This project was made possible by the very generous support of an anonymous donor and
Pulling together a project of this size takes a lot of work. The help of Jayme Nelson, Katherine Hill and Kathryn Wagner from Inside Education was invaluable. We couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you!
AC Atienza, Brendan Bate, Shannon Smithwick, Steff Stephansson, Kaleigh Watson, Andrew Wilson.
Water is an essential resource for all forms of life. Despite its critical importance, water is often taken for granted, and its sustainable management is often overlooked. Canada is home to over 2 million lakes and rivers and so building and encouraging community awareness and education about water is vital for fostering responsible water use and ensuring the sustainability of this precious resource. This is the introduction to a collection of articles exploring various existing successfully implemented strategies to enhance community awareness and education about water, highlighting the roles of schools, local governments, community organizations, and individual actions.
Water education involves learning about the sources, uses, and conservation of water. It helps people and communities understand the significance of water in their daily lives and the broader environment. Effective water education can lead to informed decision-making, promoting water conservation, sustainable practices, and water security [1]. By raising awareness about water issues, communities can better address challenges such as water scarcity, water pollution, and climate change impacts.
The United Nations’ 2024 World Water Development Report outlines the growing gap between the severity of water problems, knowledge and skills needed to properly address them. Promoting water education and awareness among future decision makers, will lead to positive global change.
The Report notes that there are 1.2 billion people in the world between the ages of 15-24, with that number expected to grow by 7% over the coming 6 years. This reinforces the importance of educating young people about water problems, and the need to address them.
Coordination and cooperation between the government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and communities is key to promoting awareness and water education. This collaboration allows for deeper analysis and clearer data communication to inform individuals and the community.
Local government and legislative bodies are important to developing community awareness of water issues and water education. It is their responsibility to create, monitor, and promote laws and regulations which act to increase awareness and protect water. Governments may also have the mandate and be able to access greater resources and specialist expertise to conduct resource-intensive research projects. There can, however, be challenges for the public in obtaining access to the results of the research.
Since governments can encourage and enforce conservation strategies through legislation and policies, they are well positioned to promote the long-term success of water awareness and education and sustainability practices. This will be explored further in the following sections.
NGO’s and education institutions are among the most crucial groups for the promotion of water awareness. These organizations can interpret the data provided by governments and present it to the public and the Canadian youth. These groups can act as the bridge between governments and the community.
Water-focused NGOs share a common core goal of positive environmental progress. These groups are made up of dedicated people who enact community projects and can provide the volunteer (and sometimes financial) support needed to sponsor initiatives aligned with their water- focused values.
Kindergarten to Grade 12 schools and teachers play a fundamental role in the education of youth about water awareness and sustainability. Getting children and teens interested and active in water issues fosters a new generation of proactive, water-aware decision makers. There are many ways to achieve this, both in and outside the classroom. Specific initiatives will be outlined in the following sections.
Post-secondary institutions play a crucial role in promoting water awareness by serving as hubs for research, education, and community engagement. Through innovative research programs, they advance our understanding of water scarcity, pollution, and conservation technologies. Academic and technical institutions also integrate water-related issues into their courses, teaching students how to address global water challenges. By hosting public lectures, workshops, and outreach initiatives, universities foster a broader dialogue about the importance of sustainable water management.
Communities and individuals play a pivotal role in the promotion of water education by actively engaging in and advocating for sustainable water practices. Community groups often lead initiatives such as water conservation workshops, clean-up drives, and educational campaigns that highlight the importance of protecting water resources. By participating in these activities, individuals not only gain a better understanding of water issues but also inspire others to take action. Grassroots efforts are particularly powerful, driving change by fostering a culture of conservation and encouraging responsible water use at the local level. Individuals can contribute by adopting water-saving habits in their daily lives, supporting policies that promote water sustainability, and using their platforms to raise awareness about water-related challenges. Through collective efforts and personal commitment, communities and individuals can foster an informed and proactive society.
In recent Canadian history, there have been varying initiatives led by governments, NGO’s, and schools which impact communities and are united in their goal of achieving greater water awareness. Outlined below are some strategies.
There are many water-related initiatives at the international, national and sub-national levels. What follows is an example from each level.
While UNESCO is not officially a governmental organization, it is an arm of the United Nations (UN). The UN is an international organization focused on global peace and security and involves the cooperation and collaboration of governments all over the world. UNESCO works to promote peace and development through education and science, and is heavily involved in the water world, specifically the 6th of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals [2].
This organization is a world leader in promoting awareness and education on water issues and sustainability, and with their vast resources, can positively influence the geopolitical landscape.
In 2023, the Government of Canada passed legislation establishing the Canada Water Agency [3] as an independent entity promoting freshwater management. The Canada Water Agency works closely with federal and provincial/territorial departments and Indigenous Peoples.
Most recently updated in 2000, the Alberta Water Act and its associated Regulations are the foundation of water governance throughout Alberta. This includes the sharing, distribution, accessing and protection of water. This Act is the legal framework passed by the legislature that describes how individual Albertans, all organisations and Alberta governments interact with water. The Act and its associated regulations are the rules that outline rights and responsibilities relating to provincial water and address topics such as ownership, diversion licenses, priority of access to water, and penalties resulting from violating the Act and related Regulations.
While the Alberta Water Act only applies inside Alberta, each province and territory has its own equivalent legislation and regulations.
The following programs are examples of ways organizations have worked to educate Canadian youth on water and sustainability.
Inside Education offers in-depth water education programs assisting teachers in promoting water literacy through science. Curriculum-connected classroom presentations, outdoor wetland field trips, one-day Water Innovation Day field trips, and high school youth leadership summits all focus on water management, human impact, and Alberta-based innovations. They also have professional development trips available for teachers to hear from multiple perspectives on water issues in Alberta.
Located on the South Saskatchewan River as it passes through Saskatoon, the Meewasin Valley Authority works to promote a healthy and vibrant river valley, and conservation strategies. They offer trail hiking tours, led by professionals who emphasize the importance of conservation strategies. They also offer summer camp opportunities, through “theme weeks” which include “Creek Creativity” and “Wandering & Wayfinding” [4].
Project WET is an organization which uses hands-on learning experiences to instill environmental responsibility at a young age. They provide learning and training tools for teachers and experiential learning activities for students.
One of the services offered by the Canada WaterPortal Society (That’s us!) is a website hosting information, projects, and learning resources surrounding water issues in Canada. The website features conservation strategies, types of infrastructure and irrigation, governmental roles, and water as it relates to different environmental crises.
The WaterPortal hosts resources for teachers within classrooms and helps to develop water-based curricula. The website is also accessible to students, who can independently explore topics of interest.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is a public source of information promoting good water governance, protecting water ecosystems, and restoring degraded rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Trout Unlimited is a registered Canadian charity who focus on the conservation and protection of Canadian freshwater ecosystems. They are also heavily involved in conservation education and are led by professional, action-oriented staff members.
Akin to Trout Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited is a charity focused on habitat conservation across all Canadian wetlands and have been proud stewards of these wetlands since 1938.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada is one of Canada’s leading charities focused on land and nature conservation, with a focus on long-term and large-scale solutions across the country.
DataStream is an open access platform for Canadians to share water data from across the nation. Within the site are “hubs” specific to different regions and watersheds throughout the country. Citizen science projects like this promote awareness on water issues, provide a platform for observations, and stimulate conversation.
One of the features of their site is an easy-to-use interactive map which outlines all the data reports, organized by location. This map is an example of just how many people across the country take part in reporting these statistics, indicating a collective desire among Canadians to promote public databases and access to environmental statistics.
The Covid-19 pandemic forced many organizations to switch to virtual activities. Educational organizations such as universities and high schools began implementing E-learning tools, improving their accessibility and functionality [5]. Governments and professional organizations also transitioned research and data online resulting in greater public access. It is important that these virtual tools are maintained and evolve for public benefit.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming water education and awareness by providing innovative tools for data analysis, predictive modeling, and personalized learning. AI-driven platforms can analyze water-related data to predict trends, identify risks, and optimize resource management, making it easier for educators and policymakers to understand and address water issues. For example, machine learning algorithms can detect patterns in water usage and pollution, enabling targeted conservation efforts. AI-powered educational tools, such as interactive apps and virtual reality simulations, offer engaging ways for individuals and communities to learn about water conservation and management. Additionally, AI can enhance public awareness through chatbots and digital assistants that provide real-time information and answer questions about water conservation practices. These advances make water education more accessible and impactful by using technology to deliver timely and relevant information.
One often-overlooked outcome of education is it’s ability to inspire lifelong learning. Water and its inherent topics and issues are all tightly interconnected, and it is difficult to learn about one topic without stumbling over another. It is important to reinforce this interconnectivity to the youth in schools since they are among the most creative in our society. By nurturing this creativity and equipping them with a strong foundation of knowledge, the next generation is empowered to become leaders in addressing the challenges and opportunities within the water world.
One of the major goals of water education is the promotion and furthering of social equity. Ensuring equitable access to water resources is a crucial step in the development and progress of a just society. By enhancing water education and awareness, we can spread awareness of inequities in our society, at the governmental level, organizational level, and within our communities. Ensuring that the next generation of leaders are aware of this is how we support diversity and inclusion for all.
For sustained impact, communities must develop long-term water conservation strategies. This involves periodic monitoring and evaluation to measure the effectiveness of implemented programs and practices. Local governments can set up water conservation committees made up of representatives from various stakeholder groups to oversee these efforts. Continued efforts from NGO’s (e.g. the Alberta Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils) and schools to reinforce awareness and education initiatives is necessary, with the communities and individuals in mind .
Water is our most important resource, capable of creating and destroying. It is critical to continue to build on the existing strategies for water management and education. We must also adapt to the changing times with powerful new digital tools and ensure that water education can be accessible to as many people as possible.
This project, Water Connections 2: Communities, Ecosystems and Water, delves into the vital role water plays in linking communities and ecosystems, as well as the ways communities impact both water and ecosystems. We hope that you will find this exploration both engaging and interesting as you continue your learning journey.
We provide Canadian educational resources on water practices to promote conservation and sustainability. Our team crafts current and relevant content, while encouraging feedback and engagement.
The Canada WaterPortal is a registered charity, #807121876RR0001
We recognize and respect the sovereignty of the Indigenous Peoples and communities on whose land our work takes place.
© 2025 All Rights Reserved.
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.