1. Water in the Context ofMetro VancouverJane Comeault PEng, MESSustainability Strategist Canadian Water Summit Half Full: Out Water Future Toronto 17 June 2010
The organization, Metro Vancouver represents Canada’s only non-amalgamatedmajor metro areaIt is a collaboration of 24 local authorities (including one electoral area and one First Nation) which vary greatly in size and characterBoard of Directors comprised of Mayors and Councilors from the 24 communities – every one is included
Metro Vancouver commissioned the Summer Visions Youth Program – a film school through the Pacific Cinematheque - to create PSAs promoting tap water over bottled water in their 2-week project. We received 8 very creative products – all available on You Tube and our website; I want to share one with you…this one is called TAP RAPhttp://www.metrovancouver.org/region/tapwater/Pages/default.aspx
Since the early 1990s we have had lawn sprinkling regulations in the region and they have been effectivePeak per capita water use has gone down by 25%Although the population served in the region has increased, the total volume of water delivered during the peak period has remained relatively constant.By the way, housing density matters too in residential water consumptionCompact communities have compact pipe networks and less leakageThey also have smaller lawns per capita
We introduced another demand management tool in 2006 – seasonal water pricing.Water is 25% more in peak season (summer) compared to winter$0.56 per cubic metre in summer$0.45 / m3 in winterThe cost to consumers is higher with the cost for municipal services added – about $0.80 to $1.00/ cubic metreGVWD Water Rate (trend over time and compare changes in the GVWD to changes inother jurisdictions).The GVWD provides water on a wholesale basis to member municipalities. GVWD’s costs to providewater are higher in the peak summer season of June through September as the natural inflows to itssource lakes are lower and the demand for water is higher. Consequently, in accordance with theDrinking Water Management Plan the GVWD began phasing in seasonal pricing in 2006. In 2010,the GVWD is charging member municipalities a summer season rate of about $0.56 per cubic metreand an off-peak season rate of about $0.45 per cubic metre (Figure 7). The water rates per cubicmetre paid by residents and businesses in the Metro Vancouver region, include municipal watersupply costs, and are typically in the range of $0.7 to $1.0 per cubic metre. Water rates in the MetroVancouver region are still lower than other regions such as Seattle ($1.23), Calgary ($1.25),Edmonton ($1.56), and Toronto ($1.89).
