Blog

EPCOR Releases Citizen Survey Results on Flood Mitigation Priorities

Posted on Oct 29, 2018 in Modelling and Calculators, Guidance Documents , Flooding

EPCOR has released the results of its public survey on citizen priorities for protecting against floods and proposes to review a mix of grey and green solutions.

City of Calgary Releases Source Water Protection Plan

Posted on Oct 29, 2018 in Guidance Documents , Water Quality

The City of Calgary has released its Source Water Protection Plan. The two main risks identified in the plan are stormwater and wildfire.

Insurance Bureau of Canada releases report on Natural Infrastructure valuation

Posted on Oct 29, 2018 in Feasibility, Valuation

The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) has released Combatting Canada’s Rising Flood Costs: Natural infrastructure is an underutilized option. The report affirms that flood risk can be reduced by conserving and restoring natural infrastructure, such as wetlands, and that the return on investment of natural infrastructure can at times exceed that of built infrastructure, such as dams and dikes.

CBC Radio visits green roofs in Edmonton celebrating recent research published by the U of A

Posted on May 24, 2018 in Climate change adaptation, green roofs, Biodiversity, Research

Radio Canada Alberta caught up with U of A Research Associate Colin Bergeron, visiting two green roofs in Edmonton, celebrating the recent release of Bergeron's arthropod research and touting the benefits of green roofs.

Green roofs useful for conserving threatened grassland and prairie habitats, Edmonton research suggests

Posted on May 24, 2018 in Climate change adaptation, green roofs, Biodiversity, Research

Beetles and spiders find their way to green roofs and readily colonize them, shows recent Edmonton research. So what?

Nose Creek Watershed Water Management Plan completes round of engagement on final draft

Posted on May 23, 2018 in Guidance Documents , Volume Targets, Stream Stability, Water Quality, Riparian Setbacks

Nose Creek was the first watershed in Alberta to implement a runoff volume control target. The updated plan calls for the target to be held at the 2013 level pending additional modelling and monitoring work and introduction of provincial reuse policy, guidelines, and performance criteria. In addition, the plan calls for a redevelopment runoff volume control target and related water quality objectives to be established, and to improve certainty and timeliness of approvals incorporating LID. The plan also addresses riparian setbacks and water quality. Comments are being accepted until June 15, 2018.

CSA Erosion and Sediment Control Inspection and Monitoring Standard Now Open for Review

Posted on May 22, 2018 in Guidance Documents , Inspection, Monitoring, Erosion and Sediment Control

This Standard specifies minimum requirements for the inspection of ESC measures throughout the duration of a construction project, as well as requirements and recommendations for monitoring certain water quality parameters. Review is open until July 2, 2018.

National bioretention design and construction standards are open for public review

Posted on Apr 09, 2018 in Guidance Documents , Design, Construction, Bioretention, Climate change adaptation

The National Research Council of Canada, under its Climate Resilient Buildings and Core Public Infrastructure Program, is supporting the development of standards that integrate and enhance climate change adaptation. The Green Infrastructure Technical Committee has produced its first standards, now open for public review, on the Design and Construction of Bioretention Systems.

Public comments are open until April 23, 2018 for the construction standard; and May 27 for the design standard.

Planting at New Street across from the Calgary Zoo was a hit

Posted on Jun 15, 2017 in Stewardship, Native Plants, Riparian Restoration, Homeowner Action, Volunteers

We had a great time planting and we had a front row seat to the removal work of the old bridge at 12 St S.E. More photos to come.

U.S. EPA has released a new cost estimation tool for its National Stormwater Calculator

Posted on May 17, 2017 in Modelling and Calculators, U.S. EPA, Feasibility

The U.S. EPA has released a new planning level cost estimation tool for its National Stormwater Calculator. There's also a nifty short video explaining the need for stormwater controls from a water quality perspective.