Assessment:
Chapter 9

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Water

Executive Summary

In Canada, "strategic resource" is a term that we seldom associate with water. With nearly 9 percent of the world's supply of renewable fresh water within our borders, water management in Canada continues to be influenced by the deeply held belief that the supply is infinite. However, fresh water sources are becoming increasingly stressed, a problem compounded by the effects of climate change. Concordia's water is supplied free of charge by the city of Montreal, whose aging infrastructure loses up to 50% of treated water in pipeline leaks. As a result, Montreal's water consumption is substantially higher than any other similar-sized North American city, earning the city the title of "Capital of Water Waste in North America."

Concordia consumes large amounts of water daily; unfortunately this amount is not currently tracked because there is no financial incentive to do so. The situation has changed since the Water chapter was researched, and the city has recently announced that by 2010, water will be metered for institutional, commercial, and industrial users. The cost of water will be between $1.20 and $1.60 per cubic meter, a relatively high cost, which will help promote efficient usage. Facilities Management at Concordia is already using this number to justify investment in efficient equipment.

Key Directions

• Proactively begin evaluating & tracking water use in preparation for consumption fees implemented by the city of Montreal. Experiment to find the most effective ways to reduce water consumption on both campuses.

• Design new building projects with efficient water use, especially for cooling needs.

• Consider a longer payback period when purchasing water efficient equipment.