Changes

treatment train approach and application of low impact development practices are all

treatment train approach and application of low impact development practices are all

becoming common practice in these jurisdictions.

becoming common practice in these jurisdictions.

Two recent documents, one prepared by the City of Toronto and the other prepared by

Two recent documents, one prepared by the City of Toronto and the other prepared by

the Greater Vancouver Regional District summarize how the approach to stormwater

the Greater Vancouver Regional District summarize how the approach to stormwater

management needs to change.

management needs to change.

Rainwater should be treated as a resource to nourish and enhance the

Rainwater should be treated as a resource to nourish and enhance the

City’s environment. Management should begin where precipitation hits

City’s environment. Management should begin where precipitation hits

* how to integrate stormwater management into the urban planning process;

* how to integrate stormwater management into the urban planning process;

* how to design, construct and maintain a range of LID stormwater management

* how to design, construct and maintain a range of LID stormwater management practices; and

practices; and

* the kinds of environmental and performance monitoring that should be carried out.

* the kinds of environmental and performance monitoring that should be carried

out.

Acknowledging that it will not always be possible to maintain the predevelopment water

Acknowledging that it will not always be possible to maintain the predevelopment water

practices can include:

practices can include:

* conservation site design strategies (i.e., non-structural LID practices);

* conservation site design strategies (i.e., non-structural LID practices);

* infiltration practices;

* infiltration practices;

* rainwater harvesting;

* rainwater harvesting;

* runoff storage and evapotranspiration;

* runoff storage and evapotranspiration;

* runoff conveyance;

* runoff conveyance;

* filtration practices; and landscaping.

* filtration practices; and landscaping.

   

   

Studies show that implementing LID practices can have multiple positive environmental effects including:

Studies show that implementing LID practices can have multiple positive environmental effects including:

* protection of downstream resources;

* protection of downstream resources;

* abatement of pollution;

* abatement of pollution;

* recharge of groundwater;

* recharge of groundwater;

* improvement of water quality;

* improvement of water quality;

* improvement of habitat;

* improvement of habitat;

* reduced downstream flooding and erosion;

* reduced downstream flooding and erosion;

* conservation of water and energy; and

* conservation of water and energy; and

* improved aesthetics in streams and rivers.

* improved aesthetics in streams and rivers.

These combined benefits help to mitigate potential negative impacts of climate change

These combined benefits help to mitigate potential negative impacts of climate change

on groundwater levels, risk of flooding and stream channel erosion.

on groundwater levels, risk of flooding and stream channel erosion.