Background
When infrastructure ages, pipe leakage contributes to approximately 30% of municipal water use – aggravating the existing strains on water management. The demands of a growing urban population combined with an increase of paved areas exacerbate the issue. In the near future, climate change will likely affect Toronto's water quality, water supply, and wastewater infrastructure, particularly due to combined sewer overflows caused by frequent high intensity rainfalls.
The Soft Path Approach
Reducing water demand provides the cheapest source of "new" water. It can also be implemented more quickly and is less environmentally damaging than any supply alternative. Most current demands can be met with far less water -- and with water of lower quality -- than is currently used.
Brooks (2005) defines the core principles of the soft path concept as: 1) Treat water as a service rather than an end in itself 2) Make ecological sustainability a fundamental criterion 3) Match the quality of water delivered to that needed by the end use 4) Plan from the future, back to the present.[1]
The soft path builds on typical water demand management, but also incorporates distinctly different conservation measures including changes in water use habits, institutional reforms and alteration of economic and population growth patterns. One of the key conceptual differences between a water soft path and demand management is that a soft path requires an analysis of the ways in which water demand can be reduced to more accurately reflect the local availability of water.
The Portland Oregon Sustainable Infrastructure Case Study
The City of Portland’s Sustainable Stormwater program has been tremendously successful. Cost-effective on-site capture of 80-95% of stormwater runoff, significant sewer overflow reductions and pollutant removal are the result of 10 years of green infrastructure policy and techniques (Centre for Neighborhood Technology 2007).
In addition to conservation measures, Portland has adopted an economic component which helps finance the management of stormwater runoff while providing an incentive for property owners to increase their permeable surface area. The Clean River Rewards Program allows stormwater utility ratepayers to offset up to 35% of their charge by registering on site rainwater retention or filtration practices (Centre for Neighborhood Technology 2007).
Basement flooding, the initial concern leading to stormwater management programs, is being remedied by an onsite green-tech project designed at 60% of infrastructure expansion costs (Centre for Neighborhood Technology 2007). The success of this program can be attributed to harmonization with municipal development policies, longevity and economic stimulus.
Further Reading
Thinking Beyond Pipes and Pumps: Top 10 Ways Communities Can Save Water and Money
10. Fix the leaks! – Reduce waste
9. Stop flushing the future
8. Make managing demand part of daily business
7. Link conservation to development
6. Price it right
5. Plan for sustainability
4. Look to the sky – Rainwater as the source
3. Close the urban water loop
2. Design communities for conservation
1. Educate, educate, educate
The Soft Path for Water in a Nutshell
· discusses the potential for this innovative approach to develop water sustainability in Canada
Book: Making the Most of the Water We Have
'The book provides a timely review of how political economies worldwide have been introducing soft path approaches. It is immensely strengthened by authors who introduced the idea to the water sector’- Dr. David Suzuki, Professor Emeritus, University of British Columbia, author, broadcaster
[1] Brooks. D.B. (2005) Beyond greater efficiency: the concept of soft paths, Canadian
Water Resources Journal 30-1 (Spring 2005). Pp. 1-10.
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