At this year’s Blue Cities conference, a timely panel discussion explored how Canadian water utilities can lead the charge toward net zero water operations. Hosted by Canadian Water Network, the session brought together municipal leaders, private sector innovators and global experts to share practical strategies for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the water sector.
Chaired by Dave Szeptycki (York Region), the panel featured Bruce Ander (Markham District Energy Inc.), Jeff Carmichael (Metro Vancouver), David Ponder (US Water Alliance) and Emma Shen (Jacobs). Together, they highlighted the urgent need for climate action and the unique role water utilities can play in driving meaningful change.
Why water utilities must lead
Municipalities are already experiencing the effects of climate change — rising temperatures, extreme weather and shifting precipitation patterns are placing new pressures on water infrastructure. As essential service providers, utilities have both a responsibility and an opportunity to lead by example in reducing emissions and building climate resilience.
Panelists emphasized that reducing GHGs is not only about meeting climate targets — it’s about protecting infrastructure and ensuring long-term service reliability. Many emissions-reducing actions align with operational best practices, making them both practical and cost-effective.
Building the case through co-benefits
Decarbonization efforts often deliver multiple benefits. Reducing fugitive methane emissions, for example, improves safety and reduces regulatory risk. Energy efficiency measures can lower operating costs while shrinking a utility’s carbon footprint. These co-benefits help strengthen the business case for action.
Pathways to progress
Strategic priorities:
Decarbonization must be embedded as a core business objective. Many of the necessary actions—such as optimizing energy use, managing water demand, and maintaining assets—are already part of good utility management.
Empowering people:
Operators are central to emissions reduction. Training staff to monitor and manage process emissions like nitrous oxide and methane is gaining momentum, particularly in Southern Ontario. Peer learning, including operator exchange programs, was highlighted as a powerful tool for accelerating progress.
Technical innovations:
Energy efficiency remains a key starting point. Optimizing aeration systems, pumps, and motors can yield immediate savings. Methane leak detection and reduction is another high-impact area, with added safety and financial benefits.
Data as a driver:
Utilities are encouraged to treat data as a strategic asset. Shifting from a data collection focus to data analysis focus enables better decision-making and helps identify emissions hotspots and efficiency opportunities.
Tailored approaches for diverse systems
Panelists cautioned against one-size-fits-all solutions. Each facility has unique characteristics, and strategies must be tailored accordingly. Utilities must also balance decarbonization goals with “infra-stretching” — maximizing existing capacity to delay costly expansions.
Unlocking broader opportunities
Cross-border collaboration between Canada and the U.S. can accelerate innovation through shared case studies and best practices. The panel also highlighted the potential of the water-energy nexus, where co-locating industries can turn waste into energy.
Case study: Markham District Energy
Bruce Ander shared how Markham District Energy partnered with York Region to harness heat from a nearby wastewater main using heat pump technology. This innovative approach offsets natural gas use in their district energy system — an example of sector coupling that transforms wastewater into a clean energy source.
Looking Ahead
The panel concluded with a clear message: the path to net-zero water is both achievable and necessary. With the right mix of strategy, training, technology and collaboration, water utilities can lead the way in building a more resilient and sustainable future.
