What can be done to implement water conservation?
All levels of government have responsibility for water management. The federal or provincial governments can introduce legislation, programs or incentives to implement conservation, such as mandating standards for water efficiency or conservation. Municipalities, however, have the most to gain by promoting water conservation. Environment Canada has found, however, that the lack of full-cost pricing and conservation-oriented price structures has led to increased water use. When Ontario’s Sustainable Water and Sewage Systems Act comes into force, municipalities will have to incorporate the true costs of supplying water into the rates. It also means that the costs of maintaining and building new water and sewage infrastructure (including source protection costs related to infrastructure) will have to be calculated and taken into account when rates are set. These costs can be mitigated by water conservation measures. One of the most effective ways for municipalities to affect water conserv
