The overall purpose of the rates and affordability initiative was to build municipal/utility knowledge and support decision-making on specific aspects of utility financial sustainability and affordability. Building on past CWN initiatives and discussions, the rates and affordability initiative aimed to deliver a report that explores utility water, wastewater and stormwater rates/fees in the context of [...]
In June of 2021, the Government of Canada committed to net-zero emissions by 2050. In November 2021, almost 200 countries at COP26 committed to the Glasgow Climate Pact that contained four main goals. Water plays a central role in achieving all of them alongside “near-global net-zero” mitigation efforts. Around the same time, Canadian Water Network [...]
Investment and operational decisions in water and wastewater management need to be made, despite uncertainty related to climate change, emerging contaminants, regulatory changes and unforeseen challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Efforts to realize co-benefits can build resilience across the water sector in the face of uncertainty, now and into the future. Creative approaches that [...]
In October 2020, Canadian Water Network launched a Strategic Sharing Group for members of the Canadian Municipal Water Consortium. The purpose of this group was to provide a space to discuss advancing levels of service for municipal water, wastewater and stormwater systems. During the discussions, a wide range of topics were covered, including how municipalities [...]
Canada’s rapidly evolving situation during the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged business-as-usual for water and wastewater utilities, requiring modifications to staffing and operations and the prioritization of activities, including ongoing maintenance and construction projects. Since March 20, 2020, Canadian Water Network has facilitated weekly discussions with decision makers from up to 30 large and mid-sized water [...]
Harmful and nuisance algal blooms are a recurring issue for municipalities across Canada, and their severity, frequency and distribution are increasing. Human activities such as urbanization and agriculture, as well as changes in climate like warmer water temperatures and more intense rainfall are contributing to algae proliferation. In 2019, Canadian Water Network hosted a two-part [...]
Municipal per capita water use is decreasing across Canada due to the rising use of water-efficient fixtures, updated plumbing and building codes, and an increasing trend in water metering. Water conservation results in a number of benefits, but also impacts the operations of municipal drinking water and wastewater systems. Canadian Water Network hosted a two-part [...]
The purpose of this project was to propose a common framework and management approach that can be used by drinking water providers and regulators to address risk and uncertainty for the guarantee of safe drinking water.
Effective urban water management is vital for life and livelihood. Urban water supply and removal systems serve many critical functions, from that of health-support system to economic engine. Yet, when operating smoothly, their presence often goes unnoticed. Major disruptions, while dramatic and costly, are rare. Rather, it is the day-to-day system operations that produce the [...]
The purpose of this project was to review current research activities to assess the role of risk assessment in research formulation, the collection of scientific data, and the uptake of this information into action.