Canadian Water Network is hosting a Leaders Dialogue to discuss the challenges and opportunities water leaders face in servicing densifying areas in our cities.

Many of Canada’s large urban centres are experiencing growth. Recent census estimates from Statistics Canada show that urban core areas are growing faster than five years ago and that downtowns are growing more rapidly than before.

This rapid growth presents challenges, including the need to replace aging infrastructure and the need to reduce or eliminate combined systems. We also need to account for gaps in data and modelling that are used for planning purposes, and a changing climate that puts more stress on existing infrastructure.

During the event on June 16, speakers from the City of Toronto, City of Edmonton, EPCOR, City of Kawartha Lakes and City of Vancouver will explore topics like:

• The role integrated water management can play in helping guide and prioritize approaches to densification and redevelopment.
• How a better definition of service levels can support decision-making and dialogues with relevant groups.
• The role and opportunity of development charges to fund system capacity and renewal upgrades, moving towards growth more fully paying for growth.

Interested in learning more about the Leaders Dialogue? Contact Sandra Cooke, Director of the Municipal Consortium, at [email protected]