Rainwater Management in Central Saanich: Surface Water Management Bylaw encourages landscape-based solutions to reduce 'hydrologic footprint'

 

District of central saanich - map (360p)

 

Capture Rain, Where It Falls

In February 2010, the District of Central Saanich on southern Vancouver Island adopted the Surface Water Management Bylaw. This regulatory tool requires rainwater capture, where it falls, when properties are developed or redeveloped. It also encourages use of the Water Balance Model.

 

Use of Soil and Landscaping

“The Bylaw gives us the means to restore the water balance when properties redevelop. Our understanding is that Central Saanich is the only BC municipality District of central saanich - nirmal and roland (200p)to have this type of bylaw. Other municipalities have policies,” states Nirmal Bhattacharya, Municipal Engineer.

“We are already seeing how people are viewing their properties differently now that we can point them to the Water Balance Model. Their use of the tool is raising their awareness of how they can achieve rainfall capture; and they are learning how to use soil and landscaping as an alternative to storage tanks,” adds Roland Rocheleau.

 

To Learn More:

To read the complete story, click on Rainwater Management in Central Saanich: Surface Water Management Bylaw requires rainwater runoff capture to reduce the ‘hydrologic footprint’

 

Posted May 2010