Dear Shari Sookhoo: The…

Dear Shari Sookhoo:

The Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority (GRCA) supports the extension of the moratorium on water bottling permits currently proposed by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (EBR #013-3974). Further research into the complex dynamics of the hydrological cycle is very much required as emphasized in the current moratorium (EBR #012-8783). Water resource management is a complex multi-faceted interface between arguably the most valuable resource – water – and human interests and requirements. In order to provide the necessary knowledge base to inform and enable effective decision-making, a more thorough understanding of the hydrological cycle is crucial in order to realize the true economic potential of such a valuable resource for the long-term.

Public awareness pertaining to water shortage and droughts has increased in recent years as evidenced in news media. Such advances in the collective understanding of the importance of water resource management at both the local and provincial level is sufficient cause for furthering the understanding of the impacts of water-taking as it relates to ecology, human health and the economy.

The current legislation on water takings and droughts should be valued as starting point for furthering the conversation between policy and relevant fields of science. The steps to further develop policies and measures to address water shortage, drought issues and water takings will likely require further thorough risk assessments under a changing climate. Conservation Authorities are proven effective stewards of a wealth of data and information of such events and their impacts on water resources at watershed level. At present time, drought events have often been resolved by way of crisis management approach as a direct result of a pronounced lack of awareness of extreme events. This should be taken as direct evidence that the interplay between economic and social demands is currently not being addressed at a systematic level.

In relation to responding to drought conditions with respect to water takings during low water conditions as per the Ontario Low Water Response program, the integration of a risk hazard assessment matrix may be helpful to cumulatively take into account all related concerns, such as natural, socioeconomic, industrial, commercial, population density, etc. to provide a decision making tool to prioritize potential temporary, long-term or permanent prohibition of any water taking flagging non-essential groundwater takings depending on the severity of the drought condition.

It is collectively understood that there exists a high probability that global mean temperatures will increase by between two and six degrees by 2100. These changes in mean temperature will have severe impacts – both known and unknown – on the water cycle. It is not only the change in precipitation patterns, but also the extent and severity of extreme events thereby putting people and property at risk. There is an urgent need to include the impacts of global climate change into water governance in order to determine spatial patterns of socio-economic and ecological vulnerability of ecosystems and human communities. Therefore, it is recommended that a guidance document, which effectively considers water takings at the local watershed scale, be drafted and implemented in all relevant decision making.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on the proposal to extend the current moratorium on the issuance of new or increasing permits to take water for water bottling in Ontario. Should you have any questions about this letter, please contact Jessica Mueller at extension 222.

Sincerely,

Jessica Mueller, PhD, P.Geo.
Watershed Hydrogeologist