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Water Economics, Policy and Governance Network (WEPGN) Resources
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The Water Economics, Policy and Governance Network (WEPGN) brings together researchers and partners to share ideas, identify challenges, and develop new knowledge to improve the management of water resources in Canada and abroad. This collection of resources represents reports and archived resources from the projects homepage: https://www.wepgn.org
Recent Submissions
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A pilot project to develop an integrated Canadian hydro-economic modelGovernments in Canada currently do not have the capacity to analyze the two-way relationship between economic activities and hydrologic conditions at the river basin level. Canada also does not have an integrated hydro-economic computer model for practical policy and decision-making towards sustainable water use. This project will demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of developing such integrated models. Furthermore, the model will provide governments with new ways to assess both the implications of economic development strategies on water resources and the implications of water allocation policies on local economic activity.
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A Social Network Analysis For Knowledge Integration and Extension of WEPGN ResearchSolutions for complex water challenges not only require the development of novel data collection and modeling tools, but also the creation of strong research clusters and innovative knowledge mobilization instruments. There is a need to understand the focus and nature of interdisciplinary collaborative research, as well as the functionality and collaborative nature of the networks of researchers, extension and integration of partnerships. Deriving these solutions is essential for the integration and extension of research knowledge beyond disciplinary silos so that deeper understanding and relationship building between those who make water policy decisions and those who are impacted by them can be made.
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Analyse des coûts évités dans les services d’eau par l’atténuation des risques de feux de forêtLes bassins versants forestiers sont gravement menacés par les feux de forêt dans l’ouest du Canada. La majeure partie de l’eau de surface utilisée par la population de l’Alberta provient du versant est des montagnes Rocheuses, dans le sud-ouest de la province. L’augmentation récente de l’ampleur et de la gravité des incendies de forêt, conjuguée à la demande en eau, se traduisent par un besoin pressant d’évaluer les risques que présentent ces incendies pour l’eau potable traitée et distribuée en aval. Les travaux réalisés dans le cadre de ce projet permettront de mieux coordonner la gestion des terres et les activités des services publics afin d’assurer la protection et le traitement appropriés de l’eau potable en Alberta, et éventuellement dans d’autres zones sujettes aux incendies de forêt, comme la Colombie- Britannique.
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Analysis of Avoided Water Utility Costs from Wildfire Risk MitigationForested watersheds are severely threatened by wildfire in western Canada. The eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains in southwestern Alberta produce the majority of surface water supplies supporting Alberta’s population, and recent increases in magnitude and severity of wildfires along with provincial water demand result in a pressing need to evaluate wildfire risk to downstream drinking water supply and treatment. Work from this project will better enable the coordination of land management and utility operations to ensure appropriate protection and treatment of drinking water in Alberta and potentially other wildfire-prone areas such as British Columbia.
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Appliquer l’analyse de la résilience à un réseau hydrographique transfrontalier : le développement de substituts pour la gouvernanceL’incertitude et la complexité ont favorisé une évolution vers la perspective des systèmes adaptatifs complexes. La résilience socioécologique s’intéresse, conceptuellement, à la quantité de changement qu’un système peut supporter, au degré d’auto-organisation possible et à la capacité d’apprentissage et d’adaptation. La compréhension des seuils et les changements de régime sont essentiels pour l’adaptabilité et les transformations. D’un point de vue méthodologique, l’analyse et la mesure de la résilience faisaient appel à des trajectoires ou cadres pour la modélisation du système à l’étude et pour le développement de substituts de la résilience. L’application de la résilience et de ses processus analytiques a été principalement développée pour les écosystèmes. L’application de la résilience au monde social est originale et exige des considérations additionnelles. Il est donc possible de se concentrer sur des aspects de la gouvernance et de prendre appui sur les travaux antérieurs abordant la résilience de réseaux hydrographiques.
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Applying Resilience Analysis to a Transboundary River System: Developing Surrogates for GovernanceUncertainty and complexity has prompted movement towards a complex adaptive systems viewpoint. Social-ecological resilience is conceptually concerned with the amount of change a system can withstand, the degree of self-organization possible, and the ability to learn and adapt. Understanding thresholds and regimes shifts are critical to adaptability and transformations. Methodologically, resilience analysis and measurement has involved pathways or frameworks for modeling the system of interest and developing resilience surrogates. Application of resilience and its analytical processes have primarily been developed for ecosystems. Application of resilience to the social world is unique and requires additional considerations. An opportunity thus exists to focus on aspects of governance and to build upon initial works addressing the resilience of river systems.
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Évaluation des politiques en vue d’améliorer la qualité de l’eau dans les paysages agricolesL’Île-du-Prince-Édouard (Î.-P.-É.) présente une dépendance écologique et économique unique envers la qualité de l’eau, qui est affectée directement par les systèmes agricoles. Les résidents de l’île tirent leur eau potable uniquement de l’eau souterraine, et cette dernière contribue à hauteur d’environ 70 % aux eaux de surface comme les ruisseaux, les rivières et les estuaires. La dépendance des écosystèmes et des résidents de l’Î.-P.-É. envers la qualité de l’eau souterraine coexiste avec un secteur agricole intensif qui revêt une grande importance pour l’économie de la province. La pomme de terre est cultivée sur plus de 40 % des 1,4 million d’acres (567 000 hectares) de terres cultivables, et cette denrée génère plus de 75 % des recettes totales provenant de cette terre cultivée. Le recours massif à l’azote pour produire ces cultures à valeur élevée sur les sols sablonneux de l’Î.-P.-É. a entraîné une importante contamination de l’eau souterraine par le nitrate. Bien que le problème des nitrates excessifs et de la qualité de l’eau ait incité des hydrogéologues et des agronomes à étudier l’impact des pratiques de gestion du territoire agricole sur les lixiviats de nitrate au moyen de techniques de modélisation hydrologique, les chercheurs ont effectué peu d’analyses économiques sur les meilleures pratiques de gestion visant à aborder le problème
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Assessing Policies to Improve Water Quality in Agricultural LandscapesPrince Edward Island (PEI) has a unique ecological and economic dependence on water quality, which is affected directly by the agricultural systems used. PEI residents rely solely on groundwater as its source of drinking water, and groundwater contributes approximately 70% to surface waters such as streams, rivers, and estuaries. The reliance on the quality of groundwater in PEI by ecosystems and residents coexists within an intensive agricultural sector that is economically important to the province. Potatoes are grown on over 40% of the 1.4 million acre land base and the crop generates over 75% of the total cash receipts from this cropland. The heavy reliance of nitrogen for this high-value crop grown on the sandy soils of PEI has resulted in significant groundwater nitrate contamination. While the problem of excess nitrates and water quality has attracted the attention of hydrogeologists and agronomists to research the impact of agricultural land management practices on nitrate leachate using hydrologic modelling techniques, little economic analyses on the BMPs to alleviate the problem have been conducted.
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ASSESSING POLICIES TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY IN AGRICULTURAL LANDSCAPESIn this report, the term “nitrate” refers to nitrate-nitrogen (NO3--N). Agricultural production depends on nutrient applications that supplement nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium to soils. However, residual nutrients from these applications may run off into surface water and cause eutrophication and algae blooms, or leach into groundwater and cause contamination. Excessive levels of nitrates in drinking water have also been linked to methaemoglobinaemia, or blue baby syndrome.1 Land and nutrient management policies and programs - which can be championed by governments and local watershed associations, conservation authorities and other
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ASSESSING POLICIES TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY IN AGRICULTURAL LANDSCAPESAgricultural activities depend on applications of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium to soils. However, these nutrients may leach into groundwater or run off into surface water, with a detrimental effect on water quality in the watershed. Location-specific knowledge about the costs of beneficial management practices (BMPs) and how farmers make nutrient management decisions are needed to develop and implement effective water quality policies, programs and incentives. This information is important for federal and provincial governments, conservation authorities, environmental non-governmental organizations, farmers and others concerned with nutrient loading to surface waters.
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Au-delà de la réalité physique : répercussions de la réglementation des eaux sur les collectivités des Premières NationsLe nombre accru de maisons de campagne sur le territoire de la Première Nation Dakota de Standing Buffalo exerce des pressions croissantes sur ses ressources en eau, sur l’évacuation de ses eaux usées vers le réseau hydrographique, ainsi que sur la gestion des barrages Qu’Appelle et Gardiner, ce qui modifie les débits et niveaux d’eau et entraîne une augmentation des inondations. Au moment où le projet a été lancé, la collectivité était très préoccupée par les répercussions éventuelles d’une proposition présentée par une société minière multinationale qui souhaitait prélever de l’eau du lac Katepwa dans le cadre de ses activités d’exploitation de gisements de potasse. La collectivité craignait que cela ait des incidences sur la qualité et le niveau de l’eau, ainsi que sur ses activités traditionnelles et culturelles ayant trait à l’eau. Les premières réunions avec le chef et le conseil de bande ont également fait ressortir les risques que comportent les inondations saisonnières pour la sécurité publique, les maisons et les infrastructures essentielles, ainsi que les pressions considérables sur les ressources de la bande que représente la mise en place de mesures d’urgence. Peu de temps après le début du projet de recherche, la société minière a renoncé à sa proposition de prélèvement d’eau. Toutefois, la bande de Standing Buffalo souhaitait tout de même explorer la signification de l’eau pour sa collectivité, ainsi que l’importance et la valeur que revêt cette ressource (et le milieu naturel environnant) pour sa culture et ses traditions. De par son emplacement géographique, la réserve est exposée à des répercussions permanentes et croissantes relatives à l’eau, imputables à la fois à des changements anthropiques et naturels de l’environnement
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Beyond Physical: Impacts of Water Regulations in First Nations CommunitiesIn Standing Buffalo Dakota First Nation, there is increasing pressure on water resources by increased cottage development, sewage disposal to the river system, management of the Qu’Appelle and Gardiner Dams, impacting water flows and levels and increased flooding events. At the time this project was initiated, the community had serious concerns about the impacts of a proposal from a multinational potash mining company to withdraw water from Katepwa Lake for use in mining operations. The community was concerned with the impact on water quality, water level, and traditional and cultural activities pertaining to water. Initial meetings with Chief and Council also revealed that seasonal flooding threatens human safety, homes, and critical infrastructure, and the implementation of emergency measures puts considerable strain on the Band’s resources. Shortly after this research project began, the mining company withdrew their proposal to withdraw water. However, Standing Buffalo remained interested in exploring the significance of water to the community and the ways in which water (and the surrounding natural environment) is important and valuable to the community’s culture and traditions. Given the geographic location of the reserve, there are ongoing and potentially increasing impacts related to water that could arise from both anthropogenic and natural changes in the environment
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ACCESSIBILITY, QUALITY AND SAFETY OF LIARD FIRST NATION’S DRINKING WATER SUPPLYSafe drinking water is a pressing health issue for First Nations reserves in Canada. The number of water-borne infections in First Nations communities is 26 times higher than the rest of the Canadian population. Approximately 30% of First Nation community water treatment plants are in a high-risk category, meaning their systems have deficiencies that pose a risk to the water quality. The use of private wells, truck-to-cistern delivery of water, and smaller distribution systems are not included in these statistics. The federal government has provided assessments, training programs and funding to help First Nations communities make their drinking water safe but their impacts have been limited to date. The Liard First Nation (LFN) is located near Watson Lake, a town in the Liard River Ecoregion of the Yukon Territory, Canada. It is located within the Mackenzie River drainage basin and a white-spruce subarctic boreal forest. There are two local governments—the town of Watson Lake and the LFN. The LFN is part of the Kaska Nation which governs the villages of Upper Liard, Albert Creek, 2 Mile, 2.5 Mile and Windid Lake. The citizens of LFN have a number of concerns about the quality of water in their community. These include the contamination of their water sources through garbage dumping, mining and fracking, industrial activity, human waste, and flooding. LFN citizens rely on groundwater sources for their drinking water; these sources include private wells or truck-haul to cisterns with water from the LFN water treatment facility.
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ACCESSIBILITY, QUALITY AND SAFETY OF LIARD FIRST NATION’S DRINKING WATER SUPPLYSafe drinking water has a major influence on health. Federal and provincial governments have provided programs and funding to help First Nations communities make drinking water safe, but First Nations communities still experience more water-related health problems than non-First Nations groups in Canada. Liard First Nation (LFN) is a community located in Watson Lake, Yukon Territory. LFN has an established public drinking water system with effective regulations, regular water sampling and certified operators for their drinking water treatment plant and water truck delivery. This project collected information on the Liard First Nation’s (LFN) access to and opinions about drinking water, as well as took steps to measure the drinking water safety and sustainability in Watson Lake, in order to help community leaders make decisions about drinking water supply, management and policy.
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Bottled Water Use On the Land: Economic, Social and Policy Implications of Water Consumption Choices While Pursuing Livelihoods and Undertaking Recreational ActivitiesDefensive expenditures on bottled water for home use are related to: incomes, aesthetics (taste, convenience) and health risk perceptions (Dupont and Jahan, 2010; Lloyd-Smith et al., 2014). The previous literature is silent on two issues of relevance to WEPGN’s mandate of improving understanding of water’s role in Canadian society and economy. The first issue is identifying what are the determinants of water consumption choices on the land (particularly, water used in pursuit of livelihoods and/or recreational activities that require travel from home, including trapping, hunting and fishing practices). The second is an investigation of water choices and health risk perceptions of individuals in Canada’s Northern communities. Nickels et al., (2006) notes the use of bottled water by Aboriginal peoples as a substitute for streams/rivers due to perceptions of poor water quality. Project partners are interested in learning whether this is an increasing phenomenon in the Northwest Territories (NWT). This is of concern for two reasons: such expenditures may be wasteful for individuals and also result in potential pollution. The research team will design and implement a survey to elicit perceptions and relate them to defensive expenditures. Researchers will also examine methods for communicating and eliciting risk perceptions to provide the project partners with knowledge to improve communications about water quality. This research will inform decisions around programming, specifically, source water protection planning.
