TORONTO - Ontario may consider a rating system for water conservation similar to the Energy Star program now used for electricity as part of a push to cash in on clean-water technology.
Premier Dalton McGuinty says while people in the province understand the need to reduce electricity usage, they're not as knowledgeable about ways to conserve water.
That means it may be worth looking into a rating system on appliances that use water in homes and businesses, much like the Energy Star program rates the efficiency of things like refrigerators.
McGuinty's musings come amid opposition criticism that the Liberals be shouldn't talking about selling conservation and treatment technology overseas when many Ontario communities are still under boil water advisories.
The premier admitted the province could be doing a better job cleaning up its own water, but says he has no plans to appoint a clean water or water conservation czar.
McGuinty also denied the sudden focus on water is a ploy to embarrass the Conservatives in next year's election over the tainted water tragedy in Walkerton 10 years ago -- even though his finance minister brought up the scandal almost immediately following the throne speech.
