Exploring a New Regionalism-Based Approach to Managing Drinking Water Systems in Rural Regions

ABSTRACT

Rural regions face many challenges when managing drinking water systems. Current management approaches lack the ability to deal with the complexity that surrounds these infrastructure systems and the critical service they provide, in particular, the links between these systems and the economy and environment. This research explores the potential for an alternative approach. The proposed new regionalism-based approach recognizes and accounts for the myriad of influencing factors, using different mechanisms to support and encourage drinking water systems in fulfilling their potential role in supporting regional resilience. Using a case study approach, data collected from semistructured interviews indicate that elements of the proposed approach are already in use within the Kootenay Development Region of British Columbia, Canada. Results indicate that while the need for an alternate management approach is recognized, and elements of the proposed approach are increasingly applied, substantive barriers remain, such as the existing institutional and jurisdictional structure.

KEYWORDS:

• New regionalism
• regional resilience
• rural communities
• water

Acknowledgments

Thank you to all of the people from the Kootenays who participated in this project—without your help this research would not have been possible. I would also like to acknowledge the foundational work of the Canadian Regional Development project team and all of the team members for their support, particularly Sean Markey, Kelly Vodden, and Sarah Minnes.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.