Cowichan Valley Regional District is the latest local government to become a Water Balance Model Partner
An Inter-Governmental Partnership
Abbotsford – The Inter-Governmental Partnership (IGP) is pleased to welcome the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) to the Water Balance Model community. Other Vancouver Island members comprise the City of Courtenay, Town of Comox, District of Highlands, District of Central Saanich, and District of Metchosin.
“We believe that the expanding membership of the IGP reflects the groundswell of support among local governments for doing business differently…. so that together we can achieve the Living Water Smart vision for creating liveable communities and protecting stream health,” states Ted van der Gulik, IGP Chair (and Senior Engineer with the BC Ministry of Agriculture & Lands).
A Message from the Chair of the Regional District
“The Cowichan Valley Regional District is pleased to partner with the province and other local governments to bring the Water Balance Model tool to citizens of the Cowichan Valley,” states Gerry Giles, Chair of the Cowichan Valley Regional District.”
“The CVRD Board and Staff see our participation in this inter-governmental partnership as an excellent opportunity to advance the “design with nature” vision, goals and objectives of the Water Balance Model initiative throughout our region.”
To Learn More
To read the complete story that is posted elsewhere, click on Cowichan Valley Regional District is the sixth Vancouver Island local government to join Water Balance Model community.
Vancouver Island Coordinating Team
The CVRD is also a founding member of the Vancouver Island Coordinating Team. VICT is the local government arm of CAVI – Convening for Action on Vancouver Island, and is also a sub-group of the IGP.
“VICT emphasizes building relationships and dialogue with local governments in order to advance integration of rainwater management with green infrastructure,” states Jay Bradley, VICT Chair. He is a long serving member of the Water Balance Model steering committee, and represents VICT on the CAVI Leadership Team.
Fostering Understanding
“We are fostering a growing understanding of the fact that what goes on at a site, in terms of how rainwater is treated, is linked not only to stream and watershed health, but also to our social well-being and aesthetics of our communities.”
“Unlike the pipe-and-convey approach, the use of source control features is an investment in green value that brings returns for the developer and end-users of a site.”
“The Province is providing communities with the tools to do business differently. The web-based Water Balance Model is one of the tools that will enable local governments and the development community to protect stream health.”
What is the Water Balance Model?
The new “Water Balance Model powered by QUALHYMO” is unique, bridges engineering and planning, links development sites to the stream and watershed, and enables local governments to establish science-based runoff performance targets.
To learn more, click on the following link to an article in the April 2008 issue of Runoff: Create Liveable Communities and Protect Stream Health: Water Balance Model powered by QUALHYMO integrates the site with the watershed and the stream.
Posted March 2010