Finding low impact development solutions in Edmonton – Stormwater Solutions

Finding low impact development solutions in Edmonton  Stormwater Solutions

Finding low impact development solutions in Edmonton – Stormwater Solutions

Extreme Rainfall Events and the Need for Action

Extreme rainfall events are becoming more frequent due to climate change. These recurring events can overwhelm existing drainage systems, flood critical infrastructure and homes, release pollutants to waterways, erode those waterways, and lead to serious financial implications and even death. In 2013, southern and central Alberta experienced heavy rainfall that led to the worst flooding in the province’s history, including one death and an estimated $6 billion CDN in losses.

Several other floods have occurred in Alberta in the last decade. This indicates a need for action.

EPCOR’s Efforts in Edmonton

Let’s focus on some of the efforts taking place in Edmonton. EPCOR, the North American utilities provider, assumed ownership of Edmonton’s drainage utility in September 2017. Since then, EPCOR has developed several programs to protect the North Saskatchewan River quality and reduce the risk of flooding throughout the city. The North Saskatchewan River, which winds northeast through Edmonton, provides residents in the city and nearby communities with drinking water.

Since 2019, the utilities provider has also been pursuing its Stormwater Integrated Resource Plan (SIRP).

A Look at the Stormwater Integrated Resource Plan

EPCOR’s SIRP process identifies stormwater-related risks according to four perspectives: Health and Safety, Environment, Social, and Financial. EPCOR has linked these risk consequences to approximately 1,300 stormwater sub-basins based on public surveys, engineering studies, stormwater and climate models, and historical flood and maintenance records. Through this assessment, EPCOR created a risk ranking for each of the sub-basins in Edmonton. That means the utility can now more efficiently target how to fund upgrades for flood mitigation.

The SIRP program will invest $1.6 billion CDN over 20 years in five key investment themes:

  1. Slow: Invests in drainage improvements, such as dry ponds and low impact development (LID), which is an approach to managing stormwater runoff that uses or mimics natural processes and slows the entry of stormwater into the drainage network by absorbing it and holding it in ponds.
  2. Move:
  3. Secure:
  4. Predict:
  5. Respond:

By storing rainfall and snow melt, the risk of flooding is reduced, combined sewer capacity is increased, and stormwater quality is improved before it reaches the North Saskatchewan River.

Prior to EPCOR’s five-themed SIRP strategy, the City of Edmonton’s grey infrastructure master plan was going to require $3.2 billion over 50 years for sewer separation and large trunk sewer systems. By leaning toward a greener approach, EPCOR aims to save money while still addressing the stormwater risks associated with climate change. One of the key aspects of the SIRP strategy involves slowing the entry of stormwater into the drainage system using LID.

EPCOR’s Procurement Approach

Prior to 2019, LID design and construction was not widely used in Alberta. Not many people knew of the concept. In 2021, EPCOR began working with three prequalified engineering consultants, after initiating a Master Service Agreement (MSA), to complete the design and construction management services for LID.

Stantec is headquartered in Edmonton and was one of the successful consultants and has since helped EPCOR implement several LID facilities throughout Edmonton in different locations including residential, parkland, and commercial land, as well as on public and private property.

EPCOR also has an in-house team of LID designers who propose concept-level LID projects that are then circulated through the consultants under the MSA to validate the concepts and complete detailed design. EPCOR has also developed standardized design spreadsheets, templates, checklists, and design guides to ensure consistency and efficiency throughout their LID program.

In 2022, EPCOR initiated another MSA, but now for prequalification of contractors to build the LID facilities. This similarly improved procurement efficiency and streamlined construction. This allowed EPCOR to undertake numerous LID projects in an efficient way throughout the year to meet ambitious targets.

In Edmonton, typically LID is proposed throughout the city following two principles: Prioritization and Opportunistic implementation:

  • Prioritization refers to EPCOR’s SIRP risk ranking, which identifies the most at-risk sub-basins for possible LID implementation. In the medium and/or high-risk sub-basins, which are typically in the remaining combined sewer areas in the city, EPCOR identifies public property, open green space, or potential industrial/commercial partners where LID could be feasible.
  • Opportunistic implementation in Edmonton involves installing LID whenever other construction is occurring in the area (e.g., sewer separation and dry ponds, neighborhood renewal, or outfall rehabilitation).

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Targets Indicators
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials Indicator not mentioned
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities Target 11.5: Reduce the impact of disasters, including floods, on urban areas Indicator not mentioned
SDG 13: Climate Action Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters Indicator not mentioned
SDG 15: Life on Land Target 15.3: Combat desertification, restore degraded land, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world Indicator not mentioned

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 13: Climate Action, and SDG 15: Life on Land.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are:
– Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing the release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
– Target 11.5: Reduce the impact of disasters, including floods, on urban areas.
– Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
– Target 15.3: Combat desertification, restore degraded land, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not mention or imply any specific indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.

Source: stormwater.com