While 70% of the world is covered with water, freshwater accounts for just 1%. Of this 1%, only a tiny portion is available for consumption. Canada is renowned for its excellent ski resorts and the world's most famous waterfalls, so most expect it to be bountiful with fresh water.
In any case, as the population grows, contamination levels rise, and urbanization expands, water consumption must be considered; this limited resource is under pressure every day.
Matching these factors with natural changes to Canada's climate and water shortage could be a test that a few communities face later. Regardless, Canadians drink large amounts of water compared with other nations—more than twice as much as Europeans!
Consequently, where does the water indeed come from? What are the greatest threats to the new water supply? Also, what amount of Canada's water is being exported worldwide? Read on and find the answers and other facts you don't know about Canada's water.
What is Canada's primary source of water?
66% of Canadians drink water from lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. The most popular representation of Canada's abundance of water is the Great Lakes, a group of five lakes that span the North American continent and comprise the world's largest surface area of freshwater. However, you might not grasp the significance of forests in this water supply.
In 'evapotranspiration,' water from the forest floor evaporates, and water from the trees transpires into the air. Alternatively, water that doesn't return to the atmosphere from one of these processes either flows into streams and lakes or penetrates deeper into the Earth, becoming groundwater.
Moreover, the water that passes through forest soil to lakes and streams is usually filtered of harmful substances, including pesticides and contaminants. Therefore, any threat to these forests could impact the protected water supply.
How much freshwater is in Canada?
Among the top nations for internal renewable freshwater resources – water replenished through precipitation and groundwater – Canada is followed by Gabon, Papua New Guinea, Bhutan, Suriname, Guyana, Iceland, and Greenland (the latter is the most water-rich country).
Indeed, with around 80,423 cubic meters per capita, about 9% of Canada's total area —about 891,163 square kilometers —is covered by freshwater.
When freshwater trapped in glaciers, underground, or in lakes is included, the nation accounts for 20% of the world's freshwater supply.
Who is responsible for Canada's freshwater supply?
Like other nations, Canada's federal and local governments must agree on the choices influencing its freshwater supply.
The federal government generally has authority over fisheries, routes, and international relations, while the provinces manage water licenses and contamination control laws.
As Canada borders the United States, numerous streams flow into the United States, including the Great Lakes. The administration of these areas is often governed by third parties, such as the International Joint Commission.
Among different duties, the IJC can approve projects concerning the administration and protection of the lakes and river systems along the border.
The Canada Water Agency is a recent initiative set up by the federal government to bring together local authorities, provinces, Indigenous communities, and researchers to assist in developing methods for administering Canada's water.
How much water is exported from Canada?
Canada exports large amounts of water, using various industrial and agricultural products for which it is known.
Regarding bottled water, Canada exported US$17.9 million in water and ice in 2019, ranking it 10th among exporters. Compared with earlier years, this was a decrease (-20.8%) from past global sales.
The idea of mass exportation of fresh water is controversial. Freshwater isn't traded globally, and many Canadians oppose turning it into a valuable commodity.
However, should Canada trade water to nations that may require it most? Research into ways Canada can benefit from and protect its freshwater supply by permitting mass exports continues to raise concerns.
How much water is consumed in Canada?
Usually, 335 liters of water are consumed daily, equivalent to 670 standard water bottles (500 ml size). This is 10 times the average for rural sub-Saharan Africa.
Cooking and drinking don't surpass 10% of this sum. Bathing accounts for 35% of daily water use, or about 234 bottles. Toilet flushing alone uses what could be compared to 200 bottles, while laundry and cleaning include 25% of daily consumption, or about 168 bottles.
By the end of the 1990s, Canadian families consumed 7.9 billion liters of water daily—enough to fill the SkyDome five times!
Measuring water flow and charging per volume consumed has decreased household usage. Overall, Canadians who charged per volume drank 70% less water than those who paid a fixed price. In 1999, around 44% of Canadians were charged a flat rate for water use, which didn't motivate conservation.
Regional Facts
Ontario
- The wetlands of Lake Ontario have suffered grave losses over the past two centuries due to agricultural drainage and urban encroachment.
- The first Canadian Heritage River was the French River in Ontario, designated in 1986.
Great Lakes
- The Great Lakes sustain 45% of Canada's industrial capacity.
- The Great Lakes support a $100 million commercial fishing industry and a $350 million recreational fishing industry.
- The Great Lakes supply drinking water to 8.5 million Canadians.
- The Great Lakes sustain 25% of Canadians' agricultural capacity.
- Snowmelt and rain replenish just 1% of the Great Lakes' water each year.
- The Great Lakes are the most extensive system of fresh surface water on Earth, containing generally 18% of the world's fresh surface water.
- The joined shoreline of the Great Lakes equals about 45% of the Earth's circumference.
- Extreme storms on Lake Erie can cause short-term lake-level changes of up to 4 meters.
Prairies
- The Prairie Provinces consist of about 770 dams.
- About 75% of all agricultural water withdrawals in Canada happen on the Prairies, primarily for irrigation.
- 15-25% of the Prairie Region is a wetland.
- A homestead hole, a small on-ranch reservoir, is a typical surface water source on the Canadian Prairies.
Quebec
- Quebec has more large dams than some other areas, with 333.
- The 1996 Saguenay basin storm and related flood in Quebec resulted in 10 fatalities and more than $ 1.5 billion in damage.
- Since 1986, the levels of organic contaminants (PCBs) and inorganic pollutants (Cu, Zn, Pb, Hg, Cd, and As) in the sediments of northern Lake Saint-Pierre have fallen by half.
- St. Lawrence–Great Lakes hydrographic system is one of the largest on the planet. It drains over 25% of Earth's freshwater reserves and disrupts natural cycles across much of North America.
- St. Lawrence comprises five fundamental and nine secondary water masses related to the major tributaries. These water masses have unique natural, physical, and chemical characteristics.
- The Quebec part of the St. Lawrence River extends in three places, shaping stretches of open water large enough to be considered lakes with a regular flow. These three fluvial lakes are Lake Saint-François, Lake Saint-Louis, and Lake Saint-Pierre.
Atlantic
- Everyone on Prince Edward Island relies on groundwater for their day-to-day water needs.
- Most of Prince Edward Island (57%) relies upon private wells for its water supply.
- The Eel River Bar is one of the longest natural reefs in North America. Freshwater laps its shores on one side, saltwater on the other.
- Watch the Saint John River crash through a narrow gorge and fall into the harbor at low tide, yet a similar river streams the other way during high tide. The Bay of Fundy's extraordinary tides are excellent for the Saint John River, constraining the water to flow upstream twice a day.
- In 2000, the Kennebecasis Watershed Restoration Committee (KWRC) identified 24 distinct fish species from 13 families. Some of the more common species include the Atlantic salmon, rainbow trout, and striped bass.
- Great Bear Lake, located in the Northwest Territories, is the largest lake in Canada, covering 31,328 square kilometers.
- The deepest lake in Canada is Great Slave Lake, located in the Northwest Territories. Its deepest point is 614 meters.
- In Canada, the individual river system with the largest drainage basin is the Mackenzie River, with a drainage basin of 1,805,200 square kilometers.
Water Conservation in Canada
Municipalities and water management agencies began implementing water conservation techniques.
For example, in 1993, Ontario became the first province to adopt plumbing codes requiring all toilets, faucets, and showerheads in new buildings to conserve water.
It is estimated that 42% of households use low-flow showerheads, while 15% allegedly use water-conserving toilets.
Washing and cleaning use significantly more water than drinking and cooking. Thus, using straightforward techniques can save a lot of water.
Take note of the three R's (not for recycling, but for water conservation): reduce consumption, repair leaks, and replace old fixtures with new, water-saving ones.
To protect the daily supply of freshwater, residents and commercial users must conserve as much of this valuable resource as possible. Keep in mind that minor changes can have a lasting effect.
Next time you top off your glass from the tap or stack your dishwasher after a family meal, think about the worth of each drop and do your part to lower your water usage.
Simple ways to save large amounts of water consumption in your household.
- Upgrade faucets and showerheads with a tap aerator
- Use a broom to clean the driveway rather than a hose.
- Water your garden early in the morning to avoid unnecessary water loss from evaporation.
- Turn off the water tap when brushing your teeth.
- Use the laundry and dishwashing machines on full loads.
- Take shorter showers. Reducing your shower time by 2 minutes can save 2,600 liters of water each month!
- Check your toilet for leaks and upgrade with water-saving gadgets.
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