Measuring up: Assessing the Progress in Water Demand Management in British Columbia, Canada

Amid growing water stress in British Columbia caused by climate change, population growth, and rising demand, local governments in Canada are adopting water demand management and conservation policies as part of broader climate adaptation efforts to promote sustainable water use and optimize efficiency. Our objective was to understand the actions local governments are taking to address climate-related impacts on the water sector. Thus, the study assesses the implementation status and progress of water demand management in British Columbia by surveying water managers from 94 local jurisdictions across the province. Our analysis focuses on four key dimensions: prioritization, planning, investment, and implementation of water demand management policies. Results reveal that 84% of surveyed jurisdictions have water efficiency/conservation plans, and 55% of household water connections are metered. Commonly implemented measures include mandatory water restrictions, volumetric pricing, leak detection, and public education campaigns, with regional policies proving more prevalent than municipal-level initiatives. Despite notable progress, implementation remains uneven, with gaps in resource allocation and many household connections still without water meters. Tracking the progress of implementing best practices in water conservation is an essential part of local climate adaptation.