Water Opportunities and Water Conservation Act, 2010
Regulation Number(s):
Instrument Type:
Act
Bill or Act:
Building Code Act, 1992; Captial Investment Plan Act, 1993; Green Energy Act, 2009; Ontario Water Resources Act, 1990
Summary of Proposal:
The proposed Water Opportunities and Water Conservation Act, 2010 contains a new stand-alone act, the Water Opportunities Act, 2010, as well as schedules containing amendments to existing legislation.
The proposed Water Opportunities Act, 2010 provides that the Minister may set aspirational targets in relation to the conservation of water and other targets the Minister considers appropriate.
The proposed Water Opportunities Act, 2010 would, if passed, establish a Water Technology Acceleration Project, a non-crown corporation to encourage collaboration and coordination between
industry, governments and academia. The Water Technology Acceleration Project would assist in facilitating the creation and growth of globally competitive companies and high value jobs in the water and wastewater sector. Finally, this corporation would provide a forum for governments, the private sector, academia and others to exchange information and ideas on how to make Ontario a leader in the development and commercialization of innovative water and wastewater technologies.
The proposed Water Opportunities Act, 2010 also includes a regulation-making authority to require municipal water sustainability plans and allows the Minister of the Environment to establish
performance indicators and targets for municipal water, wastewater and stormwater services. A regulation-making authority is proposed to prescribe details of municipal water sustainability plans, set timing and reporting requirements and other actions as necessary. The regulation may phase the requirements for municipal water sustainability plans over time.
The proposed Water Opportunities Act, 2010 includes regulation-making authority for the Minister of the Environment to require prescribed information on or with municipal water bills to promote transparency.
The proposed Water Opportunities Act, 2010 would facilitate government leadership by providing regulation-making authority to require public agencies to consider water conservation and innovation in their procurement practices. The proposed Act also provides regulation-making authority to
require prescribed public agencies to prepare water conservation plans.
Further Information:
Proposal Number:
10-MOE020
Posting Date:
May 19, 2010
Comments Due Date:
July 17, 2010