Changes

The one water approach is predicated on the fact that drinking water, wastewater and stormwater systems share intrinsic connections, and that none of these systems can be managed in isolation from one another. The ultimate goal of the one water approach is to mimic the natural hydrologic cycle. The figure to the right illustrates how different hydrologic components are altered as progressive urbanization occurs.  

The one water approach is predicated on the fact that drinking water, wastewater and stormwater systems share intrinsic connections, and that none of these systems can be managed in isolation from one another. The ultimate goal of the one water approach is to mimic the natural hydrologic cycle. The figure to the right illustrates how different hydrologic components are altered as progressive urbanization occurs.  

In the natural hydrologic cycle, [[evapotranspiration]] and [[infiltration]] are the dominant pathways within the hydrologic cycle, and as a result this condition produces relatively little runoff. In urban environments, a rise in impervious surfaces coupled with a net loss of [[vegetation]] (interception storage and evapotranspiration) and the implementation of a dense storm sewer network significantly reduces evapotranspiration and infiltration processes and produce large amounts of urban runoff in much shorter timeframes. Within the urban water balance, piped and/or pumped potable water and wastewater discharges are also represented within the cycle.

[[Evapotranspiration]] and [[infiltration]] are the dominant pathways within the natural hydrologic cycle. As a result, natural conditions produce relatively little runoff. In urban environments, a rise in impervious surfaces coupled with a net loss of [[vegetation]] (interception storage and evapotranspiration) and the implementation of a dense storm sewer network significantly reduces evapotranspiration and infiltration processes and produce large amounts of urban runoff in much shorter timeframes. Within the urban water balance, piped and/or pumped potable water and wastewater discharges are also represented within the cycle to the right.

==Water resource management in Ontario==

==Water resource management in Ontario==