The National Strategy for Critical Infrastructure aims to make Canada’s 10 critical infrastructure sectors, one of which is water, more resilient. In keeping with the strategy, the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA) has partnered with us to develop an all-hazards risk profile for the water sector which includes interdependencies and information sharing between the water sector and other critical infrastructure sectors.
This paper has three objectives. First, it reviews physical threats to water security in Canada and considers existing water security policy and legislation from Canadian provinces and territories in relation to theories that guide water security management. Then, it presents findings from semi-structured interviews with managers and employees of large, medium and small water utilities across Canada about goverance issues. Lastly, it presents findings from a national survey of CWWA member organisations used to construct their risk profiles.
Our review of physical threats to water security and associated policy and practice suggest that water security management needs to develop in new directions to address emerging threats. Several management approaches are currently shaping water security practices, including ecosystem-based management, integrated management, and adaptive management. A variety of regulatory frameworks are also intended to influence water security practices, including the ISO Risk Management Principles and Guidelines, the Water Security Risk Assessment Framework, and the Water Security Status Indicator Framework. Water security practices have evolved over time from a focus on natural hazards, to man-made hazards, and now to an all-hazards approach. One of the most notable trends in water security management is the emergence of water ISACs for communicating risks and sharing best practices.
We also uncovered a number of emerging water security theories in our review which indicate a general shift away from “guns and gates” and towards a broader understanding of water security as interdependent with various sectors, as well as economic, ecological, social, and political factors. While these theories have yet to be codified as concrete practices, they may indicate areas in which water security and management need to be improved. Knowledge commons, normal accidents, and insider threats are all examples of theories, frameworks, or concepts of control and risk management that may apply to the management of the water supply. The findings from these reviews have informed the development of our semi-structured interview questions and the national questionnaire survey which will provide an evidence-base for water security policy and practice in Canada and pehaps other countries.