Sept 24 - Water Cafe Media Release

Consultation program to look 40 years into the future of water

NEWMARKET - " The Regional Municipality of York is embarking on an innovative consultation program to analyze the future of water use in the Region. The program’s goal is to look forward 40 years to determine how York Region and our residents will use and protect valuable water resources.

“York Region has spearheaded an ambitious consultation on the future use of water. We are helping lead the way to make Ontario meet its goal of becoming the leading clean water jurisdiction in North America,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Bill Fisch. “Our Water for Tomorrow program has achieved remarkable results in water conservation and this strategy will continue that work and help shape our future.”

The first phase of the Long-Term Water Conservation Strategy includes:

Attendance at fall fairs and community celebrations to gather opinions on the future of water from York Region residents
Water Cafés bringing together representatives from First Nations, residents, business, health care, education and community members to discuss and shape York Region’s water future; each café will focus on a different aspect of the future use of water
Planning sessions to discuss water reuse opportunities, planning policies and water conservation pricing
Launch of www.openwater.ca a forum to gather opinions from residents and others who are interested in the future of water use in York Region
News articles, written by water conservation experts, which will invite residents and others to respond to innovative ideas on the future of water and conservation efforts
A film project to engage youth on the future of water use

“This is an impressive plan to help shape how York Region will use and interact with water over the next few decades,” said City of Vaughan Regional Councillor Mario Ferri, Chair of the Region’s Environmental Services Committee. “We look forward to our residents’ participating in the process and helping to define how we approach water use in the future.”

The Long-Term Water Conservation Strategy will complement and build upon The Water Opportunities and Water Conservation Act, tabled by Ontario’s Minister of Environment May 18, 2010. This consultation will determine how the Region can lead the way and guide others on best practices for protecting and conserving water well into the future.

Feedback from the first phase of the project will be gathered and analyzed by the Region and forwarded to the province as part of the long-term strategy.

For more information on The Regional Municipality of York, please visit www.york.ca

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The Regional Municipality of York begins consultation on Long-Term Water Conservation Strategy