“Metro Vancouver has contributed $50,000 to fund further enhancement of the Water Balance Model because widespread use of this decision tool will help Metro Vancouver and members fulfil our regulatory commitments, in particular those related to integrated rainwater management,” stated Port Coquitlam Mayor Greg Moore, Chair of the Metro Vancouver Board.
“The 5-week turnaround in completing all the steps necessary to facilitate the Partnership’s request for co-funding was absolutely amazing. When one considers what had to be accomplished by so many individuals in a compressed period of time, it truly was unbelievable how quickly things came together,” stated Tim Pringle
“Co-funding the Water Balance Model provides value and scale of economy to Metro Vancouver municipal members. Therefore, the Board approved a $50,000 contribution to co-fund development and directed staff to prepare the necessary budget documents and bylaws,” stated Chair Lois Jackson.
“The recommendation by REAC provided the Waste Management Committee with what we needed to keep the process moving forward,” stated West Vancouver Mayor Pamela Goldsmith-Jones. “We voted to support the request for a $50,000 grant and our next step was to refer the request to the Metro Vancouver Regional Board for their consideration.”
According to Albert van Roodselaar, REAC members made a recommendation about the benefits to member municipalities that helped the Waste Management Committee decide to approve the funding request.
“The ‘missing link’ has been the single family detached dwelling. Yet, the ultimate audience goes well beyond homeowners. The WBM Express is a vehicle to connect with builders, developers, consultants, real estate agents and students/educators,” stated Kim Stephens.
“The general concept is that a simplified version of the full WBM could be used through a user-friendly interface targeted at property owners and small lot developers to assist these users during land development and redevelopment,” summarized John McMahon. “This would provide a functional tool to help implement positive change one lot at a time, and would then have watershed-wide beneficial impacts.”
“The technical team brainstormed and assessed the feasibility of a range of approaches to implementing the focus group vision for the WBM Express,” recalls Ted van der Gulik. “By the end of the day, Key Principles had been identified. These would subsequently guide the initial phases of work plan development.”
“The vision for the WBM Express aligns with the goals, strategies and actions in the Metro Vancouver region’s Integrated Liquid Waste & Resource Management Plan, adopted by the Regional Board in May 2010. In fact, development of the WBM Express would allow Metro Vancouver member municipalities to better deliver on regulatory compliance,” reported Robert Hicks.
The Surface Water Management Bylaw championed by Nirmal Bhattacharya and adopted by the District of Central Saanich in 2010 was the source of inspiration for the WBM Express. The Bylaw provides the means to restore the water balance when properties redevelop.
