The study will include surveys, focus groups and public information sessions and is funded by the ‘Greening Ontario’ fund, a provincial initiative.

“In order for the Public Utilities Commission to promote practical and effective water conservation measures in our community we must know how water is currently being used by consumers,” said PUC President Brian Curran. “We need to know how efficient current water devices and appliances are in the home and we need to understand whether consumers are willing to take action to reduce their water consumption.”

Data collected in the survey will provide a base-line understanding of attitudes and water use.

“Water conservation is of increasing concern around the world,” stated NORDIK Research Director, Dr. Gayle Broad. “And many people would like to decrease their ‘environmental footprint’ but aren’t certain how to go about that. We believe that this research will help local residents understand the beneficial impact of simple small changes in their home.”

Those changes include such items as rainwater use for gardening, and use of newer appliances that have adopted conservation standards.

The survey, which will take only about 10 minutes to complete, will be distributed to every household in Sault Ste. Marie over the next few weeks via an information package contained in their PUC invoice, with a goal of survey completion by mid-March.

NORDIK research assistants will be collecting the data to ensure anonymity of research participants.

Participants may complete the survey either online, by requesting a paper copy from NORDIK, or alternatively by telephone.

For a paper or telephone survey please contact Victoria Thomas at 705-949-2301 ext. 4357 or Ian Brodie at 705-949-2301 ext. 4370.

The research process began when Edith Orr, manager of the Johnson Township Farmers’ Market, approached David Thompson and Nairne Cameron with an interest in examining the flow of local food into the Sault Ste. Marie marketplace. This research project aims to assist local farmers in coordinating their supply chain while identifying market opportunities and bottlenecks in the local food system.

David Thompson (NORDIK Institute) and Dr. Nairne Cameron from the Geography Department of Algoma University put together a team of researchers to administer the survey and map research results. The team consists of Katrina Holkko, an Algoma U (Community Economic and Social Development) student tasked with survey administration and Maddy Foggia, a Sault College GIS student tasked with mapping research results.

Support has been generated for the project from the Algoma Food Network and the local Mennonite community in Central Algoma. The Sault Ste. Marie Community Development Corporation has also put their support behind the project through the Local Initiatives Fund.

Any restaurants, food businesses or farmers that are interested in participating can contact David Thompson at (705) 949-2301 x3028 or thompsond@algomau.ca

This research project builds on NORDIK Institute’s previous work around food security and food sovereignty through the Algoma Sheep & Lamb Producers Association, Algoma Food Network, Penokean Hills Farms, and the Rural Agri-Food Innovation Network in partnership with the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre.

• Project portfolios, featuring past and present projects with reports and resources.
• Researcher profiles, highlighting both academic and community researchers with articles and publications.

These features and more will be launched at the end of January. Be sure to stay tuned to us on Twitter, Facebook, or RSS for news and events.