WBM Express: "Proof-of-Concept" previewed at Nanaimo Water Balance Workshop in June 2012
Six local governments will be initial demonstration applications
In June 2012, the Regional District of Nanaimo hosted a Water Balance Model Training Workshop. This was attended by ten local governments from four regions on the east coast of Vancouver Island. The workshop provided a timely opportunity to preview the “proof-of-concept” for the Water Balance Model Express in a focus group setting.
Six Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island local governments will be the initial demonstration applications when the Express is eventually rolled out.
Look at Properties Differently
“An increasing building footprint on properties is short-circuiting the WATER BALANCE. This creates risks for local government, both financial and environmental. If we want to make change, then we have to find a way to influence landowners to look at their properties differently,” stated Richard Boase (District of North Vancouver) at a training workshop for local governments. He is Co-Chair of the Water Balance Model Partnership.
“HOW the members of the Water Balance Model Partnership plan on doing this is through the Water Balance Model Express for Landowners. As part of the approval process, this tool will allow a landowner to look at what is on the property now; and quantify the kind of footprint change they intend to make. Then they will be able to examine the water impacts associated with that change in footprint; and determine how they can make different decisions about how to manage that change.”
Apply Watershed-Specific Performance Targets
“Three watershed-specific performance targets that link rainfall to stream health are pre-set by local government. When the landowner clicks on a pop-up location map, much like for garbage collection schedules, it pre-sets the target values by zone. The Express guides the landowner through an iterative PASS/FAIL process to select and test options and choices.”
“Stream health depends on ALL properties in a watershed. If everyone reduces their ‘water footprint’, and if we ensure the integrity of groundwater flow, we can then protect stream health,” concluded Richard Boase.
TO LEARN MORE:
To read the complete story about the preview presentation by Richard Boase, click on ‘Water Balance Model Express for Landowners’ previewed at workshop hosted by Regional District of Nanaimo
