http://hdl.handle.net/10464/4090 2013-05-21T06:41:13Z 2013-05-21T06:41:13Z Renzetti, Steven Dupont, Diane http://hdl.handle.net/10464/4279 2013-04-29T15:07:49Z 2013-04-11T00:00:00Z

Buried Treasure: The Economics of Leak Detection and Water Loss Prevention in Ontario Renzetti, Steven; Dupont, Diane On average approximately 13% of the water that is withdrawn by Canadian municipal water suppliers is lost before it reaches final users. This is an important topic for several reasons: water losses cost money, losses force water agencies to draw more water from lakes and streams thereby putting more stress on aquatic ecosystems, leaks reduce system reliability, leaks may contribute to future pipe failures, and leaks may allow contaminants to enter water systems thereby reducing water quality and threatening the health of water users. Some benefits of leak detection fall outside water agencies’ accounting purview (e.g. reduced health risks to households connected to public water supply systems) and, as a result, may not be considered adequately in water agency decision-making. Because of the regulatory environment in which Canadian water agencies operate, some of these benefits-especially those external to the agency or those that may accrue to the agency in future time periods- may not be fully counted when agencies decide on leak detection efforts. Our analysis suggests potential reforms to promote increased efforts for leak detection: adoption of a Canada-wide goal of universal water metering; development of full-cost accounting and, pricing for water supplies; and co-operation amongst the provinces to promulgate standards for leak detection efforts and provide incentives to promote improved efficiency and rational investment decision-making.

2013-04-11T00:00:00Z Pickering, Kerrie PIckering, Gary J. Inglis, Debbie Shaw, Tony Plummer, Ryan http://hdl.handle.net/10464/4149 2012-11-30T07:00:38Z 2012-11-29T00:00:00Z

Innovation and adaptation in the Ontario grape and wine industry: An integrated, transdisciplinary response to climate change Pickering, Kerrie; PIckering, Gary J.; Inglis, Debbie; Shaw, Tony; Plummer, Ryan With scientific consensus supporting a 4oC increase in global mean temperature over the next century and increased frequency of severe weather events, adaptation to climate change is critical. Given the dynamic and complex nature of climate change, a transdisciplinary approach toward adaptation can create an environment that supports knowledge sharing and innovation, improving existing strategies and creating new ones. The Ontario wine industry provides a case study to illustrate the benefits of this approach. We describe the formation and work of the Ontario Grape and Wine Research Network within this context, and present some preliminary results to highlight the opportunities for innovation that will drive the successful adaption of the Ontario grape and wine industry.

2012-11-29T00:00:00Z Baird, Julia Carter, Blair Cave, Kate Dupont, Diane General, Paul King, Clynt Plummer, Ryan Varewyck, April http://hdl.handle.net/10464/4123 2012-11-12T16:14:47Z 2012-10-11T00:00:00Z

Gaining Insights About Water: The Value of Surveys in First Nations Communities to Inform Water Governance Baird, Julia; Carter, Blair; Cave, Kate; Dupont, Diane; General, Paul; King, Clynt; Plummer, Ryan; Varewyck, April Knowledge of how water is perceived, used and managed in a community is critical to the endeavour of water governance. Surveys of individuals residing in a community offer a valuable avenue to gain information about several of these aspects of water. This paper draws upon experiences in three First Nation communities to explore the values of surveys to illuminate water issues and inform water decision-making. Findings from experiences with surveys in Six Nations of the Grand River, Mississaugas of the New Credit, and Oneida First Nation of the Thames reveal rich information about how surveys can provide insights about: the connection of individuals to the land, water and their community; reasons for valuing water; perceptions of water quality and issues surrounding water-related advisories; and, degree of satisfaction with water management and governance at different scales. Community partners reflected upon the findings of the survey for their community. Dialogue was then broadened across the cases as the partners offer benefits and challenges associated with the survey. Community surveys offer an important tool in the resource managers’ toolbox to understand social perceptions of water and provide valuable insights that may assist in improving its governance.

2012-10-11T00:00:00Z