Future of Water Governance

[Louisette Lanteigne]

Mr.  Rob de Loë is Professor and University Research Chair on Water Policy and Governance Environment and Resource Studies at the University of Waterloo.  He spoke of the Future of Water Governance, as part of the Third Age Learning lecture series, February 18th,  2009 at Rim Park.
 
Quick glimpse of topics
water policies, past, present and future governance, water use, the roll of the public, insight on climate change and the proposed Lake Erie Pipeline etc.
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History
 
Inquiry on Federal Water Policy in the mid 1980's produced the Federal Water Policy report but interest declined on water issues in the 1990's. In May 2000 due to Walkerton water is now back. 
 
The UN states that global water crisis is a crisis of GOVERNANCE because we have mismanaged water. In Canada there is an average of 1200 to 1700 boiled water advisories at any time and it is not due to a lack of science or technology to address the matter. Many of the advisories are taking place in aboriginal communities.
 
Water Governance is the way decisions are made and actions are taken. Governance is drawing more attention over the last decade.
 
Review of Canada's water supplies
 

20% of the world's fresh water in all forms is locked in ice, permafrost etc.
99% of fresh water in the Great Lakes is principal meaning that only 1% recharges and it is that 1% that we can work within. 
7% average amount of renewable water helps recharge our aquifers, flows in streams etc. 
Canada is 3rd in the world for renewable fresh water but we can wreck this system.
2/3 of our renewable water falls as rain and it moves about.
 
In BC, large trees indicate heavy precipitation whereas Cactus in Alberta show their limited rainfall of 30mm/year. There are enormous variables of precipitation across Canada. 
 
66% of Canada's population lives in urban areas condenced in smaller areas of land. The difference in land use from Toronto to Alberta, Urban to rural is dramatic. Different priorities in different areas.  
 
Uses of Water

In Canada each person uses an average of 329L of water per day whereas in Queensland Australia people are using 120 L of water per person per day due to water shortages. We can improve.
 
In Canada 25% of our residential treated drinking water is flushed. 
 
Water distribution systems were originally created to provide water to stop fires. Eventually it was adopted as a means of providing water for household use. Water is used for residential use, agricultural use, power generation and as a place for waste. Not everyone treats effluent before releasing it. 
 
We make water function for human use but water is something woven in myth, sacred meanings, spirituality and reflection. Water is the life blood for ecosystems, fisheries etc.
 
Governance is changing
 
Damns and reservoirs have modified water to meet human needs but nature needs it too. Water has been used to facilitate communities and economic uses based on quotas but how much do we shift to provide for nature too?
 
In the past Water was a technical domain for Engineers and lawyers. It is in policies but over time the roll of CITIZENS has changed. There are more voices and more players. 
 

The Sparrow decision made it a duty to consult with First Nations people. 
Policy oriented citizen groups and the media are important and critical players. Corporations are speaking out
Geologists and scientists  are involved now. 
 
It's a good thing!
 
Brief History of Water Governance
 
Canadian water governance began with CP Railway's colonization department who used water to colonize areas out west. At the time water was set aside for irrigation (Not fish) and aboriginals had no say.
 
Today the Federal and Provincial governments are no longer considered "The experts" so the government must include others.
 
Before 2006 we didn't have this map of our Watershed because it didn't exist. Now we have the Lake Erie Source Protection in the works. Walkerton showed that we must maintain water quality at the source. This logic helped form the Clean Water Act.
 
The GRCA, Long Point and Catfish Creek Conservation Authority are participating in the Grand River Watershed Source protection committee. The government wants areas to choose local strategies to address localized issues. This is not given from Queens Park, we make the plan from here.
 
The Future of Governance is:
 

Distributed and collaborative: Less state, more collaborative, more partnerships, better plans, more scrutiny to prevent risks.
Adaptive and FLexible: Climate change, competing water needs poses challenges.
Strategic: Water = economy, food security etc. 
 
The view today
 

There is a broad acceptance of importance of water from a wider body of people
Technological solutions are not the only answer
People are concerned
More groups meas more minds and more clashes on occasion
More groups are vying for limited funding
Each area has unique issues.
 
Question & Answer
 
Q: What are the Regional Water Protection Area signs about?
 
Currently 80% of our water supply comes from groundwater and surface water activities can pose a risk. The signs are to raise public awareness to let people know their actions could have harmful impacts. 
 
Q: What about US and Canadian Water Issues?
 

We share the boarder and Great Lakes. 
Canada is percieved to be water wealthy. 
There are schemes regarding water but the costs are unrealistic. 
Studies in California show the largest untapped source of water is water conservation. With their current water supply, 70 to 80% is being used for agriculture. Improvements can be made to facilitate less water demanding crops, more water reuse, greater efficiency etc. 
Brisbane Australia is running out of water and they are implimenting effective conservation strategies. 
Diversions from the Great Lakes already exists such as the Chicago diversion. We must be concerned of that but bigger issues exist that are happening now which we should all pay attention to such as the Lake Erie Pipeline. 
 
Q: What about the Proposed Lake Erie Pipeline?
 
Currently Southern Ontario is growth oriented and this will increase water demands. Historically the remedy is to get more water but these types of solutions are no longer pallitable. In Guelph for example, their max demand to supply is approaching so the city is looking at lawn watering bans etc. 
 
A pipeline to Lake Erie is not pallitable. It could be circumvented if we slow or stop growth or if we conserve like crazy which delays the point of need. I hope it is only considered after we've exhausted all other options. For example, drinking water is not required to flush toilets. Greywater recycling or rainwater harvesting could provide the volumes needed. We must take measures to match water quality to purpose. Growing drought resistant plants helps too.  Social Attitudes can change the pipeline.
 
Q: What about bottled water?
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In regards to bottled water folks are opposed to water for bottled water but not beer or juice. They oppose bottled water but they play golf on irrigated golf courses. In my view a better issue to focus on is improving water quality issues in first nations communities. We need to make that a priority. 
 
Q: What are the anticipated impacts of Climate Change?
 
We're going to have the same amount of precipitation however it will come in more extreme events. You could have a years worth of rain in a few large storms instead of the standard weather pattern. With faster flow there will be less recharge. We're going to see more rain less snow.  Waterloo is ground zero for climate change issues.
 
Q: What about the tar sands?
 
If an IP containment breech happens it will be very bad for the people living in the north. The Athabasca flows north and the folks in the North West Territories are very worried. They have less representation and less power. They are the ones at risk of water quality issues. 
 
Q: What about salt?
 
The ocean contains 97.9% of salt in the world. Desalination to remove salt is costly and uses lots of energy. It's not a bad option if you don't need much water. It costs about $3-$4/cubic metre to process but one has to ask if all the costs are fully considered? It certainly is not a cost effective system for agriculture or food production.
 
Q. What about National Interest vs. Local Perspective?
 
The federal government handles trans boundry issues, fisheries, navigations. The province has their duties but the real weakness is the division of labour. That is the main issue.
Water strategies should be enshrined in Federal regulations to set standards. Don't rely on local levels to do it.  We need a Federal Water Policy and the Province can assist with water strategies based on local features because water quantity and uses varies across the country.
 
End of lecture.
 
Lulu :0)
 
 
 
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