GLIN==> RELEASE: Coalition Urges Ontarians to Support Development of a World-Class Water Strategy

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release 

Thursday, August 13, 2009

 

| Alliance for Water Efficiency | Canadian Environmental Law Association |
Canadian Federation of University Women, Ontario Council | 

Canadian Water and Wastewater Association | Ecojustice | Environmental
Defence | FLOW, Forum for Leadership on Water | 

| Great Lakes United | POLIS Water Sustainability Project |

 

 

Coalition Urges Ontarians to Support Development of a World-Class Water
Strategy

 

Today, a coalition of water professionals, university think-tanks,
environmental and citizen-based groups called on government to take
immediate and aggressive action on water conservation. H2Ontario: A
Blueprint for a Comprehensive Water Conservation Strategy outlines a
strategy for making Ontario world-leaders in cutting wasteful water
practices, and urges Ontarians to support development of a world-class
action plan. 

 

The blueprint coincides with the release of a government white paper
outlining options for a new water strategy. Peer reviewed by the country's
leading water experts, H2Ontario sets a course for the development of a
progressive and pragmatic plan.

 

"We commend the Premier of Ontario for identifying the importance of
conserving water. Investing in water efficiency and conservation will
protect freshwater ecosystems, foster new innovative industries and save
energy all at a fraction of the cost of expanding water infrastructure,"
said Carol Maas, author of the report and Innovation and Technology Director
for the POLIS Water Sustainability Project. Maas also points to recent
research that identifies water conservation as the next frontier of
municipal energy and greenhouse gas emission savings. A province-wide
increase in water efficiency of 20% over the next 20 years could save enough
pumping, treatment and heating energy to power 90% of the homes in the City
of Toronto.

 

As signatories to a key regional agreement, all ten Great Lakes states and
provinces have committed to taking action on water conservation, a crucial
step to protecting and restoring the Great Lakes.

 

 "This strategy has the potential to put Ontario well ahead of the pack and
set a positive precedent for the rest of the Great Lakes basin," said John
Jackson of Great Lakes United. "It would be a huge opportunity missed if
Ontario did not establish a strong action plan."

 

"A commitment to water conservation would also spur job growth in a broad
range of industries such as plumbing, landscaping, engineering, construction
and design, and in manufacturing sectors involved in supplying everything
from rain barrels to dishwashers," said Mary Ann Dickinson, Executive
Director of the Alliance for Water Efficiency. 

 

The Blueprint establishes a coherent strategy organized around 10 priority
actions and 25 specific recommendations. Priority actions include
encouraging the province to:

 

*         Recognize conservation as the best form of new infrastructure - by
requiring water conservation plans and providing infrastructure funds for
conservation.

*         Price it right - by encouraging volume based pricing.

*         Support innovation - through pilot programs, education, and
incentives for commercialization of new water efficient practices and
technologies.

*         Promote efficient fixtures - by banning 13 litre toilets and other
inefficient fixtures.

 

The report urges the Province to act on this plan, and to instil a culture
of water conservation within Ontario. "We all have a role to play in
recognizing the importance of water, and we encourage Ontarians to ensure
that the province implements a world-class strategy," says Maas. 

 

The government white paper, entitled "Stewardship, Leadership,
Accountability: Safeguarding and Sustaining Ontario's Water Resources for
Future Generations.," was posted on the Environmental Bill of Rights
Registry and is open for public comment until October 4, 2009. 

 

Download the Report:

 

H2Ontario: A Blueprint for a Comprehensive Water Conservation and Efficiency
Strategy is available at http://www.poliswaterproject.org/publication/262. 

 

Contacts:

 

Carol Maas

Innovation and Technology Director

POLIS Water Sustainability Project

c.maas at polisproject.org

519-749-1996 

 

 

John Jackson

Director, Clean Production and Toxics

Great Lakes United

jjackson at glu.org

519-744-7503

 

-30-

 

 

____________________________________

Brent Gibson

Director, Communications

Great Lakes United

(613) 867-9861

 <mailto:bgibson at glu.org> bgibson at glu.org |  <http://www.glu.org/>
www.glu.org

 

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