Current challenges and trends in the Western Canada water market

The sustainability and resiliency of water systems are among the most pressing concerns in Western Canada and around the world. We are experiencing complex and interrelated challenges associated with:

• Climate change, including more extreme weather events, floods, droughts, decreased snowpack, more frequent and intense storms, heatwaves and wildfires
• Population growth and changing lifestyles
• Water pollution and degraded watershed health
• Social equity and reconciliation with First Nations
• Challenging economic environment coupled with historic underinvestment in infrastructure, rising systems costs, maintenance backlogs, and limited financial resources,
• Changing technology and regulations

Because these issues are interconnected, using an Integrated Water Management (IWM) approach to water challenges is essential. This means approaching the water system holistically, as One Water (with a view of the complete water cycle including water supply, wastewater and stormwater), rather than narrowly focusing on single components of a water system. There is a wealth of evidence out there showing a 'whole systems' approach leads to better outcomes for people, the environment, and the economy.

While this sounds intuitive, the reality is, it is hard to implement in practice because our institutions and policies and regulations anchor and reinforce the traditional approaches that focus on just one part of the system at a time.

Over the next decade, the Western Canada water service providers will be making significant investments and strategic decisions. Incorporating an IWM approach in these decisions and investments will shape the future of water and whether we achieve climate resilience, improved environmental outcomes, create livable cities, meet rising service expectations, or foster reconciliation and social equity, incorporating an IWM approach will shape water's future.

GHD is a global leader in IWM and has a unique set of service offerings to help clients wherever they are on their IWM journey. I will continue to serve as our North America IWM Service Line coordinator in addition to this new role. I am excited to expand GHD's water capabilities and solutions in Western Canada and continue GHD's momentum in our water business journey of growth and innovation.