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“This unique web-based tool is the shared legacy of a team of senior practitioners,” stated Kim Stephens in 2012. “It is the outcome of a process that has depended on the commitment of a number of organizations, and especially the efforts of the champions within those organizations, to produce a series of deliverables that successively advanced the practice of rainwater management within British Columbia.”

“The workshop was a one day, two-part session. It provided information about the tools, and how they have been successfully applied in other jurisdictions. The workshop was 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,” stated Brianne Czypyha

“Using the web-based Drainage Infrastructure Screening Tool, local governments can quickly and inexpensively assess drainage system performance to pinpoint any problem areas. This will help them establish capital budget priorities for detailed analysis during the design process,” states Ted van der Gulik.

“The initiative creates opportunities for knowledge sharing and transfer on both sides of the Georgia Basin so that everyone can go farther, more efficiently and effectively. The web-based Water Balance Model is a unique, scenario comparison tool; and is the foundation block for the Inter-Regional Education Initiative,” stated Kim Stephens.

“Elected representatives on the Utilities Committee learned that the Water Balance Model is a tool available to Metro Vancouver’s (municipal) members so that they will be able to more effectively and efficiently fulfil their rainwater and stormwater management actions under our region’s IntegratedLiquid Waste and Resource Management Plan,” stated Mayor Darrell Mussatto.

“The Cowichan Forum is the kick-off for an Inter-Regional Education Initiative to be implemented in four regions over several years. Sharing of experiences, collaboration, alignment and a consistent approach on Vancouver Island will allow everyone to go farther, more efficiently and effectively,” stated Kate Miller.

“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. “Stream health depends on ALL properties in a watershed. If everyone reduces their ‘water footprint’, we can then protect stream health.”

“Every pipe within each catchment is evaluated by examining the INSTALLED PIPE CAPACIY. Based on detailed modelling experience, we know that ‘problems’ fall within a narrow range. The lesson learned is that one need not model every section of pipe,” explains Jim Dumont.

“Local government plans and policies typically state that land use and infrastructure planning will consider climate change adaptation. Hence, being able to quickly and effectively model how the ‘water balance’ may change over time is a critical input to local government decision processes,” states Chris Jensen.

“In terms of educational dollars per unit of knowledge, I found the Water Balance Model workshop to be astounding value,” reports Michelle Sorensen. “The graphical results allow me to communicate relevant information about the effectiveness of rainwater capture options.”