Overview of water use by the natural resources sectors

Note: Most figures and graphics in this report are derived from Industrial Water Use, 2005 produced by Statistics Canada.

The natural resources sectors comprise companies operating in the energy, forest, and minerals and metals sectors. Unless otherwise indicated, figures for the energy sector include only thermal-electric power generation facilities (e.g. nuclear and fossil fuel generation). Hydroelectric power generation and oil and gas development are treated separately.
Although the natural resources sectors accounted for nearly 80 percent of Canada’s water use in 2005, most of that use is non-consumptive (water is returned to its source after use).

Gross water use by major Canadian water-using sectors, 2005*

Figure 1a. Gross water use by major Canadian water-using sectors, 2005*

Sources: Environment Canada and Statistics Canada water use surveys

Total: 60 436.2 million cubic metres (MCM)
*Numbers may not sum to 100 due to rounding.

**Municipal includes rural.

As with other large water withdrawals, high-volume water use by natural resources companies can contribute to regional pressures on water availability. Many natural resources companies have taken steps to manage the impact of their operations on regional water supplies.
In 2005, the natural resources sectors accounted for approximately 22 percent of water consumption in Canada. By comparison, irrigation activities accounted for almost 60 percent of Canadian consumption.

Water consumption by major Canadian water-using sectors, 2005*

Sources: Environment Canada and Statistics Canada water use sruveys

*Numbers may not sum to 100 due to rounding.

Most water used by the natural resources sectors is for cooling (e.g. to cool equipment), which is why consumption rates are so low. (Water is generally not incorporated into natural resources products, as it is in some other industries. )The use of water for cooling has a negligible impact on water quality, other than a slightly heated discharge.
Freshwater may also be used in a variety of ways as part of production processes or to wash equipment. These uses often result in contaminated wastewater that must be treated before being released into the environment.
The natural resources sectors accounted for approximately 18 percent of the pollutant releases to water reported to the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) in 2003. Effluent flows from the natural resources sectors are carefully monitored and regulated, and extensive treatment methods prevent contamination of aquatic ecosystems.

Sources of pollutant releases to water, as reported to the NPRI, 2003*

Total water costs incurred by the natural resources sectors (excluding oil and gas production and hydroelectric power generation) were $1.29 billion in 2005. This amount reflects costs paid by natural resources companies to acquire (e.g. paying for water from public utilities and operating and maintaining water-related equipment), recycle and treat freshwater. The relative importance of these cost components is different for each sector.
Provincial and territorial licensing fees generally account for less than 1 percent of the total water costs paid by natural resources companies. The low cost of licensing fees reflects the fact that, on a per-unit basis, water charges in Canada are among the lowest in the world.