Industry users are among the top water users in Canada. This includes thermal power generation, manufacturing, oil & gas production and mining. There are two basic ways in which we use water: Instream uses, which includes hydroelectric power generation, transportation, fisheries, wildlife, recreation, and waste disposal, take place with the water remaining in its natural setting. A good way to remember this is natural setting “in the stream”. Withdrawal uses, which includes thermal power generation, mineral extraction, irrigation, manufacturing, and municipal use, remove water from its natural setting for a period of time and for a particular use, and eventually return all or part of it to the source. The difference between the amount of water withdrawn and the amount of water returned to the source is water “consumed.” For example, by evaporating and not returning to the local source.
Environment Canada created the following graph to illustrates the net water use of the main water users in Canada from 2005 to 2013.
In 2013 the total water withdrawal across the main industries was almost 40 million cubic metres. Thermal power generation uses the highest amount (65%), manufacturing (10.5%), households (8.5%), commercial and institutional (5.5%), agriculture (5%), mining (2.5%) and oil & gas (1.5%).
Do you have staff, equipment, offices, datacenters in various water-scarce areas? As companies get decentralized across the globe, water management can become a concern. The World Business Council for Sustainable Development has launched the Global Water Tool. It’s a free and easy-to-use tool for companies and organizations to map their water use and assess risks relative to their global operations and supply chains.
WaterSimTool is a simulation of water supply and demand for the Phoenix Metropolitan area that integrates information about climate, land use, population growth, and water policy. Adjustable settings allow you to gauge future water-supply conditions in response to climate change, drought, population growth, technological innovation, as well as policy decisions about the nature of the region’s built environment, landscaping practices, and recycled water. Other modelling and simulation tools are found here.
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Ross has extensive executive experience in Operations, Governance, Information Technology and Strategy at the board and senior management level including Mancal Corporation, Mancal Energy, Highridge Exploration and Atlantis Resources. He has worked in Oil and Gas, Coal, Commercial Real Estate, Portfolio Management, Recreation, Retail and Water and Wastewater Treatment. His experience is also geographically diverse having overseen operations in Canada, the United States, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Additionally, he has been on the board of companies with operations in Argentina, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Kazakhstan, and Russia. He has served on numerous Public, Private and Not for Profit Boards across a number of industries.
Ross has been active on several industry Boards and committees including the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and The Schulich School of Engineering Industry Advisory Council at the Schulich School of Engineering.
Brian is a seasoned Cleantech entrepreneur with a proven history of successfully bringing complex water technologies to the market. With over 25 years of experience, he has led various organizations to achieve significant milestones in the industry.
Having started as the founding CEO of the Pressure Pipe Inspection Company (PPIC) and later taking the helm at the Water Technology Acceleration Project (WaterTAP), Brian’s entrepreneurial spirit has been instrumental in driving innovation and growth within the sector.
He is an active investor in the cleantech sector and has served on many boards including the Ontario Clean Water Agency.
Actively engaged in industry associations like AWWA, WEF, IWA, and ASCE, Brian enjoys collaborating with fellow professionals to promote advancements in the field.
Brian holds an undergraduate degree and a PhD in Physics from Queen’s University, which has provided him with a solid technical foundation. As a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, he brings valuable insights to corporate governance.
