Water Balance Model Workshop supports Capital Region's Integrated Watershed Management Implementation Strategy
Note to Reader:
In 2012, the Partnership for Water Sustainabiliity in British Columbia implemented a ‘proof of approach’ on Vancouver Island to demonstrate how to make inter-regional collaboration tangible. The Partnership brought together four regional districts, including the Capital Regional District, to implement the Inter-Regional Educational Initiative (IREI). The initiative provides a framework for consistent application of tools and understanding to integrate the Site with the Watershed and the Stream.
Sustainable Rainwater Management: Mimic the Water Balance!
On November 29, the Capital Regional District (CRD) concludes the first round of inter-regional “sharing and learning” events in the proof-of-approach phase of IREI implementation. The CRD is hosting a workshop that features both the Water Balance Model Express for Landowners and the Drainage Infrastructure Screening Tool.
“The workshop informs and supports the goals of the region’s Integrated Watershed Management Implementation Strategy,” states the CRD’s Dale Green. He is Program 
Manager of the Stormwater, Harbours and Watershed Program.
“Moving to a watershed-focused program is allowing the CRD to support the municipalities and electoral areas with new strategies for environmental protection, including an increased focus on dealing with watershed stressors near the source rather than at the infrastructure or receiving environment level.”
“Additionally, the strategy supports efforts in watersheds that cross municipal boundaries and provides guidance towards measuring watershed and receiving environment health to better assess program efforts.”
“Local governments have many competing priorities and everyone is challenged to achieve more with the same resources in order to reduce risk, improve watershed health and comply with regulatory requirements.”
“The web-based Express and Screening Tool will help municipalities in managing rainwater effectively and affordably, while collaborating in a watershed sustainability context,” concludes Dale Green.
Workshop Two-Part Structure
“The workshop is a one day, two-part session that can be attended as either a full- or half-day. The morning segment provides information about the tools, and how they have been successfully applied in other jurisdictions. The afternoon is a hands-on learning 
opportunityin a computer lab setting,” continues Brianne Czypyha, CRD Environmental Science Officer.
“The morning is designed to provide everyone – from general managers to technicians – with a common understanding of the WHY, WHAT and HOW of better delivering on regulatory objectives and compliance.”
“The web-based Water Balance Model Express and Drainage Infrastructure Screening Tool will be especially useful for municipalities who are encouraging sustainable rainwater management practices in their communities.”
How to Register:
To register for the workshop, and to see the full agenda, please visit the CivicInfo website: http://www.civicinfo.bc.ca/event/2012/WBMWorkshop.asp (Registration deadline is November 23, 2012)
To download the invitation circulated by the CRD to its municipal members, click here.
