Reporting Ontario's Water Use under the Sustainable Water Resources Agreement

Session: 24. - Managing Water Use in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin

Jonathan Staples, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, [email protected]

Abstract

Under the terms of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Sustainable Water Resources Agreement, states and provinces within the basin annually submit aggregated water use data to a regional water use database. This information is used to support an improved scientific understanding of the impact of water withdrawals on the Basin waters and ecosystem.  In Ontario, an internet based reporting system allows permit holders to submit their water taking data electronically. This presentation will provide an overview of the data sources and methods used to incorporate the aggregated data into regional data submissions, and describe a water use database designed to semi-automate importing, preparation, management of, and reporting of the data. These advancements support improved regional estimates and reporting of water use for scientific purposes.

1. Keyword
Great Lakes basin

2. Keyword
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

4. Additional Keyword
water use reporting