Spotlight On
The National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy has released their report Charting a Course: Sustainable Water Use by Canada’s Natural Resource Sectors.
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The Blue Economy Initiative is a new project that aims to shed light on the connection between water and our economy. The Initiative was founded by the Royal Bank of Canada, the Canadian Water Network, and the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation. The Initiative has released the report, Running Through Our Fingers. The report is an attempt by two of Canada’s best environmental economists, Steven Renzetti and Diane Dupont, and award-winning journalist Chris Wood to quantify the value of water's contribution to the Canadian economy. In the 25 years since a similar analysis was done, the country's economy has almost doubled, yet water's measured contribution to it has apparently declined. The paper makes it clear that we lack the data needed to properly account for this value and without it we may be letting our most valuable asset slip away. |
The Canadian Water Network is seeking interest from organizations involved in water policy and management to become actively involved and co-invest in research projects.
Becoming a partner with CWN means that research projects are developed to address your needs. It also brings you into contact with peers and other organizations with similar challenges, who are interested in similar outcomes and with whom you may be able to share both experience and investments.
CWN is currently receiving expressions of interest from the Canadian research community in two focus areas — municipal water management and securing source waters.
If your organization is interested in opportunities to advance knowledge in your areas of concern, and where joining co-investors might provide value, CWN invites you to participate in our partner-to-research matching forum this November.
To learn more and to find out how your organization can participate, please click on the area of interest below.
Canadian Municipal Water Consortium
Secure Source Waters Consortium
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The Council of the Federation’s Water Stewardship Council has launched an online initiative called Canada’s Water InfoStream to enhance the co-operation and sharing of information on water at the national level. Canada’s Water InfoStream is an online listing of major provincial, territorial and federal government water resources. The online catalogue acts as a communications tool to help spread the word to researchers, policy makers and the public at large about water data and information relevant to their interests and needs, both locally and nationally. |
Alberta Environment’s Guide to Groundwater Authorization clarifies the process applicants must follow when applying to divert groundwater. This updated guide lists the administrative and technical requirements that need to be met to obtain authorization to divert groundwater, directs applicants to a monitoring and reporting system where they can report the results of conditions attached to their authorization, and clarifies the distinction between replacement wells and supplementary wells.
Alberta Environment’s Online Water Use Reporting System Instructional Video - This instructional video is intended to provide first-time users with a step-by-step guide on how to access Alberta Environment’s Online Water Use Reporting System (WUR System) and how to enter their water use data online. To access the WUR system, users will require their PIN number and temporary enrolment ID provided to them by Alberta Environment’s Regulatory Approvals Centre. The Approvals Centre may be contacted at (780) 427-6311.
Alberta Environment’s Water Use Reporting System – Water Measurement Guidebook - Alberta Environment’s Water Use Reporting System allows licensees to report their water diversions online. The Guidebook provides a method for measuring water diversions for those licensees who do not have water meters. Data obtained will help better manage resources and establish baseline numbers against which improvements in conservation, efficiency, and productivity can be measured.
The newly revised Facts About Water In Alberta helps inform Albertans about the province’s water and some of the current challenges facing Alberta’s water resources. Through increased awareness and understanding, Albertans can act as stewards to protect and conserve our water resources ensuring the goals of Water for Life: Alberta’s Strategy for Sustainability are realized. The booklet is available online through the Alberta Environment Information Centre. Hardcopies may also be obtained by contacting the information centre at (780) 427-2700 (toll-free dial 310-0000) or through e-mail at env.infocent@gov.ab.ca.
