A small community in B.C.’s East Kootenay region is facing a puzzling situation where water consumption per person is nearly double the national average. According to the latest annual drinking water report from Canal Flats, the village of around 889 residents recorded approximately 690 liters of water usage per person daily in 2025, which is just over twice the Canadian average of 335 liters.
Officials are concerned about this discrepancy not only because it raises alarms about water conservation but also because it highlights a significant knowledge gap regarding the village’s water system. Cynthia White, the chief administrative officer of Canal Flats, mentioned that while they are aware of the water entering the system, the lack of water meters hinders their ability to determine the actual amount reaching the end users.
The absence of water meters poses a challenge for Canal Flats in identifying whether the high consumption figure is attributed to genuine usage, leaks, or a combination of both. Aging infrastructure compounds the issue, with some of the village’s water infrastructure dating back several decades, including aging water mains that may have contributed to the ongoing problem.
In contrast, the provincial government is investing in water meters for other small and rural communities. In May 2025, the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs announced a $50-million water-monitoring pilot program aimed at assisting 19 small, rural, and First Nations communities. This initiative is set to support the installation of nearly 15,000 automated water meters, covering a substantial portion of eligible costs and potentially saving up to 1.5 billion liters of water annually. The program’s objective is to help communities identify leaks, conserve drinking water, and enhance readiness for dry periods, potentially reducing water usage by up to 30%.
Although Canal Flats is not currently included in the list of selected communities for the water metering program, leak detection activities are scheduled to commence in the village soon. White emphasized the importance of gathering leak detection data before considering the installation of water meters, outlining a plan to divide the water system into segments for systematic leak detection over the next few years.
The proactive approach aims to address the water consumption anomaly in Canal Flats gradually, with repairs and prioritization based on the findings from the leak detection process. The village anticipates that this systematic approach could span four to five years, contingent on the outcomes of the investigations and repair prioritization.
