Regional District of Nanaimo hosts Water Balance Model Workshop on “Integrating the Site with the Watershed and Stream”

Mimic the Water Balance!

On June 12 in Nanaimo, at a workshop hosted by the Regional District of Nanaimo, the District of North Vancouver’s Richard Boase will be sharing the case study demonstration applications that underpin development of the Drainage Infrastructure Screening Tool and the Water Balance Model Express for Landowners. "The screening tool will be unveiled at the Nanaimo workshop; and the Express will be rolled out later in 2012," states Richard Boase.

Inter-Regional Education Initiative

Vancouver Island is a hot-bed of watershed-based strategies and programs. Now, four regional districts and municipal members are aligning their efforts to advance the Vancouver Island Inter-Regional Education Initiative. The program will help everyone go farther, more efficiently and effectively.

“The desired outcome in bringing together the four regions is that there will be a common understanding of core concepts for ‘designing with nature’; and those involved in land use and/or water use will utilize those core concepts to reduce their water footprints, protect stream health and adapt to a changing climate,” reports John Finnie, General Manager for Regional and Community Utilities at the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN). He is the Past Chair of CAVI-Convening for Action on Vancouver Island.

“The technical foundation for this ‘mission possible’ is provided by the web-based Water Balance Model. This unique scenario comparison and decision support tool can help communities create a vision for a desired future watershed condition. The performance target methodology embedded in the model integrates the Site with the Watershed and the Stream.”

“The RDN and the municipalities of Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum Beach and Lantzville are now fully committed to implementation of the region’s Drinking Water and Watershed Protection Plan. Recognition of the relationship between land development practices and watershed health is a foundation piece for this provincially significant initiative. Use of the Water Balance Model would help everyone be consistent in implementing green infrastructure practices that are effective in mimicking the natural water balance,” concludes John Finnie.

TO LEARN MORE:  Also, for an AGENDA PREVIEW, click on Sustainable Rainwater Management: Regional District of Nanaimo hosts second in 2012-2013 series of “Water Balance Model Training Workshops”.