Transcript Document

Ontario Low
Water
Response
(OLWR)
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www.lakeheadca.com
2006
What is OLWR?
• A response plan to minimize the effects of drought
• The intension is to ensure provincial preparedness, to assist and to
support local response in the event of a drought.
Where did it come from?
• Result of 1998 – 1999 drought
• Developed by the:
• Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR)
• Ministry of the Environment (MOE)
• Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF)
• Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH)
• Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade
(MEDT)
• Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO)
• Conservation Ontario (CO)
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Stream flow and Weather Monitoring
•
The MNR, Conservation Authorities, Environment Canada and the MOE
monitor stream flow and weather data.
•
Data is collected from various stream flow/precipitation gauges on various
watersheds in the province.
•
Every week the MNR Surface Water Monitoring Centre compares stream
flow and precipitation data to long-term records.
•
When current conditions fall below the drought indicator levels, the Low
Water Response Program takes affect.
•
MNR staff consult with the Conservation Authority, MOE, OMAF and local
MNR staff when stream flow and weather data indicate that an area may be
in a Level I, II or III low water condition.
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MNR Low Water Level Indicators
Level I
Rain
Streamflow
Level II
Level III
< 80% of the monthly
average
< 60% of the monthly
average
< 40% of the monthly
average
Spring:
Spring:
Spring:
Monthly flow < 100%
of the lowest average
summer month flow
Monthly flow < 70% of
the lowest average
summer month flow
Monthly flow < 50% of the
lowest average summer
month flow
Other times:
Other times:
Other times:
Monthly flow < 70%
of the lowest average
summer month flow
Monthly flow < 50% of
the lowest average
summer month flow
Monthly flow < 30% of the
lowest average summer
month flow
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Water Response Teams (WRT)
•
Teams are initiated by the Conservation Authority (or MNR Districts where
CAs do not exist) and are tailored to individual watersheds
•
Water Response Teams are the key to drought response
•
They provide a watershed context and coordinated response
WRT may have membership from:
•Agriculture
•First Nations
•Rural Private Industry
•Municipal Government
•Recreation
•Provincial Government
(MNR, MOE, OMAF)
•Resource Managers
•Business
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Roles of the WRT
• The ROLE of the WRT is to
coordinate local actions to minimize
the impacts of drought.
• WRTs do not replace existing
agencies, policies and statutes but
rather they facilitate the coordination
of water management agencies,
non-government groups and users.
• WRTs do not possess any unique
legislative authority but can help by
advising on the current regulations
and tools.
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Agency Roles and Responsibilities
Conservation Authorities
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Maintain precipitation and stream-flow monitoring networks
•
Monitor local stream health and water quality
•
Lead watershed characterization
•
Strong links with community groups, media, government
•
Operate dams and reservoirs (LRCA only operates flow structures, no ability
to regulate flow)
•
In field verification of MNR low flow data
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Administer section of the Fisheries Act
•
Initiate Water Response Team (only in area of jurisdiction)
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Agency Roles and Responsibilities cont.
Ministry of Natural Resources
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Maintain provincial stream flow and precipitation network
•
Analysis of data and application of drought indicators
•
Administer portions of the Fisheries Act (requirement to maintain base
flows)
•
Administer Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act
•
Operate dams and reservoirs
•
Links with outdoor recreation groups
•
Participate as a representative of the province but are not a voting member
of the WRT
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Agency Roles and Responsibilities cont.
Ministry of the Environment
•
Assist in maintaining monitoring networks
•
Manage the Permit to Take Water (PTTW) Program (All users taking more
than 50,000 litres per day are required to have a permit)
•
Communication link with permit holders
•
Administer the Ontario Water Resources Act and Environmental Protection
Act
•
Participate as a representative of the province but are not a voting member
of the WRT
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Agency Roles and Responsibilities cont.
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture
and Food
•
Links with the agriculture
water users
•
Conservation messages
•
Participate as a
representative of the
province but are not voting
members of the WRT
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Agency Roles and Responsibilities cont.
Local Municipalities
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Monitor and control water supplies
•
Bylaws (i.e. alternate lawn watering days)
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Strongly promote water conservation
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Link with large commercial and industrial consumers
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Responsibilities under the Emergency Plans Act
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WRT Member Responsibilities:
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Attend meetings
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Communicating back to their sectors
•
Sharing relevant data (i.e. Precipitation, streamflow and groundwater level
data, PTTW permit holders etc.)
•
Implementing drought management tools (i.e. municipal by-laws,
coordinated irrigation signage, public awareness communications)
•
Confirm local conditions
•
Plan a conservation strategy
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Communicate the conservation plan
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Three Levels of Response
Level I – Potential water supply problems
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Voluntary Conservation
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10% use reduction
•
Communications
Level II – Minor problems, potential major supply problems
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Conservation and restrictions on non-essential uses
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Further 10% use reduction
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Communications, manage supply, impose restrictions
Level III – Supply fails to meet demand, social and economic impact
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Conservation, restrictions, regulation
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Decisions regarding water use restrictions/supply options move to provincial
directors
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OLWR in the LRCA Jurisdiction:
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LRCA jurisdiction is mainly made up of un-regulated watercourses
•
The only regulated water course is the Kam River, which is managed by
OPG and the MNR
•
LRCA operates flow structures, none of which can be manipulated to alter
flows
•
In the event of low water conditions, the MOE would restrict PTTW permit
holders
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Municipalities can enforce by-laws to regulate non-essential water
consumption
•
Voluntary conservation is the main measure that the LRCA would promote
during a low water event
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OLWR Summary:
•
LRCA is to coordinate OWLR response for area of jurisdiction (outside
jurisdiction, MNR coordinates)
•
In the LRCA jurisdiction, most watersheds are unregulated, therefore flow is
not controlled
•
MOE manages and regulates the PTTW program
•
Voluntary conservation is the main measure that can be
promoted/implemented during a low water event in our area
•
Municipalities can enforce/implement by-laws to restrict non-essential water
consumption
•
Province assumes decision making role at Level III
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