Toronto pipes waste more than 15,000 Olympic pools of water per year: study
A new study by the Residential and Civil Construction Association of Ontario (RCCAO) is highlighting just how much water goes to waste in Toronto every day.
The study, titled ‘Water Infrastructure in the 21st Century: Smart and Climate-Savvy Asset Management Policies,’ was completed by Tamer E. El-Diraby, a University of Toronto professor in the department of civil and mineral engineering.
While Toronto’s water distribution network services approximately 3.6 million people, the study claims that, due to “leaky and broken pipes,” 10 to 15 per cent of that water leaks from pipes daily.
This means that the city could be wasting 103 million litres of water per day — enough to fill more than 15,000 Olympic swimming pools a year, or just over 40 a day.
However, in some areas, the leakage rate could be far higher, says RCCAO.
“Reports by consultants who conducted actual assessments show that rates in Ontario could be as high as nearly 40 per cent. One analysis for the Town of Smiths Falls estimated that rates between 2003 and 2019 ranged between 41 per cent and 67 per cent,” said RCCAO.
When reached for comment, Lou Di Gironimo, General Manager of Toronto Water, told CTV News Toronto that “unaccounted water loss [in the city] is 10 per cent or less, and is associated with water main breaks, flushing water mains for maintenance purposes, as well as any leaks that may be in the system.”
"The average age of Toronto's water mains is 61 years,” Di Gironimo said. “Eleven per cent are between 80-100 years and 13 per cent are more than 100 years.”
According to RCCAO, a survey completed in 2018 of 308 water utilities in North America showed that the typical age of a failing water main is 50 years.
"The city experiences an average of 1,400 water main breaks annually and replaces about 35 to 50 kilometres of water mains each year, meaning it’s working on the assumption that the service life of a water main is 110-166 years," the RCCAO said.
The city says they have implemented several programs to help to reduce water loss.
These improvements include a 10-year plan, put in place in 2020, to see $2.2 billion in capital improvements towards improving the distribution network and the 2015 replacement of more than 470,000 water meters in homes and businesses.
RCCAO executive director Nadia Todorova calls the loss of water “alarming.”
“[The study] confirms that our water infrastructure is aging and in dire need of repair,” Todorova said.
“It’s incredibly inefficient and almost singlehandedly defeating our water conservation goals when treated drinking water never makes it to the taps because of leaky pipes.”
El-Diraby says Toronto needs to “stay the course” and “preserve the value of its water infrastructure assets.”
“We must pivot to face future challenges. If we let our guard down, the repercussions will be much higher than the simple issue of crumbling assets.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
A 'tragedy that can't be measured': North Bay's forever chemical problem is also the rest of Canada's
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
WATCH Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Here's what 'the hinge' move is, how to do it correctly
When you're picking something up from the floor or bending over to tie your shoe laces, you're performing "the hinge move," according to movement trainers.
Tips to make a house or apartment safe and accessible for older adults living at home
Here's a summary of tips from the U.S. National Institute on Aging and AARP, which offers a free room-by-room guide with practical suggestions for older adults living independently.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.