Metro Vancouver has adopted the updated Drinking Water Management Plan, which sets out how it will continue to deliver high-quality drinking water while responding to the challenges of climate change, population growth, and aging infrastructure.

"In Metro Vancouver, we have some of the best drinking water in the world and that's not by accident. It's due to decades of hard work, collaboration, and careful planning," said Mike Hurley, Chair of Metro Vancouver's Boards. "Long-term strategies like our Drinking Water Management Plan help ensure our system stays resilient, reliable, and affordable."

A key advancement in this updated plan is the region's stronger, more coordinated focus on water conservation. For the first time, the plan outlines a regional target to keep per-person water use to a maximum of 320 litres per day by 2035 a shared benchmark that everyone can work toward. In 2023, Metro Vancouverites used 384 litres of drinking water per person per day.

More than 60,000 people from across the region provided input through surveys, events, workshops, and review sessions, helping shape the plan and making sure it reflects the values and priorities of the region's residents. Updating the Drinking Water Management Plan also involved extensive background research and engagement with member jurisdictions, First Nations, post-secondary institutions, industries, and the public.

"The feedback we heard during this collaborative process showed us that we were on the right track particularly around conservation, environmental protection, drought preparedness, and long-term resilience," said Brad West, Chair of Metro Vancouver's Water Committee. "This plan will help us manage risk and ensure we can reliably deliver high-quality drinking water for generations to come."

The Drinking Water Management Plan lays out the following priorities and actions:

• Strengthen system resilience to earthquakes and extreme weather
• Maintain and renew aging infrastructure
• Plan responsibly for continued population growth
• Optimize how we use existing infrastructure
• Advance conservation and encourage uptake of metering by member jurisdictions
• Protect source waters and environmental health
• Build and retain the expertise needed to manage and operate a complex regional system

Metro Vancouver ensures more than three million residents receive safe, high-quality drinking water every day. Working with member jurisdictions, Metro Vancouver manages a regional system of protected water supply areas, dams, treatment facilities, reservoirs, pump stations, and water mains to keep drinking water flowing reliably throughout the region.

Learn more and read the plan here: metrovancouver.org/services/water/drinking-water-management-plan .