As non-flat rate municipal water billings consist of a charge for the water supplied and a significant surcharge for wastewater treatment based on that volume of water, reductions in water use can also produce significant savings in water bills. Continuation of wasteful practices threatens to deteriorate the quality of Canada's freshwater resources for future generations, results in costly development of alternative municipal water supplies and poses potential harm to human health. In many cases, such practices cause beach closures and the abandonment of fish resources. It is clear, therefore, that the status quo is unacceptable. Water must be considered as an invaluable asset.
Water management ought to be part of any organization's business plan.
In keeping with the federal government's commitment to environmental stewardship, departmental managers are asked to develop action plans to rationalize water use. This manual is designed to assist facility managers to take the first steps necessary to establish and to meet objectives for a water efficiency program. These guidelines outline the procedures for conducting a water audit and for designing and implementing a successful water efficiency program. The first step in developing such a program is to assess the current state of water use at the facility being investigated. This is done by conducting a water audit.