The status quo cannot be an option moving forward
We’re now less than two weeks (hopefully) from a resolution to Calgary’s prolonged water crisis, and (hopefully) sufficiently attuned to the challenges facing our system that we will be a step ahead of any future crises.
It’s hard to account for any surprises that might await as we navigate this mess in the short term, and a sense of complacency may settle back in once things have returned to normal.
This would be an ideal opportunity for Calgary to take a close look at the next level of smart meter technology for measuring water use — what’s known as advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) — meters that provide an ongoing and accurate reading of how much water is being used. Calgary has certainly taken steps in this direction, with most customers (but not all) now on meters. Those meters, though, still need to be read.
This could help us deal with the problem of water loss. A tremendous amount of water went to waste when the feeder main broke, but there’s serious concern about how much we’ve been unknowingly losing if the infrastructure has been fraying. That alone represents a major financial cost.
Better infrastructure and monitoring could help minimize the problem, but a more precise reading on how much water is coming out of the water treatment facilities and then used by consumers could give some real-time insight on what’s being lost along the way. Being aware of excessive loss could also call attention to the possibility of much more serious breaches (like the one we saw nearly three weeks ago). Furthermore, an accurate reading of household or business use could call attention to water loss or leakage at the individual level.
The experience elsewhere seems encouraging. For example, Washington City, Utah — with a fraction of Calgary’s population — managed to save 329 million litres in the first full year after implementing smart meters. Here in Canada, Sudbury, Ont., has successfully transitioned to smart meters and Moose Jaw, Sask., is about three-quarters of the way there.
There’s also the ability of technology to better manage water use when a shortage or crisis demands conservation. Calgary has imposed restrictions on outdoor water use, but it’s been a “pretty please” appeal to the altruistic nature of citizens when it comes to indoor water use. Even for those inclined to do their part, the idea of “reducing water use by 25 per cent” can seem unclear and confusing. If people can see and understand how their usage affects their bill, then those reductions are easier to achieve.
Moreover, as School of Public Policy economist Daria Crisan notes, dynamic pricing — that is, a higher price reflecting a shortage of supply — can be much more effective in reducing demand. It creates a financial incentive, and it penalizes those unwilling to make changes (without having to dispatch bylaw officers and their ticket books). Absent smart meters, though, there’s no real way to make use of such a mechanism.
As much as we’re hoping to avoid a repeat of the past few weeks, we could see similar problems in the future if we don’t learn the right lessons here and take a smarter approach.
“Afternoons with Rob Breakenridge” airs weekdays from 12:30 to 3 p.m. on QR Calgary Radio