Sustainability Principles for Water and Wastewater Planning

To support the Region's Sustainability Strategy, a set of guiding principles were developed to ensure that the Water and Wastewater Master Plan — and all subsequent plans — will encourage sustainable servicing practices in the Region of York. The Water and Wastewater Sustainability Strategy is based on three main components:

            1.   Current water and wastewater regulatory requirements, such as the Clean Water Act, the Safe Dinking Water Act, and the Environmental Protection Act

             

2.   Existing York Region policies, programs, and practices, including Water for Tomorrow, which is York Region's water efficiency program. The objective of this program is to reduce the demand for water by more than 19 million litres per day. Another program, aimed at reducing infiltration and inflow to the sewage collection system, is being carried out jointly by the Region and area municipalities. The overall goal of the multi-year program is to reduce peak wet weather inflow and infiltration.

 

            3.   A review of best practices of jurisdictions here in Canada and around the world, to take

            advantage of lessons learned elsewhere about sustainable water and wastewater servicing, and to identify those best practices that would benefit the unique features and circumstances of York Region. The investigation considered experiences from Canada (Edmonton, Hamilton, and Vancouver), the United States (Chicago and Phoenix), the United Kingdom (WaterUK), and Australia (Sydney). These jurisdictions were chosen based on the challenges they face (for example, limited raw water supplies) and leadership they have demonstrated in the delivery of sustainable water and wastewater services. The investigation revealed a common themes among the jurisdictions, in par-ticular commitments to:

             

            • Delivering clean drinking water and protecting raw water quality;

            • Protecting and conserving natural resources;

            • Proactively managing water and wastewater infrastructure; and,

            • Collaboration, open communication and public involvement.

To view the Sustainability Principles for Water and Wastewater, please visit the following link:

1. Water and Wastewater Sustainability Strategy - Overview Report [1.1 mb]