RE: Septic Soap Opera — May 12, 2010

The condition of the environment has been improving for several decades now.  Yet, thanks to our major media and the public-education system, very few people will be aware of that.

Was it Manitoba or the feds who banned the gray-water septic fields?  Back in my planning days, a majority of my assignments were in communities which had no public piped water-supply or sewage-disposal systems.  When there were problems with individual septic systems, the problem was usually the result of an improperly installed tile field.  Yet, every such installation was required to be inspected either by the county health unit or by the provincial Ministry of the Environment.

The goal is the complete ban of all individual private water-supply and sewage-disposal systems.  The pretense is that this is being done to protect the environment.  But, as you are likely aware, some of the major water polluters are government sewage treatment plants.  The environmental damage done by the systems they are in the process of banning pale in comparison.  The 'hidden' agenda is the complete ban on all rural development other than that required to manage resources.  Then, they can squeeze us all into urban areas as required by the smart-growth regulations.

David Barber, Cordillera Institute, Toronto

RE: Septic Soap Opera — October 24, 2009

Yes, the condition of the environment has been improving for several decades now.  Yet, thanks to our major media and the public-education system, very few people seem to be aware of that.

Was it Manitoba or the feds who banned the gray-water septic fields?  Back in my planning days, a majority of my assignments were in communities which had no public piped water-supply or sewage-disposal systems.  When there were problems with individual septic systems, the problem was usually the result of an improperly installed tile field.  Yet, every such installation was required to be inspected either by the county health unit or by the provincial Ministry of the Environment.

The goal is the complete ban of all individual private water supply and sewage disposal systems.  The pretense is that this is being done to protect the environment.  But, as you are likely aware, some of the major water polluters are government sewage treatment plants.  The environmental damage done by the systems they are in the process of banning pale in comparison.  The 'hidden' agenda is the complete ban on all rural development other than that required to manage resources.  Then, they can squeeze us all into urban areas as required by the smart-growth regulations.    - E-Mail from Toronto

RE: Saving Lake Winnipeg with Better Public Policy — August 23, 2007
Great job outlining the issues in this aspect of the water quality management challenge. You have identified a significant problem with the use of blunt regulatory enforcement actions that are not accompanied by investments that will genuinely improve water quality. E-mail from rural Manitoba

RE: Manitoba's Water Regulations-Regulate First, Ask Questions Later — April 13, 2006
Well done on this – it is good information and extremely timely. E-mail from Winnipeg

RE: A common sense look at pollution — April 22, 2007

I enjoyed the opinion that Robert D. Sopuck presented mainly on waste not, want not as a major means of reducing pollution. He takes a very common sense, middle ground stance and exposes the views of both extremes for what they are -- emotional rhetoric. The only thing I would add is how the "David Suzukis and Al Gores" have a vested interest in promoting how our planet Earth is going to "hell in a hand basket" what with climate change and loss of species. If they were to indicate satisfaction with what society is doing, how would they attract the millions of dollars to their foundations?

Sopuck certainly knows how people react in developed countries when he states they want it both ways. Recent polls indicated the environment is the biggest concern. But when asked what they might do to reduce pollution, most of those same people did not feel the onus should fall on them. That was up to big business, government and others. Then, as a put-down to "deep ecologists" ideology, Sopuck suggests governments help business and individuals through legislation and incentives.

As a landowner who is interested in doing things right for the environment and society, I would react more favourably to the carrot. Like most landowners, I am a good steward and feel regulations are offensive and regressive. Best of all, the "deep ecologist" has lost control over me to exact "their urge to save humanity which is often a false front for the urge to rule it." What the Earth needs now are more people like Sopuck, not fearmongers. - Ken Wasmuth, Wainwright, Alberta

RE: Manitoba's Water Regulations-Regulate First, Ask Questions Later — April 13, 2006
Well done on this – it is good information and extremely timely. E-mail from Winnipeg

Let's Sell Water To The U.S.A.
On the revenue side, based on the Tampa costs, we could realize $3.3-billion per year (0.66 x 5-billion cubic metres). Profit, if all costs were deducted, would be $1.334 billion. However, if the United States carried the cost of the project, as is usually the case for such strategic infrastructure, the profit would be an impressive $2.49 billion every year. It would be enough to easily wipe out Manitoba’s equalization hand out which was $2.06 billion in the most recent budget.

On Water and Sewers, Park the Ideology
A clear separation of responsibilities will make pricing more responsive to actual, long-term infrastructure needs and not short-term political interference. Maintenance costs are politically under-the-radar whereas property taxes and are immediately visible. So degradation of infrastructure—which is literally underground--can be ignored for decades. It is in a large part because of this dynamic that the Federation of Canadian Municipalities now reports that Canada’s “infrastructure deficit” is $123 billion.

Powerpoint Presentations from Water Quality Management: Nutrient Research & Bio-Mass Production Conference
Powerpoint Presentations from Water Quality Management: Nutrient Research & Bio-Mass Production Conference

Toward Greater Transparency in Water and Sewer Services in Winnipeg
Concerns over possible “gouging” are misplaced. The Manitoba Public Utilities Board would regulate the proposed corporation’s rates in a more transparent process than does the current model. Such rates should encourage the environmentally sustainable use of water, and, overall, a move to such a system in Winnipeg would result in greater transparency, increased cost effectiveness and a more environmentally sustainable water system.

Power, Water and Roads Could Benefit from Smarter Pricing
We need to alter infrastructure policy discussions in Western Canada before we encounter the market failures of traffic congestion in many cities, the water supply restrictions in Australia and the Southwestern United States and the power blackouts that are forecast in the United Kingdom.

Learning from New Zealand: De-Politicizing Water Service Delivery
Another positive result of the better management of water was its pricing. Once the true costs of water became a subject of public interest, leak loss detection and reduction programs were quickly introduced. That reduced some water loss rates from as much as 20 per cent down to near five per cent. All of these savings were then reflected back to the consumer in lower prices.

Change Prices, Not Attitudes, to Conserve Water
Even at market prices, some people will choose to wash their car weekly, choose high-pressure showerheads and choose to hose their driveways rather than sweep leaves. While the researchers responsible for the water attitudes survey might call that “wasting” the resource, I call it “using” the resource. Canada is one of the most water-rich countries in the world, and Canadians need not feel guilty about using water to make their lives more pleasant and convenient. Leaving this wonderful, renewable resource underutilized due to guilt or social pressure is another form of waste.

Media Release - Manitobans Split on Whether to Sell Water to the United States
Unlike oil and natural gas, water is the ultimate renewable resource. In that sense. it is akin to selling wheat and other agricultural products. Unlike fossil fuels, water and crops are the ultimate sustainable resources. In Manitoba's case, selling water would also be very profitable for the provincial government.

A Wet Idea
It would be a pity if such fears prevented Canada from exploiting our water resources. Depending on the measurement used, Canada is floating on up to two-thirds of the world's supply of fresh water. About 79,000 cubic metres of the stuff flows into the ocean every second. A recent study suggests a third of the world's population is set to experience severe water shortages by the year 2025. Seems like a formula for making a lot of money.