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Questions and Answers
What is the primary challenge in water resource management mentioned?
What is the primary challenge in water resource management mentioned?
Which factors must be considered for effective water resource management?
Which factors must be considered for effective water resource management?
Who has primary jurisdiction over most areas of water management in Canada?
Who has primary jurisdiction over most areas of water management in Canada?
What role do municipalities play in water governance in Canada?
What role do municipalities play in water governance in Canada?
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Which aspect of water governance is primarily managed at the federal level in Canada?
Which aspect of water governance is primarily managed at the federal level in Canada?
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What is the significance of an integrated approach in water management?
What is the significance of an integrated approach in water management?
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What does water governance primarily involve?
What does water governance primarily involve?
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How does climate change impact water resource management?
How does climate change impact water resource management?
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Which aspect does NOT significantly impact water quality management?
Which aspect does NOT significantly impact water quality management?
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What defines 'good' water quality?
What defines 'good' water quality?
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Which type of pollution is generally harder to manage?
Which type of pollution is generally harder to manage?
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Which level of government in Canada has primary responsibility for water quality management?
Which level of government in Canada has primary responsibility for water quality management?
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What substances have been specifically addressed through legislation regarding water quality?
What substances have been specifically addressed through legislation regarding water quality?
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What is a key challenge in governance for water quality management?
What is a key challenge in governance for water quality management?
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Which regulatory framework enables collaboration in water management in Canada?
Which regulatory framework enables collaboration in water management in Canada?
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What is a common example of non-point-source pollution?
What is a common example of non-point-source pollution?
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What principle allows earlier licence holders to access their allocated water before later licence holders in Alberta's water allocation system?
What principle allows earlier licence holders to access their allocated water before later licence holders in Alberta's water allocation system?
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What is a key feature of the temporary or permanent water transfer system in Alberta?
What is a key feature of the temporary or permanent water transfer system in Alberta?
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Which group has higher priority over other users during drought conditions in the South Saskatchewan River Basin?
Which group has higher priority over other users during drought conditions in the South Saskatchewan River Basin?
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What do participants in water sharing during drought conditions have to do, in addition to receiving water allocations?
What do participants in water sharing during drought conditions have to do, in addition to receiving water allocations?
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What is a goal of water quality management in relation to pollution?
What is a goal of water quality management in relation to pollution?
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Who is held accountable in the strategy of water quality management?
Who is held accountable in the strategy of water quality management?
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Which of the following is true regarding water allocation during drought in Alberta?
Which of the following is true regarding water allocation during drought in Alberta?
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What framework does Alberta's water market operate under?
What framework does Alberta's water market operate under?
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What was identified as the principal cause of pollution in the Great Lakes during the early 1900s?
What was identified as the principal cause of pollution in the Great Lakes during the early 1900s?
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Which year marked the amendment of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement to focus more on toxic contaminants?
Which year marked the amendment of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement to focus more on toxic contaminants?
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Which of the following actions was NOT a focus of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement after the 2012 amendment?
Which of the following actions was NOT a focus of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement after the 2012 amendment?
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What were Areas of Concern (AOCs) primarily designated for?
What were Areas of Concern (AOCs) primarily designated for?
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What is the purpose of Remedial Action Plans (RAPs) as developed through the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement?
What is the purpose of Remedial Action Plans (RAPs) as developed through the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement?
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In which year was the International Joint Commission (IJC) established?
In which year was the International Joint Commission (IJC) established?
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What significant challenge does water quality management face when water crosses political boundaries?
What significant challenge does water quality management face when water crosses political boundaries?
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Which specific substance did the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement aim to limit through improved sewage treatment and detergent regulations?
Which specific substance did the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement aim to limit through improved sewage treatment and detergent regulations?
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What was one of the primary responsibilities of Conservation Authorities (CAs) as outlined in the Conservation Authorities Act of 1946?
What was one of the primary responsibilities of Conservation Authorities (CAs) as outlined in the Conservation Authorities Act of 1946?
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What prompted the provincial government to begin mapping flood zones in Ontario?
What prompted the provincial government to begin mapping flood zones in Ontario?
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What was one significant outcome of mapping completed in the mid-1990s regarding flood plain management in Ontario?
What was one significant outcome of mapping completed in the mid-1990s regarding flood plain management in Ontario?
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What was a consequence of the termination of the Flood Disaster Recovery Program in the late 1990s?
What was a consequence of the termination of the Flood Disaster Recovery Program in the late 1990s?
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Why would participating governments withhold disaster assistance payments for structures built in vulnerable areas?
Why would participating governments withhold disaster assistance payments for structures built in vulnerable areas?
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Study Notes
Water Resource Management
- Ensuring sustainable water management is a key challenge
- Maintain adequate freshwater supply
- Suitable quality for economic activities and human well-being
- Support aquatic and other ecosystems
- Protecting against droughts and floods
- These threats are compounded by climate change
- Maintain adequate freshwater supply
- An integrated approach is needed, including:
- Management of water and water-related ecosystems
- Collaboration in transboundary river basins
Water Governance in Canada
- Shared responsibility between federal, provincial/territorial, and local levels
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Provinces/Territories: Primary jurisdiction over most areas of water management and protection
- Water use is permitted or licensed under provincial water management authorities
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Municipalities: Often delegated authority by provinces, especially for:
- Drinking water treatment and distribution
- Wastewater treatment operations in urban areas
- Other Local Authorities: Some water management functions may be delegated by provinces
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Federal Jurisdiction:
- Conservation and protection of oceans and their resources
- Fisheries
- Navigation
- International relations, including management of boundary waters with the US
Managing Water Quantity (Water-Short Regions)
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Alberta's Prior Allocation System: First-in-Time, First-in-Right
- Thousands of licences for surface and groundwater
- Issued to municipalities, agricultural operations, golf courses, oil companies, etc.
- Licences have priority numbers
- Older licences have higher priority, granting access to allocated water before newer licences
- Thousands of licences for surface and groundwater
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Water Allocation Transfers: Mechanisms to temporarily or permanently transfer water allocations
- Particularly relevant in basins with moratoriums on new licenses
- Water prices are negotiated between buyer and seller (water market)
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Drought Management:
- 13 irrigation districts in the South Saskatchewan River Basin have higher priority than other users
- Commit to temporarily assigning allocated water to other users (e.g. communities, livestock operators)
- All participants are expected to share the burden of water shortages through conservation efforts
- 13 irrigation districts in the South Saskatchewan River Basin have higher priority than other users
Water Quality Management
- Preventing and reducing pollution from all sources
- Integrating water quality considerations in agricultural and other policies
- Treating wastewater effectively
- Holding polluters and users accountable
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Water Quality: Physical, chemical, and biological properties
- Naturally variable (e.g., mineral content in groundwater, sediment content in surface water)
- Can be impacted by human activities
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Definition of "Good" Water: Depends on intended use and acceptable risk levels
- Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines provide recommended maximum levels of various substances in drinking water
Water Quality Management in Canada: Challenges
- Involves multiple levels of government and water users
- Point-source pollution:
- Historical focus, significant progress in end-of-pipe treatment of waste
- Reduction of toxic substances through bans and process changes
- Ongoing introduction of new chemicals into the environment
- Non-point-source pollution:
- More challenging to manage due to lack of identifiable sources
- Examples: washing of contaminants from fields and roads, atmospheric deposition
Water Quality Management Responsibilities
- Provinces: Primary responsibility
-
Federal Government: Responsibilities related to:
- Boundary and interprovincial waters
- Aboriginal communities
- Quality of fish habitat
- Municipalities: Provision of drinking water and sewage treatment
International Water Quality Management
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Great Lakes Basin (US-Canada)
- By 1900: Typhoid outbreaks and reduced fish populations due to eutrophic conditions
- 1909/1912: International Joint Commission (IJC) established to investigate pollution and recommend remedies -> Focus on chlorination for drinking water
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1972: US-Canada Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA):
- Shared priorities and actions to restore and protect the Great Lakes
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1978: Revised GLWQA:
- Emphasis on toxic contaminants and an ecosystem approach
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1987: Amended GLWQA:
- Focus on human and aquatic ecosystem health, Remedial Action Plans (RAPs), and lakewide management plans
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2012: Amended GLWQA:
- New measures addressing nutrients, toxic contaminants, invasive species, habitat loss, and climate change impacts
Flood Management
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Ontario's Approach:
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1946: Conservation Authorities Act establishing Conservation Authorities (CAs)
- Organized around watersheds, mandate for natural resource management
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1954: Hurricane Hazel led to:
- Flood zone mapping
- Some municipalities prohibiting construction in hazard zones
- 1956: CAs gained authority to regulate alterations and development in flood plains
- Mid-1990s: Extensive mapping completed, 200 areas zoned as hazard areas
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1946: Conservation Authorities Act establishing Conservation Authorities (CAs)
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Flood Risk Reduction Program (FDRP):
- Collaborative efforts involving federal, provincial, and territorial governments
- Non-structural approaches:
- Mapping flood plains
- Zoning land to direct development out of flood plains
- Flood-proofing vulnerable structures
- Removal of structures at risk
- Relocation of structures
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FDRP Termination: Terminated in the late 1990s due to financial reasons
- Mapping now outdated
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Ontario's Continued Efforts:
- Conservation Authorities continue flood plain management
- Ongoing efforts despite the end of the FDRP
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Description
This quiz explores the challenges and strategies of sustainable water management in Canada. It covers the roles of various governance levels, including federal, provincial, and municipal responsibilities in managing water resources. Delve into topics such as freshwater supply, ecosystem support, and the impacts of climate change on water governance.
