Over the past 11 years, Guelph has made some amazing strides in water conservation.
Let’s tell our city that we want to continue down thte conservation path, and that we want it in writing.
When: Wednesday, February 4th, 6:30 pm
Where: The River Run Centre on Woolwich St. (in the Cooperators Hall)
What: Our Water Conservation and Efficiency Strategy Update
Please attend the final Public Information Centre this Wednesday and ensure that our city staff set a fixed target for the annual amount of water taken by the city. The proposed target would be the 2008 amount and would be fixed for 15 years. Any new requirements for water would be met by added efficiency and conservation measures by current users.

Having the city adopt such a fixed-amount target would be an enormous step forward toward a sustainability approach. It would also complement the Community Energy Plan, since water treatment, distribution and wastewater treatment are the largest energy use by the city.

For 11 yrs  (1997-2007), with increasing education and awareness, Guelph citizens have decreased their water taking.  We have very good prospects of increasing our conservation and efficiencies through continuing educational awareness.

Many people in Guelph understand the need to take this major step toward sustainability.   However, there is some concern that city staff will not recommend this approach to council.

A missing component of the water conservation strategy is the urgent need for a protective tree by-law.
Everything is connected. Water, energy demand and trees.
“The sustainability of the water resources are linked inextricably with watershed forests, whether they are urban or in the landscape surrounding the urban area” (GRCA Watershed Forest Plan. Chapter 3.2 Urban Forests.)

Please take a few minutes to attend and register your support for the fixed target approach and protection and maintenance of our urban forest canopy.

For more information, check out the city’s website www.guelph.ca.