New report highlights innovative water solutions for municipalities and regions across Canada

Report focuses on how Canadian cities can become a Water Sustainable City of the Near Future

Canada faces an estimated cost of $88 billion water and wastewater infrastructure deficit and this estimate is expected to grow under a “business as usual” approach.

The Blue Economy Initiative (BEI) has released a new reportBlue City: The Water-Sustainable City of the Near Future, authored by Econics. This visionary report is built on the interviews of 17 water-related professionals in Canada who share their views on what a water-sustainable city might look like and the success stories of existing projects.

Grounded in research, design, and innovation, this report will help policy-makers, government officials, businesses and community leaders create tangible solutions for sustainable water management on a national and global scale.

“This report is a timely and fascinating look at how communities can move forward with water as a central theme.” notes Shari Austin, Vice President, Corporate Citizenship, RBC and BEI partner. “There are excellent cases of successful water projects that communities have already implemented.”

“We were fortunate to speak with a diverse, distinguished and multi-disciplinary cast. It was remarkable to note similar themes in our discussions with them” said Kirk Stinchcombe, Co-Founder of Econics and lead author.  “The report focuses on real measures and solutions of urban water issues that exist today. This is a very tangible report on a common vision and shared innovations.”

As record infrastructure costs grow, the need for innovative solutions alongside innovative funding mechanisms are increasingly in demand. Canadians are feeling, first-hand, the changes that need to be made within their own communities. For regions and municipalities in Canada, this report is a strategic tool for creating a business case and framework for their own water-sustainable city.

The report features interviews with high level managers, executive directors, and researchers from innovative organizations, including IBM, City of Toronto, Halifax Water and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

About the Blue Economy Initiative

The project seeks to inspire dialogue among Canadian decision-makers and key influencers around the opportunities and benefits of preserving water, and the economic risks of not making sustainable decisions.

BEI’s goal is to build the business case for water sustainability by strengthening our understanding of the value of water. The long-term vision is for Canada to have a prosperous future as a global leader in water stewardship.