The paper examines the Canadian experience with devolution of local water management to local agencies by senior levels of government. It draws on Canadian experience with devolution in a number fields related to public safety, including drinking water, the conclusions of Part I of the judicial inquiry into the Walkerton water tragedy, tabled in January 2002, and research conducted for Part II of the Inquiry.
The paper takes a multi-barrier approach to the protection of local water supplies and systems, considering the implications of devolution for both source water protection and the operation of local water systems. It outlines a series of general criteria for evaluation of service delivery arrangements by governments, drawing on literature and experience from Canada, the United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia, focussing on issues of performance, and governance, accountability, and democratic values.
A number of examples of devolution of water related-responsibilities to local agencies in Ontario and elsewhere are examined relative to these criteria and the findings of the Walkerton Inquiry. On the basis of this analysis key factors and considerations for the design of future systems are identified.
The paper concludes that these delegations, in general, have been poorly designed and executed, and that public safety and health have been placed at risk as a result. On the basis of this experience, a series of lessons are drawn for consideration in the design of delegations of local water management to local governments and agencies in the future, both in Canada and elsewhere in the world.
