Analysis of Agricultural Water Supply Issues: National Summary

2.0 PROVINCIAL SUMMARIES

2.5 Ontario

The following text summarizes information from the report titled Analysis of Agricultural Water Supply Issues - National Water Supply Expansion Program - Province of Ontario.

2.5.1 Issues/Constraints and Information Gaps

Most agricultural production occurs in southern Ontario; however, some production does occur in northern Ontario. For example, the area around Sudbury has a significant amount of agricultural production in the vegetable sector. Irrigation is almost exclusively a feature of agriculture in southern Ontario, and it makes up the bulk of the agricultural water use in southern Ontario. Irrigation was estimated at 54% of total agricultural water use in 1996.

Precipitation in southern Ontario varies between 600-1000 mm across the region and it is generally distributed uniformly throughout the year. Runoff in the same region varies from 200 - 500 mm, with the lowest amounts coinciding with the areas of highest agricultural water demand.

Throughout the provinces there are examples of inadequate management systems, information systems and regulatory systems designed for water management. Various measures have been implemented in an attempt to address these inadequacies but most of the programs are pilot projects specific to small geographic areas, whereas the problems are generally much more widespread. The local capacity to implement such measures varies across the Province.

There are regional variations in the extent to which farmers face agricultural water supply constraints. These variations are generally a function of factors such as moisture deficits, commodity type, presence of water sources, competition for water sources, and administration of the water allocation system. There are specific regions that were consistently identified as having water supply constraints that impact agricultural production. These are areas where for the most part irrigation is important. However, in the livestock sector, different areas of the province were impacted by the 2002 drought and were eligible for tax deferral. This highlights the need to consider the various agricultural sectors when designing programming options.

The main issues, constraints or knowledge gaps identified in the consultative process included:

• Insufficient water to meet demand in periods of low water in particular regions of the province;
• Inadequate management of available water supply and demand;
• On-farm efficiency (education and resources to improve efficiency);
• Information (water demand, water availability at critical times, knowledge of sources, etc.); and
• Ineffectiveness of the Permit To Take Water system.

2.5.2  Priorities

Specific regions were identified as having significant water supply constraints that impacted agricultural production. The constraints in these regions were primarily associated with irrigation activity. However, the study also illustrated that other regions, which were not identified as critical areas, suffered from drought and received tax deferral status. Therefore, it was recommended that in designing a water supply enhancement program, it would be important to develop criteria that are sensitive to sectoral needs. Recommended funding options included:

• Funding for studies to better understand water systems/capacities;
• Programs to increase education on water conservation;
• Programs to increase adoption of water conservation measures;
• Programs to improve participation in local initiatives such as the irrigation advisory committees or low water response teams; and,
• Funding for infrastructure improvements where immediate change/improvement can be achieved, targeted primarily at increased storage.

2.5.3  Recommended Program Principles, Elements, or Criteria

General program recommendations include assistance for broad categories of:

• On-farm infrastructure;
• Data collection and synthesis of information; and
• Start-up or operation of local initiatives (seed money).

Recommended criteria for program design and implementation include:

• Programs should be led by local stakeholders and involve partnerships;
• Existing institutional arrangements and resources should be used where possible;
• Programs that produce immediate results are more desirable;
• Measures that increase efficiency of water use are most appropriate;
• Programs should have positive benefit-cost ratios;
• Initiatives that fill knowledge gaps are desirable; and
• Programs that encourage water storage during times of adequate supply should be emphasized.

2.6  Quebec

The following text summarizes information from the report titled: Analyse des questions d'approvisionnement en eau pour le secteur d l'agriculture - Programme national d'approvisionnement en eau - Province de Québec.

2.6.1  Issues/Constraints and Information Gaps

Although as a province, Quebec may be seen as having an apparent abundance of water resources, there are localized areas where constraints are evident. The regions with the most severe constraints include the Montérégie, Lanaudière, Quebec City and Magdalen Islands regions. The primary constraints in these regions are related to irrigation requirements of field-grown crops.

Total water demand for agricultural production in Quebec is estimated at 174.1 million m3 per year. Aquaculture accounts for the largest component (42%), followed by the livestock sector (32%) and crop production (26%). Although each of these sectors experience some water supply problems, the short-term constraints experienced by the crop production sector are seen as the highest priority.

The crop production sector, in particular production of field-grown vegetables, has been under increasing pressure to maintain minimum irrigation standards to improve harvesting and production efficiencies. Constraints include a lack of water supply, inadequate infrastructure and a limited knowledge on some of the technical and economic aspects of crop irrigation.

Throughout Quebec, and relevant to all sectors, there is a lack of information on water supply, particularly with respect to measures of actual consumption by each sector, and on the capacity and the sustainability of groundwater aquifers utilized by rural communities. There is also a lack of support available for development of information on irrigation risk management (advanced technologies, water conservation etc.), and for the transfer of such technical information to the appropriate sectors.

The main issues, constraints or knowledge gaps identified in the consultative process included:

• Lack of sufficient knowledge of aquifers used by rural communities
• Lack of sufficient knowledge of the type of water supply used by farms, the amount used by each sector, and how water is stored
• Lack of sufficient knowledge to address specific water quality issues
• Lack of support for development of knowledge/tools for improved water management (e.g. irrigation efficiency and alternative irrigation technologies);
• Poor quality water for agricultural use (some regions); and,
• Lack of proper water storage facilities (ponds) including poor management and design.
• Conflicts between users from different sectors could become an issue in some areas
• Lack of infrastructure to manage irrigation water in areas where vegetable production is intense.

2.6.2  Priorities

The Quebec study recommended that although the program should be accessible to all sectors, priority should be given to the crop production sector, particularly towards solving constraints related to the irrigation of field-grown vegetables. Although the study identified particular regions where the constraints were more severe, or well documented, the report recommended that the program should be accessible to all regions, provided that the funding remains targeted towards the established priorities.

Recommended funding priorities included:

• Studies to accurately assess water use, demand and availability by the agriculture sector;
• Support for development of new irrigation technologies promoting irrigation efficiency, water conservation or technology in the vegetable production sector;
• Studies to identify solutions for specific regional water supply issues, including addressing water quality problems associated with supplies.
• Support for development of community infrastructure: feasibility studies, water supply infrastructure

2.6.3  Recommended Program Elements/Criteria

General program recommendations include assistance for broad categories of:

• Knowledge development: aquifer characterization, water quality, and water use studies
• Community water supply infrastructure

Recommended criteria for program design and implementation include:

• The use of a community approach
• Potential benefits for the agricultural community
• Involvement from many different partners
• Requirements under pending regulatory changes