Waterloo Regional Water Usage

The Waterloo regional policy of household water usage is a policy that holds much controversy. In this article written by Peter Shawn Taylor he analysis’s some of the downfalls to Waterloo’s water regulations. In addition he discusses improvements that would make the water regulation more effective and equal for all households within Waterloo region. This topic of Waterloo’s water usage will be analyzed further by using economic incentives within this blog post.

Living in Waterloo, Ontario comes with strict water regulations in the summer. These regulations make much confusion, because of all the detailed rules that include “only watering your lawn by sprinkler once a week, only hand spraying your garden every other day. But only during certain hours.” (Taylor, 2009) When these regulations are not followed the region of Waterloo’s policy dictates a fine to a household of 150 dollars, which will be set upon these offenders. This kind of regulation is not the most reasonable and rational approach to handle the amount of water consumption used in the summer. Different more simplistic approaches could be taken to improve the amount of fresh water used rather then paying a fee for not following unnecessary strict rules that are implicated within Waterloo water regulations.

In the article, written by Peter Shawn Taylor his view of Waterloo’s regional regulations towards water usage is seen as an irresponsible way to handle such a precious natural resource. Taylor states in his article “If we really want people to think carefully before using it, we should charge more for it.” (Taylor, 2009) This explains if the region really wants to control Waterloo’s water usage a fluctuating price could be place on water during peek seasons. A good example that is mentioned in this article is about how “We pay for more strawberries in winter. Why shouldn’t we pay more for water in the summer?.” (Renzetti, 2009) This example gives a good idea to a new way of conserving water, when people have to put out money it is most likely there willing to think before they use it.

On top of Taylor’s idea of putting a price on the amount of water during different seasons, there are many different approaches to make households conserve fresh water. The regulations that the Waterloo region placed on water, which are shown in this blog and also in the article proves that the regulation is not the best way to conserve the amount of water that Waterloo is using. The Waterloo region may benefit by handling the conservation problem in terms of using an economic incentives. This would mean using a type of tax exemption or a kind of government refund to control water usage. This sort of method would be better in comparison to enforcing a regulation on the citizens of Waterloo. When there is some type of benefit involved for the people, they are more likely to following rules and guidelines. Therefore in the case of conserving water, it can be more beneficial for the future of the people within the region to have an economic incentive instead of regulation placed upon them.

The water policy of Waterloo is full of confusing regulations that leaves the residents of Waterloo in confusion. If Waterloo residents are perplexed with these regulations it will most likely to leave them with a fine of 150 dollars. This may not be the best way for Waterloo to regulate and conserve fresh water. A plausible alternative to this problem could be easily solved by an economic incentive, or an idea along the lines of Peter Shawn Taylor’s as described above. The regional of Waterloo needs to revise its regulations to reserve a natural resource that will be essential in years to come.

Kendra Bester

Resources

Taylor, Peter S. "Putting the water back in Waterloo Region." (2009). The Record. 07 Aug. 2009. Web. 17 Nov. 2009. .