Whereas fresh water is a finite resource that is being consumed faster than it can be replenished; And whereas the conservation of water is a shared responsibility between the Province and local government and the vast majority of wastewater flows back to the natural environment without being treated or re-used: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the provincial government to implement provincial policy that requires, where reasonably available, the use of reclaimed water for operations such as dust control, agricultural irrigation, and industrial uses, prior to the use of potable or fresh water.
Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy The Municipal Wastewater Regulation has robust reclaimed water guidelines which have been in place since 1999. The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy produced a companion guide for the reclaimed water guidelines in 2013 to support proponents looking to include water reuse into their wastewater infrastructure. The companion guide includes specific requirements and suggestions on the use of reclaimed water for operations such as dust control, agricultural irrigation and industrial uses. The Province encourages proponents to consider using reclaimed water in place of potable or fresh water for industrial, agricultural and other uses where it is reasonably available.