More for Less: Using the soft path to meet future needs with less water
The water soft path takes demand management a step further along the spectrum of water conservation. It requires us, as a society, to examine not just how we use our water resources but why we use our water resources the way we do. It requires water management systems to account for ecosystem needs. The water soft path also requires planning around a future goal of reduced water use and commitment of no increased supply. In essence, as David Brooks, the principle investigator of the soft-path team explains, the water soft path, "relies more on human ingenuity and innovation to 'solve' society's water problems - working with nature rather than trying to overcome it."
Typical soft path policies can include implementing ultra-low flow sanitary systems or promoting rain-fed agriculture and supplemental irrigation. Soft path policies require changing infrastructure such as introducing grey water systems or storm water management systems. Land use choices should be considered as water use choices. Goals might include a "no new water" policy for towns and cities.
The group has recently completed a two year water soft path analysis. This undertaking, the first of its kind, tackled a nation-wide analysis of the water soft path concept. The project considered water soft path application at three levels - the urban setting, at a watershed and at the provincial scale. It demonstrated that the potential for soft path application goes far beyond traditional demand management, suggesting the following are all possible under a full WSP scenario:
- water savings in Ontario of 20% or more from current use can be achieved across all the major industrial sectors:
- in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, savings of 50% can be achieved;
- applying the soft path in urban areas, eg. Oliver, British Columbia, suggest savings of 66% are possible;
- water use per tonne in the pulp and paper industry could drop by as much as 95% (at the expense of greater energy);
- lifestyle changes to reduce the amount of meat in our diets could reduce water use for food production by 33-50%.
Look for the work of the water soft path team featured in the August issue of Alternatives. Or see more information and a full list of studies and www.foecanada.org.