Smart Water Solutions for Canada's Evolving Infrastructure

Reliable water and wastewater systems are fundamental to the prosperity of Canadians, playing a crucial role in public health, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.

As Canada's population continues to grow and existing infrastructure shows signs of aging, the nation's water and wastewater systems face new challenges. These systems, many of which were not designed for the current scale or velocity of change, are increasingly vulnerable. With climate change exacerbating these pressures, the need for innovative and sustainable water solutions has never been more urgent.

Upgrading and modernizing Canada’s water and wastewater infrastructure is critical to national development projects prioritized by government entities. WSP, Canada's largest engineering and professional services firm, is at the forefront of creating resilient and advanced systems that ensure equitable access to water for all Canadians.

Understanding the Challenges in Water Infrastructure

“Climate resilience is the foremost challenge for water and wastewater infrastructure,” asserts Ansel Bather, National Vice President of Water & Wastewater at WSP in Canada. The increasing frequency of extreme weather events, including intense rainfall and severe storms, is overwhelming existing systems, necessitating the design of solutions that are prepared for future uncertainties and can protect both residents and businesses.

Recent climatic events have laid bare the vulnerabilities within Canada’s water management systems. For instance, in July 2024, Toronto experienced a record-breaking rainfall of 100 millimeters within just three hours, leading to extensive flooding and damages estimated at $1 billion. Similarly, British Columbia faced catastrophic flooding and landslides in November 2021, with damages exceeding $7.5 billion, marking it as the most expensive natural disaster in Canadian history.

These occurrences are closely linked to the aging infrastructure, which is becoming increasingly prone to failure. In 2022, Statistics Canada revealed that 11% of water and wastewater assets were classified as “poor” or “very poor.” Moreover, water leakage rates rose from 11% in 2011 to 17% in 2021, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive upgrades.

Leveraging Global Expertise for Local Solutions

The necessity for building resilient water infrastructure amid climate change is a global challenge. WSP’s international experience and diverse expertise provide a significant advantage in tackling complex water and wastewater projects across Canada. Their multidisciplinary approach encompasses various sectors, including transportation, infrastructure, energy, and environmental services.

“A distinguishing feature of WSP is our integrated network of specialists involved in infrastructure projects,” explains Mr. Bather. “We can incorporate the insights of geotechnical engineers, tunneling experts, hydrogeologists, and environmental scientists to craft customized solutions for Canadian water systems, even when faced with intricate technical and community challenges.”

WSP is also recognized as a leader in digital innovation within the consulting sector. For water-related infrastructure projects, this digital proficiency is bolstered by WSP's role as Canada’s largest provider of private weather data through its Advanced Weather Intelligence platform.

Community Engagement and Smart Asset Management

“We prioritize community engagement as much as we do technical proficiency and environmental responsibility,” states Mr. Bather. Infrastructure projects must serve the people they affect; therefore, incorporating local perspectives is essential. WSP employs certified engagement and communication specialists to ensure community voices are heard in the development of solutions.

These advanced systems enable clients to implement smart asset management, effectively preventing water main failures and flooding. By creating digital models of water distribution systems, WSP leverages advanced weather tools to predict storms, simulate their potential impacts, and inform preemptive actions.

Over the past decade, WSP has served as both engineer and program manager for a watermain rehabilitation project in one of Canada’s largest cities, achieving a remarkable 60% reduction in annual watermain breaks. The team introduced innovative strategies to enhance efficiency and foster community trust while utilizing machine learning technologies to automate the review of CCTV footage and detect defects.

The Role of Innovation in Water Infrastructure

“Globally, more communities are turning to tunneling as a means of constructing their water and wastewater infrastructure,” notes Mr. Bather. Underground systems are particularly beneficial in densely populated areas, minimizing public disruption. Tunneling offers vast economic, environmental, and social advantages compared to traditional surface construction methods.

WSP understands the importance of community involvement in infrastructure projects. Their commitment to engaging with local populations is matched by their technical expertise in design and construction. “Listening to community voices is paramount,” emphasizes Mr. Bather.

Among the significant advantages of utilizing a tunnel solution are:

• Reduced construction impacts on the community
• Minimized disruption to the environment
• Lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to open trench excavation
• Less waste material needing disposal

WSP has established itself as a leader in designing and constructing large underground conveyance solutions, boasting a successful track record of tunneling projects for water and other applications worldwide. The firm is well-equipped to adapt its expertise to meet the unique conditions and project requirements in Canada.

WSP's Notable Achievements in Tunneling