Grant to aid innovative ideas for managing stormwater

City hall will receive the remainder of a $175,000 grant this year to study low-impact approaches to stormwater management.

The project was approved under the $635-million Green Municipal Fund last year, said Francine Pressault, spokeswoman for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

A portion of the grant, about $91,000, has already been disbursed, while the outstanding portion will be released when final project reporting and mandatory forms have been completed and submitted, she said Monday.

The fund supports initiatives that advance innovative solutions to environmental challenges, a news release said Monday.

These projects improve air, water and land quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and generate economic and social benefits to local communities, it said.

SUSTAINABILITY

Municipalities share lessons learned and successful new models for advancing sustainability in communities of all sizes in all regions across Canada.

The federation administers the fund on behalf of the federal government.

Epcor spokesman Tim le Riche said because the city’s drainage service was transferred to Epcor last year, it will be managing the completion of the work.

He said low-impact development (LID) is a sustainable effort that aims to mimic natural runoff conditions. In doing so, it can result in improved stormwater management and improve the quality of water returning to rivers.

LONG-TERM STRATEGY

The purpose of this study is to assess potential costs and benefits of any implementation of LID in the mature, industrial and core areas of the city, le Riche said.

The goals of the study are to quantify the costs and benefits of LID implementation scenarios, including reductions in runoff volume; and recommend policy and program changes to support LID.

The study, which is for the most part completed, will be part of Epcor’s overall long-term stormwater strategy, he said.

“The … funding is for a desktop study only; any recommendations will be further investigated before any implementation,” le Riche said.