2012 Canadian Infrastructure Report Card

The Canadian Infrastructure Report Card assesses the condition of infrastructure in four categories: drinking water, wastewater, stormwater and municipal roads. Data is based on 2009–2010 survey responses from 123 Canadian municipalities.

The findings at a glance:

Stormwater systems: Very good; fit for the future
Drinking water and Wastewater systems: Good; adequate for now
Roads: Fair; require attention

Findings show about 30% of municipal infrastructure is assessed as between fair and very poor, and that many municipalities lack the capacity to manage their infrastructure.

Drinking Water

Grade: Good; adequate for now

Rated good overall, 15.4% of the drinking-water systems surveyed were rated fair to very poor for the condition of their pipes; 14.4% were rated fair to very poor for the condition of their plants, reservoirs and pumping stations.

Wastewater Collection & Treatment

Grade: Good: adequate for now

Rated good overall, 40.3% of wastewater plants, pumping stations and storage tanks are in fair to very poor condition; 30.1% of pipes are in fair to very poor condition.

Stormwater Management

Grade: Very good; fit for the future

Rated very good overall, 12.5% of stormwater facilities were assessed as being in less than good condition. For stormwater pipes, the figure was higher: 23.4%.

Municipal Roads

Grade: Fair, requires attention

More than half the road assessments fell below good condition: 32% are considered in fair condition, while 20.6% are considered in poor to very poor condition.

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About the Rating System

Very Good: Fit for the future (80% or higher)

The infrastructure in the system or network is generally in very good condition, typically new or recently rehabilitated. A few elements show general signs of deterioration that require attention.

Good: Adequate for now: (70% to 80%)

The infrastructure in the system or network is in good condition; some elements show general signs of deterioration that require attention. A few elements exhibit significant deficiencies.

Fair: Requires Attention (60% to 69%)

The infrastructure in the system or network is in fair condition; it shows general signs of deterioration and requires attention. Some elements exhibit significant deficiencies.

Poor: At Risk (50% to 59%)

The infrastructure in the system or network is in poor condition and mostly below standard, with many elements approaching the end of their service life. A large portion of the system exhibits significant deterioration.

Very Poor: Unfit for Sustained Service (50% or Less)

The infrastructure in the system or network is in unacceptable condition, with widespread signs of advanced deterioration. Many components in the system exhibit signs of imminent failure, which is affecting service.