A billion lost down the pipes

As much as $1 billion worth of fresh, clean drinking water disappears into the ground every year from rotting, leaky municipal water pipes, says the Ontario Sewer and Watermain Construction Association.

As reported by Osprey News earlier this year, 20 to 40 per cent of all the water pumped through municipal water systems never reaches consumer taps, and in some cases, the loss is as high as half of all treated water.

The watermain association recently calculated the cost of Ontario's leaky pipes and came up with the billion-dollar figure.

"I think it's something the public should be aware of," said watermain executive director Frank Zechner.

"I really don't think (government) is looking into the leakage issue and giving it the thought that they should," Zechner said.

It's a figure that would shock and outrage most consumers, suggested Conservative leader John Tory.

"If you told people that 20 per cent or more of the electricity they were paying for in their house was never putting on a light, was never running their TV, was just going off into the air, I mean they'd be outraged at that and demand it be fixed immediately," Tory said.


Meanwhile, municipalities across the province are encouraging water conservation measures ranging from telling residents not to run the tap while brushing their teeth to banning lawn watering.

"Some municipalities are quick to put the burden on residents during the summer months by restricting residents from watering lawns - when leaky pipes may be the primary reason limiting water use," Zechner said.
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