Metro Vancouver elected representatives learn about the Water Balance Model and Inter-Regional Collaboration

Water Balance Model Partnership leverages Metro Vancouver grant

The Water Balance Model for British Columbia is a scenario comparison tool. It can help local governments create a future watershed vision by informing their decisions about the impacts, or not, of their ‘water footprint’ on watershed health. The majority of Metro Vancouver municipalities are Water Balance Model Partners.

In September 2011, Kim Stephens (Executive Director of the Partnership for Water Sustainability) met with Metro Vancouver's Waste Management Committee and presented the vision for rebuilding the Water Balance Model on a Linux platform. Five weeks later in October 2011, the Metro Vancouver Board amended its 2012 Budget to incorporate a line item for the Water Balance Model.

“Metro Vancouver 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, when he announced the grant.

In May 2012, Kim Stephens met with the successor Utilities Committee to describe how the Partnership has leveraged the $50,000 grant. He also introduced Metro Vancouver elected representatives to the benefits of an Inter-Regional Educational Initative for 'Rainwater Management in a Watershed Sustainability Context' that the Partnership has launched on Vancouver Island.

"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," stated Kim Stephens. "The web-based Water Balance Model is a unique, scenario comparison tool; and is the foundation block for the Inter-Regional Education Initiative."

"Collaboration among Vancouver Island local governments, Metro Vancouver and its member municipalities has grown steadily since 2007. Looking ahead, the Partnership's ultimate objective is to formalize Metro Vancouver and member participation in the inter-regional initiative."

"The Inter-Regional Education Initiative can help fulfil specific Metro Vancouver actions in the Integrated Liquid Waste and Resource Management Plan regarding performance standards, codes of practice, certification and guidelines for on-site rainwater management - that is, green infrastructure. Through collaboration, everyone can achieve more with the same resources," concluded Kim Stephens.

TO LEARN MORE:

To download the briefing document that provided the basis for a delegation request, click on May 2012 Report to Metro Vancouver Utilities Committee.

To download the presentation slides that provided the backdrop for the conversation with the committee, click here.

To read the article about the September 2011 presentation by Kim Stephens, click on Vision for ‘Water Balance Model Express’ introduced to Elected Representatives in Metro Vancouver Region