Metro Vancouver Densification Impact Assessment

The study used GIS and data analysis methods combined with residential water use modelling to define the projected impact of urban densification on residential water demands in Metro Vancouver.

The project included:

• analyzing in detail current demands from meter data, census data, lot areas and irrigable areas to develop current unit rates from four member municipalities
• developing GIS based residential land use and population forecasts.
• Completing detailed lot-level case studies to confirm water demand rates
• combining the developed unit rates and residential forecasts to estimate year 2041 demands.

The study also assessed the potential effects of five water conservation initiatives: high-efficiency toilet rebates, clothes washer rebates, grey water re-use, native plants landscaping, and increasing topsoil depths.