Canadians have misplaced confidence in their water infrastructure: RBC study

Canadians may have a misplaced confidence in the quality of their water infrastructure, according to the fifth annual RBC Canadian Water Attitudes Study.

In a sample of more than 2,428 adult Canadians, about 80% of respondents reported feeling no need for major and immediate investment in their community’s drinking water/wastewater facilities. These survey respondents believed their water infrastructure to be in good condition and in need of only minor investment for upkeep.

And yet, more than a third (37%) of Canadians who use municipal water said they were not very aware of the condition of the water and sewage infrastructure serving their own home.

“Canadians believe in the safety of their drinking water and assume that the infrastructure that provides it is efficient,” says Bob Sandford, chairman of the Canadian Partnership Initiative of the UN Water for Life Decade. “This is a national ‘pipe dream’ because in many municipalities, water distribution and sewage pipes can be up to 80 years old and have already reached the end of their service life. In fact, reports have shown there is an $88-billion investment required to repair and build new water infrastructure in communities across Canada.”