“Water in Canada is both abundant and precious – a resource that defines our geography and sustains our lives. Yet, the way we use and manage it must reflect its true value, ensuring future generations inherit not just the resource, but the wisdom to steward it wisely.” – MJ Martin
Example Case
The City of Toronto loses an estimated 103 million liters of drinking water per day due to leaky pipes, which is enough to fill more than 15,000 Olympic swimming pools:
Explanation
A study by the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO) found that Toronto’s leakage rate is consistently 10-15%. This is equivalent to the daily water demand of a system serving a population of about 250,000 people.
Causes
The study suggests that communities need more money to maintain, repair, and replace aging and leaking plumbing. The average age of Toronto’s watermains is 61 years, with 11% between 80-100 years and 13% more than 100 years.
Impact
The study’s lead author, Tamer El-Diraby, a professor of civil engineering at the University of Toronto, said that the waste is not only in the amount of water being spilled, but also in the energy being used to pressurize the pipes.
Canadian Water Consumption
The data from a 2021 study performed by Statistics Canada highlights the dynamics of potable water production and usage in Canada, emphasizing changes in consumption patterns, infrastructure investments, and operational costs in 2021. Here’s a summary of the key points:
Potable Water Production and Usage
- Total Production:
- 4,869 million cubic meters of potable water produced in 2021, a 0.1% increase from 2019.
- 88% of the water was sourced from rivers or lakes.
- Water Usage:
- Households accounted for 55% of water use, consuming 2,678 million cubic meters in 2021.
- Combined non-residential sectors (industrial, commercial, institutional) used 1,247 million cubic meters (26%), down 7% from 2019.
- Water Distribution Losses:
- 17% of produced water lost due to distribution system issues (e.g., leaks).
- 3% of water was transferred wholesale to other jurisdictions.
- Per Capita Water Use:
- Total: 401 litres per person per day, down 2% from 2019.
- Residential: 223 litres per person per day, an 8% rise since 2019 but an 11% decrease over the past decade.
- Regional Insights:
- Newfoundland and Labrador reported the highest per capita water use.
- Nunavut and Manitoba had the lowest per capita water use.
- Residential water use exceeded the national average in Yukon, Newfoundland and Labrador, British Columbia, Quebec, and New Brunswick.
- Water Treatment:
- Nearly all water treated via filtration and disinfection.
- 1% of Canadians received untreated water (primarily groundwater), unchanged since 2011.
Figure 1: Average daily total litres of water used per capita, litres per person per day
Infrastructure and Costs
- Capital Expenditures:
- $936 million spent on upgrades in 2021, a 9% increase from $855 million in 2020.
- Focused on buildings, machinery, and water treatment equipment (excluding distribution infrastructure).
- Operations and Maintenance:
- $1.3 billion spent on operations and maintenance in 2021, a 4% increase from 2019.
- Major expenses:
- Labour: $509 million (largest share).
- Materials (e.g., chemicals, parts): $309 million.
- Energy: $275 million.
- Other: $178 million.
Figure 2: Average daily litres of water used per capita in residential sector, litres per person per day
Trends and Observations
- The decline in per capita water use suggests improved efficiency or changes in behavior, likely influenced by population growth and stable production levels.
- The shift to residential water use reflects an increase in work-from-home arrangements.
- Investments in infrastructure and maintenance reflect ongoing efforts to ensure reliable and sustainable water systems.
This overview underscores the evolving water usage patterns and highlights the importance of continued investment in water infrastructure to meet changing demands while addressing losses and operational challenges.
Building upon the previously discussed Statistics Canada data, additional insights from McGill University and other sources provide a more comprehensive understanding of water usage and infrastructure in Canada.
Historical and Regional Water Consumption
- Historical Perspective: In the 1600s and 1700s, Montreal residents used approximately 10 to 17 liters of water per person daily, equivalent to two bucketfuls. In contrast, the average Canadian’s daily residential water use in 2021 was 223 liters per person, indicating a significant increase over the centuries.
- Regional Variations: Water consumption varies across regions. For instance, the average Quebec resident uses about 400 liters daily, while the average Montrealer uses approximately 225 liters per day. These figures highlight the differences in water usage patterns within the province.
University Campus Water Usage
- McGill University: A 2012 study reported that McGill’s downtown campus consumed between 1.8 and 2.3 million cubic meters of water annually, while the Macdonald campus used about 0.1 million cubic meters. These figures underscore the substantial water requirements of large educational institutions.
Infrastructure Investments and Condition
- Investment Needs: A 2007 study by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and McGill University estimated that approximately $88 billion in investments were necessary for water-related infrastructure in Canada. From 2007 to 2016, about $65.8 billion was invested, indicating ongoing efforts to address infrastructure needs.
- Infrastructure Condition: Despite investments, the condition of water infrastructure has seen little change. In 2018, around 11% of linear water assets were in poor or very poor condition, unchanged from 2016. Less than half were in good or very good condition, suggesting the need for continued investment and maintenance.
Figure 3: Monthly potable water production, Canada, millions of cubic metres
Water Use Trends
- Household Water Demand: Between 2019 and 2021, water use by Canadian households increased by 5.7%, outpacing the 1.7% population growth during the same period. This trend indicates rising per capita water consumption among households.
Water Quality and Safety
- First Nations Communities: As of January 2021, several First Nations communities in British Columbia were under drinking water advisories, including boil-water and do-not-consume advisories. This situation highlights ongoing challenges in ensuring safe drinking water access for all communities.
These insights emphasize the complexities of water usage, infrastructure, and quality across Canada, highlighting the importance of continued investment, efficient management, and equitable access to safe drinking water for all communities.
References:
Statistics Canada. (2021). Water in Canada: Potable water production, usage, and infrastructure investments. Retrieved from https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/type/daily
McGill University. (n.d.). Water is life: Historical and regional water consumption. Retrieved from https://www.mcgill.ca/waterislife
McGill University. (n.d.). Water management at McGill campuses. Retrieved from https://www.mcgill.ca/facilities/about/utilities/water-management
Federation of Canadian Municipalities & McGill University. (2007). Investment needs for water-related infrastructure in Canada. Retrieved from https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/201123/dq201123b-eng.htm
Government of Canada. (2021). Long-term drinking water advisories in First Nations communities. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-term_drinking_water_advisories
McGill University. (n.d.). Our drinking water: Historical perspective on water use in Montreal. Retrieved from https://www.mcgill.ca/waterislife/waterathome/our-drinking-water
Water Canada. (n.d.). Significant amount of drinking water being wasted due to leaky pipes: Report. Retrieved from https://www.watercanada.net/significant-amount-of-drinking-water-being-wasted-due-to-leaky-pipes-report/
About the Author:
Michael Martin is the Vice President of Technology with Metercor Inc., a Smart Meter, IoT, and Smart City systems integrator based in Canada. He has more than 40 years of experience in systems design for applications that use broadband networks, optical fibre, wireless, and digital communications technologies. He is a business and technology consultant. He was a senior executive consultant for 15 years with IBM, where he worked in the GBS Global Center of Competency for Energy and Utilities and the GTS Global Center of Excellence for Energy and Utilities. He is a founding partner and President of MICAN Communications and before that was President of Comlink Systems Limited and Ensat Broadcast Services, Inc., both divisions of Cygnal Technologies Corporation (CYN: TSX). Martin served on the Board of Directors for TeraGo Inc (TGO: TSX) and on the Board of Directors for Avante Logixx Inc. (XX: TSX.V). He has served as a Member, SCC ISO-IEC JTC 1/SC-41 – Internet of Things and related technologies, ISO – International Organization for Standardization, and as a member of the NIST SP 500-325 Fog Computing Conceptual Model, National Institute of Standards and Technology. He served on the Board of Governors of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) [now OntarioTech University] and on the Board of Advisers of five different Colleges in Ontario. For 16 years he served on the Board of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), Toronto Section. He holds three master’s degrees, in business (MBA), communication (MA), and education (MEd). As well, he has three undergraduate diplomas and five certifications in business, computer programming, internetworking, project management, media, photography, and communication technology. He has completed over 30 next generation MOOC continuous education in IoT, Cloud, AI and Cognitive systems, Blockchain, Agile, Big Data, Design Thinking, Security, Indigenous Canada awareness, and more.