Water-Centric Planning

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Robert Hicks

    LIVING WATER SMART IN BRITISH COLUMBIA: “In 1999, the majority of streams in Metro Vancouver were in the FAIR and POOR categories. When we illustrated this finding on a map, Board members agreed that things had to change. The takeaway message was things will get worse if we do not change our ways,” stated Robert Hicks, career engineer-planner in local government


    When the Metro Vancouver region’s first Liquid Waste Management Plan was adopted in 2001, it established a precedent with a “streams and trees” component. “This was the work of the interagency Stormwater Management Technical Advisory Task Group. It was clear to the Task Group that engineering solutions alone would not result in good stormwater management and environmental protection, nor address regulatory infraction risk. Because the status quo was not working, the municipalities were feeling the pressure to change course,” stated Robert Hicks.

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    LIVING WATER SMART IN BRITISH COLUMBIA: Robert Hicks is skilled at providing historical context and perspective for “the big picture” of today


    Robert Hicks co-created the “streams and trees component” Integrated Liquid Waste and Resource Management Plan for Metro Vancouver. “There was a time when the value of managing drainage on a watershed basis within a broad framework of land management and ecosystem planning was not yet apparent. Research on stream health changed all this,” stated Robert Hicks. “In recent years, I have been advocating about the connection between rainwater management and groundwater. It is a slow process. You just have to say it enough times: groundwater and infiltration!”

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    LIVING WATER SMART IN BRITISH COLUMBIA: “When a new generation of advisors lacks the deep background and experience to comprehend what numbers really mean, how can we expect elected representatives to make informed decisions?” stated Kim Stephens, Executive Director with the Partnership for Water Sustainability in BC


    “As I reflect on the planning and operational implications of these interconnected issues, I am reminded of what the late Dr. Wesley Eckenfelder, a legendary professor from Vanderbilt University, told my engineering class when he was a guest lecturer for a week-long course at UBC,” stated Kim Stephens. “He said what are the numbers telling you? Understand the context. What are the assumptions? Look for the pattern. Ask the right questions! Wesley Eckenfelder’s words of wisdom have influenced my career as a professional engineer involved in policy and planning.”

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    LIVING WATER SMART IN BRITISH COLUMBIA: “For asset management, the consideration is how and when assets might be compromised in their lifecycle by climate change,” stated Robert Hicks, Senior Policy and Process Engineer City of Vancouver (November 2021)


    “If we look at the variability in climate change impact scenarios that may occur within many asset lifecycles, we may get distracted by the uncertainty and statistical variance of the magnitude among the anticipated changes for key parameters that inform levels-of-service. Climate change impacts are risks which can be addressed by aligning asset lifecycles to performance or change thresholds which consider how levels-of-service are likely to deteriorate in response to climate changes impacts. Lifecycles must therefore be considered and re-aligned with the new changing ‘normal’ conditions,” stated Robert Hicks

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