World Water Day and Canada Water Week were widely celebrated this year. In Toronto a diverse panel of experts gathered for a candid discussion about water issues related to agriculture, as well as food and beverage manufacturing. Canada, having been blessed with bountiful water resources, is increasingly seen as a strategic location to feed a growing planet. This is a large nation, where land, potash and freshwaters meet to create the perfect conditions to grow food: but not all is well.
"The World is Thirsty Because We Are Hungry" is the tagline from this year's international World Water Day. To discuss how that relates to Canadian issues, a panel organized by the Canadian Water Resources Association (CWRA) gathered in Toronto. Representatives from Steam Whistle Brewing, Nestl? Waters Canada, WWF-Canada, The Bloom Centre for Sustainability and the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy shared their insights on the subject. For an evening, water use in food production took a front seat; the dialogue raised concerns related to pricing, infrastructure, education, technology and policy.
THE ISSUES
What are the issues the Canadian food and beverage industry should pay attention to?
The biggest "looming disaster" is the current condition of municipal infrastructure. While companies such as Steam Whistle and Nestl? use spring waters as product ingredient, municipal infrastructure is relied upon for water and wastewater delivery and disposal in the product manufacturing processes. As water costs increase to fix municipal infrastructure, small to medium sized businesses suffer financial losses. Since most food and beverage manufacturers are small enterprises, the effects of price increases are felt all the more.
Interestingly, to save money companies need to invest in water efficiencies. However, as Kevin Jones of Bloom Centre for Sustainability noted, while the technology is here today, many businesses are not aware of readily available solutions. Education is a must; not only for new technologies but also the importance in understanding how much water is being used and discharged. Measuring water use in operations is surprisingly a relatively new concept in the industry.
The panel also explored the positive and negative implications of water markets, currently in existence in Southern Alberta, as well as the need for a national policy and vision around freshwater use.
MAKING THE CONNECTION
How do policy, pricing and education all connect to water security in food and beverage production?
Although not immediately apparent, the inability of most municipalities to gain control and implement upgrading to municipal infrastructure stems from inadequate water pricing which is directly linked to political priorities. To clarify, low water prices are prevalent in residential use, not among the food and beverage industry.
The simple truth is that Canadians need to reduce their water use and pay more for the resource. Without funds to ensure a well functioning infrastructure that moves water and wastewater to people and businesses, growth cannot be adequately maintained, and discharge to clean water bodies will continue.
The more food we need to grow for Canadians and the global markets, the greater our reliance on freshwater resources. The cleaner and healthier rivers, streams, lakes and aquifers the more sustainable they are. Long-term sustainability Canada's waters should be the goal, especially if demand for food continues to grow as projected.
While the speakers provided diverse views on the critical issues facing food production in Canada and globally, they all agreed political will and action is the missing link. Technology and education is key for water conservation. However, without adequate governance to provide vision and implement mechanisms for sustainable management, water and food security will remain a risk to business and people in Canada.
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This article is the final in a series on Water and Business in Canada.
1. Part I: Building A Case For Deeper Commitment
2. Part II: Managing Water Use in the Supply Chain
3. Part III: Water Technology & Innovation Gaining Stronger Ground
4. Part IV: How to Price Blue Gold: More Dollars Makes More Sense
5. Part V: World Water Day's Food-Water Nexus, an Important Issue for Canadian Companies
Canadian Water Resources Association (CWRA) is a national organization of individuals and organizations from the public, private and academic sectors that are committed to raising awareness of the value of water and to promoting responsible and effective water resource management in Canada.
International World Water Day is held annually on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.
Photo credit:One Drop (UN-Water World Water Day)
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