2. Significance
• In some countries, fresh water is a scarce resource;
however, in Canada, there is an abundance of fresh
water.
• The fact that Canada has vast quantities of this precious
resource does not, however, justify wastefulness.
• Comparing average daily flow of water per capita will
show which communities are saving fresh water and
which are not.
3. Core Indicator
• Total average daily flow of water is measured by the
relationship between the total water residential use and
the population served water.
• Residential use specifies water that was used by
individuals, not for commercial or other use.
• Of all the water used in Canada 53.5% is used
residentially (as opposed to commercial use).
4. National Trend Since 2001
• Since 2001, residential water use per capita has been
decreasing in Canada (see following chart).
• The largest decrease was between 2006 and 2009 (a
decrease of 16.2%).
• Environment Canada suggests that this decline may be
due to a number of factors including: climatic variables,
socioeconomic variables, higher rates of metering and
increasing water and sewer prices.
5. Total Average Daily Flow of Water for
Residential Use in Litres per Capita,
Canada, 2001-2009
350
340
330
320
310
300
290
280
270
260
2001 2004 2006 2009
Source: Environment Canada, Municipal Water and Wastewater Survey
http://www.ec.gc.ca/Water-apps/MWWS/en/publications.cfm
6. Canada’s Major CMAs
• In 2009, water use per capita in St. John’s (710.0L) was
the highest among Canada’s major CMAs and over twice
the national average (274.0L) (see following chart).
• Second highest was Montréal (434.9L).
• London had the lowest residential water use per capital
at 160.1 litres per person per day, followed by
Edmonton at 180.8 litres.
7. Total Average Daily Flow of Water for
Residential Use in Litres per Capita for
Major CMAs, 2009
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
Source: Environment Canada, Municipal Water and Wastewater Survey
http://www.ec.gc.ca/Water-apps/MWWS/en/publications.cfm
8. CMA Trends (1999 to 2009)
• The absolute change in water consumption within the
last decade for major CMAs has varied a lot between
regions, however, 9 of the 15 communities followed the
national trend of decreasing water use (see following
chart).
• St. John’s had the highest water use growth of 71.5
litres, followed by Montréal (up 48.6L).
• Québec (down 306.7L) and Hamilton (down 196.5L) had
the greatest decreases in water consumption.
9. Absolute Change in Water Consumption in
Litres per Capita for Major CMAs, 1999-2009
100.0
50.0
0.0
-50.0
-100.0
-150.0
-200.0
-250.0
-300.0
-350.0
Note: Change for Canada calculated between 2001 and 2009.
Source: Environment Canada, Municipal Water and Wastewater Survey.
10. The Impact of Billing
• Environment Canada suggests that the method for billing
water has a large effect on the amount of water
consumed per capita.
• Residents in Nova Scotia, for example, consumed more
than double the amount of water when they were billed
a flat rate.
• Canadians who are charged a meter rate based on
volume seem to use much less water.
