Aging Canada to Strain Transit, Infrastructure

"The analysis, released by Infrastructure Canada, warned that economic and health problems could ensue because of lower water consumption by an aging population that could lead to decreased flow and build up of solids in pipes designed for higher volumes of water.

"If demand flow falls below a critical level in supply lines, it can have serious hygiene and efficiency implications, as well as associated costs," warns the report, Population Aging and Public Infrastructure: a Literature Review of Impacts in Developing countries.

The report, submitted to the government by PricewaterhouseCoopers last April, said the problems could include bacteria in drinking water from systems that have been designed to accommodate growing populations and increasing demand, particularly in suburban neighbourhoods."