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Click on “Read Article” first. Then click on links to access these versions of the Express: North Vancouver, Cowichan Region, Surrey, Coquitlam and Comox Valley in BC; and Membertou in Cape Breton.

The Express helps landowners quantify how well rain gardens on their properties slow, sink and spread runoff. The Express is populated with watershed targets determined by applying the Water Balance Methodology. The flow-duration relationship is the cornerstone of the methodology. “North Vancouver District undertook the ‘proof of concept’ for Express development as an element of its Hastings Creek watershed plan. Other local government leaders have followed. Each time the tool is enhanced,” wrote Richard Boase.

“The Water Balance Express tool is an example of how science can be translated into a meaningful form to help inform non-scientists on how to contribute to positive change. The video tutorial is helpful in demonstrating how the addition of the ‘Lego blocks’ can improve the stream health score,” states Julie Wilson. “The tool allows people to think about water in a different way, by conceptualizing how it behaves as it moves on and around their property.”

Framed for a broad audience, “DRainscapes” is a three-minute animation that explains the link between a single yard and the watershed system. “Finding ways to share the tools of our profession with wide audiences is increasingly necessary. It defines our ability to quickly adapt to our increasingly erratic environment, as citizens and cities implement the tools we have created to mitigate the impacts of development and climate change,” states Daniel Roehr.

“The Express supports the Cowichan Valley Regional District objectives of protecting, restoring and enhancing the natural environment and environmentally sensitive development. The tool specifically supports the strategic direction to develop a rainwater management strategy and to provide information and support to residents interested in watershed sensitive development,” stated Jeff Moore.

“We see there is a gap in practitioner education and professional development. Our objective is to create a pool of trained and qualified practitioners of the Water Balance Methodology. From a local government perspective, you need that assurance that what you are getting in the way of analyses is being completed correctly,” stated Kim Stephens.

“Slow it – Sink it – Spread it. This simple saying summarizes the means by which we can manage Rain Water to alleviate both drought and flooding. This saying also summarizes the purpose behind the Water Balance Model Express,” stated Glenn Westendorp. “The Express allows home owners and small developers the ability to explore the means by which they can compensate for their effects on the environment and our aging infrastructure.”

In 2002, looking at rainfall differently led the Province of British Columbia to adopt the Water Balance Methodology. This resulted in development of the Water Balance Model. “The series was selected from 75 submissions made by conservation authorities and non-governmental organizations from across the country. It met the project’s mandate to showcase viable and cost-effective adaptation solutions that ultimately will be replicated in communities across the country,” stated Dr. Blair Feltmate.

“The Pitu’paq Partnership is a unique collaboration of Mi’kmaq and non-Mi’kmaq communities in Cape Breton Island, forming ten communities in all. The Pitu’paq Partnership learned early that in order to make good decisions about water, it needed to think like water. Water does not know boundaries of politics or culture, but it does hold the memory and tell the story of every contaminant we put into the land, air and water itself,” stated Laurie Suitor.

“When our long term collaborator at the District of North Vancouver, Richard Boase, informed us of some of the new tools available to support rainwater management and planning in the District, I immediately knew I wanted to incorporate them into an assignment for the Urban Watershed Management course,” states Julie Wilson. “The students appreciated the power and utility of these kinds of tools to engage with the public on issues of development and rainwater management.”