Province Information - Saskatchewan, Canada

Saskatchewan is considered to have abundant supplies of high quality water. However, the vast majority of surface water supplies are located in northern Saskatchewan, and the majority of the population resides in the southern half of the province. In the populated southern portion of the province, about 11.3 percent of water from the Saskatchewan River Basin is allocated for use in agriculture, communities, industry, mining, thermal power, and oil/gas. Drought is a frequent occurrence in the prairies, which places considerable strain on the agricultural sector in particular. Saskatchewan's Water Conservation Plan, released in November 2006, emphasizes government leading by example, partnering with communities, agriculture, and industry, and public education. As a result of the plan, some innovative initiatives have been developed. A partnership with Saskatchewan Health, Saskatchewan Environment, and Saskatchewan Enterprise and Innovation has created a Water Recycling and Reuse Advisory Group to develop a process for the approval of grey water systems and other water recycling technologies. The province’s “Go Green” campaign offers toilet rebates province wide.

1. What provincial ministry, department or agencies are in charge of water conservation/efficiency?
2. Does the province require preparation of drought emergency plans by water utilities or cities on any prescribed schedule?
No.
3. Does the province have a mandatory planning requirement for drinking water conservation separate from drought emergency plans?

No
Additional Information:

Related Links:
4. Does the province require implementation of conservation measures as well as preparation of plans?
No

Additional Information:

Related Links:
5. Does the province have the authority to approve or reject the conservation plans?

plan completeness?

No

satisfactory content?

No

Additional Information:
N/A because no plans are required.

Related Links:
6. Does the province have minimum water efficiency standards more stringent than federal or national requirements?
No

No, however changes are pending.

The 2005 National Plumbing Code of Canada is the model plumbing code of Canada. It is issued by the Institute for Research and Construction (IRC), a part of the National Research Council of Canada. As a model code, it has no legal status until it is adopted by a jurisdiction that regulates construction. The Provinces and Territories of Canada are allowed to adopt parts or all of the code and to alter the code as they see fit.

Saskatchewan has adopted the 1990 Canadian Plumbing Code, meaning it has requirements less stringent than the current National Plumbing Code. Changes to the Saskatchewan Plumbing Code are currently under review and may be adopted as early as the Fall 2009. These changes will mandate water efficient toilet flush volumes and maximum flow rates for showerheads and faucets.

An innovative partnership with Saskatchewan Health, Saskatchewan Environment ,and Saskatchewan Enterprise and Innovation has created a Water Recycling and Reuse Advisory Group to develop a process for the approval of grey water systems and other water recycling technologies.

7. Does the province regulate drinking water supplies and require conservation as part of its permitting process or water right permit?
Yes

Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment is the principle regulator of municipal waterworks and all privately owned waterworks that have a flow rate of 18,000 litres or more per day. The Ministry of the Environment regulates operation of waterworks including setting standards for quality, testing, and reporting through The Water Regulations, 2002 (amended in 2007).

Long Term Safe Drinking Water Strategy:  In April, 2002, the Government of Saskatchewan released a Long-Term Safe Drinking Water Strategy (LTSDWS) in response to the Report on the Commission of Inquiry into public drinking water in North Battleford and as a planned component of other longer-term changes stemming from the Walkerton tragedy (in May 2000, several serious flaws in the Walkerton, Ont., municipal drinking water system aligned to permit a breakthrough of E. coli O157:H7 and Campylobacter bacteria, causing seven deaths and more than 2,300 cases of waterborne disease).  The LTSDWS was developed with the vision of ensuring sustainable, reliable safe and clean supply of drinking water that is valued by the citizens of Saskatchewan. The LTSDWS has become the focal point for future water management in Saskatchewan and has functioned as the strategic driver for changes made to legislation, regulations, departments, agencies, and activities since its announcement in April of 2002.

Saskatchewan does not require conservation as part of its permitting process or water right permit.


8. Does the province support water conservation under its Drinking Water or Wastewater infrastructure funding programs?

Drinking Water?

No

Waste Water?

No

Additional Information:

No, with the exception of metering.

Canada does not have a revolving fund for infrastructure loans. Federally, the Green Municipal Fund (GMF) administered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) provides grants for up to 50% of project costs, or below-market, low interest loans of up to 80% of project costs. FCM is an advocacy organization; however the Government of Canada endowed the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) with $550 million to establish the GMF program.

The GMF funds municipal projects and studies, which have included feasibility studies of water conservation programs, water distribution system leak detection and control projects, plumbing retrofit programs, wastewater recycling, and sustainable community plans involving water conservation. At this time, the funding focus for capital projects in the water sector is on wastewater, while sustainable community plans, conservation-related studies, and field tests continue to be eligible.

The Building Canada plan is the primary mechanism in Canada for funding water and wastewater infrastructure, and encompasses a number of funds including provincial and municipal base funding, gas tax funds, and the Building Canada fund. Over half of the funding under the Building Canada plan is provided as base funding to municipalities, and the funds are generally administered by the provinces. The Building Canada fund promotes long-term funding of water infrastructure projects, including projects designed to improve conservation of water. Funding focuses on improved treatment standards that emphasize the protection of human health. The projects are required to be supported by measures that improve the management of sources of drinking water, reduce demand, and improve the management of drinking water infrastructure.

All projects are cost shared, generally in equal thirds between federal/provincial/municipal governments. The Building Canada fund operates through two components: the Major Infrastructure Component (MIC) that targets large strategic projects of national and regional significance, and the Communities Component that focuses on projects in communities with populations of less than 100,000.

To date, funded projects have focused on centralized infrastructure as opposed to conservation efforts, with the exception of metering. Capital cost funding projects must result in a tangible capital asset. Planning costs are also eligible, which could potentially support the development of water conservation plans.


9. Does the province offer other financial assistance? Environmental grants? Rebates? Tax Exemptions?

Yes.

The Go Green Fund offered through the Saskatchewan Ministry of the Environment focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency, clean energy, and water efficiency projects. The Toilet Replacement Rebate Program offered through the Go Green Fund offers a rebate of $50 for each inefficient toilet flushing with more than 13 litresthat is replaced with an efficient model flushing with 6 litres or less. The program is in effect from January 1, 2009 until December 31, 2012. Twenty municipalities have partnered with the province to top up the provincial rebate program and increase uptake in their area.

The province also offers $100 toilet rebates ($50 from Saskatchewan Watershed Authority and $50 from the Federal government) through the Saskatchewan EnerGuide for Housing grant program. To qualify for the grant, you must complete an EnerGuide for Houses pre-retrofit and post-retrofit evaluation.

Saskatchewan offers a PST (tax) exemption on all energy star appliances, including clothes washers.

Canada-Saskatchewan Western Economic Partnership Agreement offers funding through cost-share with the four western provinces for developing new technologies and in 2008 funded academic research into water reclamation and reuse technologies.

10. Does the province offer direct or indirect technical assistance to the public?

Yes.

A “Water Wise Quiz” is available online to enable the public to assess their water usage and provide advice on where people can be more efficient with regards to water usage in the home.

A Public Awareness Campaign was delivered with the theme "The #1 Water Saving Device Is You". This campaign aimed to raise awareness of the need to conserve water, and appeared as radio, TV, print, billboard, and web banner advertisements.

A Booklet series on home water conservation is available online.

SaskWater, the Provinces’ crown water utility provider, also offers water conservation tips focused on homeowners on their website.

11. Does the province provide provincial ET microclimate information?
No.
12. Does the province have a water conservation and efficiency strategy?
No


Additional Information:

13. Does the province have standards for alternative water sources?
No



We are interested in keeping this posted information as accurate and comprehensive as possible. Please email info@a4we.org with any corrections, changes, or additions.