EPA close to regulatory move on 6PPD tire chemical lethal to salmon
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says it plans to change the Toxic Substances Control Act to address the environmental risks of 6PPD-quinone, an...
Montreal plans 30 more ‘sponge’ parks over two years to manage rainfall
The City of Montreal plans to develop 30 “sponge” parks and 400 sidewalks over the next two years in an effort to withstand more...
Study reveals effectiveness of replicating beaver dams for flood mitigation
A new study reveals data from 105 manmade “leaky barriers” that mimic the logs-and-branches-style engineering of beaver dams. Researchers want to understand how effectively...
New study sheds light on varying stormwater measures across U.S. cities
A new study attempts to identify meaningful patterns among different stormwater control measures in 23 cities with varying climates across the U.S.
The study, produced...
Strategic approach delivers critical drainage improvements for Calgary’s Northwest Inner City
The Northwest Inner City area of Calgary has recently experienced unprecedented flooding, the most devastating of which was the Bow River flood in 2013. This significant event refocused the city’s priorities in this area on drainage improvements. In 2019, the City of Calgary initiated three community drainage improvement projects.
Ontario proposes streamlining permissions for stormwater management, water takings for construction
*The following regulatory news article is intended to be an overview of the report, legislation or proposal, and not a replacement for the actual...
Montreal plans to address high water use and leakage with new water strategy
City of Montreal officials say they may be at the top of the list when it comes to which city wastes the most water...
Creating wastewater system capacity to support housing: Private-side inflow and infiltration reduction success
There are many benefits of reducing significant inflow and infiltration (I&I), including obvious advantages over adding more conveyance and treatment capacity.
What are the pros and cons of arch chamber and modular tank systems?
Despite their differences, both arch chamber systems and modular tank systems play vital roles in effective stormwater management.
Thames Water CEO resigns after UK utility fined $5.6M for sewage pollution
The U.K.’s largest water and wastewater utility, Thames Water, has pleaded guilty and been fined £3.3 million (CAD$5.6 million) for mistakenly running a stormwater...
Students design experiential learning tool kits to educate about stormwater
By Ellen Campbell
The City of London is the 11th largest metropolitan area in Canada with a population of approximately 422,000. It is situated along...
UBC researchers say rain gardens captured 90% of toxic tire runoff
As research progresses on the best ways to handle the toxin 6PPD-quinone, which forms from rubber tire debris and flows into stormwater systems, researchers...
Canadians make strong showing as host of AWWA’s ACE23 in Toronto
Not only is one out of 10 American Water Works Association (AWWA) members from Canada, those members also made quite the splash at the...
USask partners with Saskatoon to capture, analyze waste entering river
A two-year pilot project in Saskatchewan is placing trash trap nets over the head frames of storm drain outfalls to capture and analyze waste...
Research projects blaze trails at Canadian colleges and universities
Canadian colleges and universities made headlines this spring with an array of innovative and meaningful research projects.
Monitoring runoff helps protect health of Great Barrier Reef
Sediment, nutrient and pesticide run-off from catchments is contributing to the pressures on marine ecosystems along the Queensland, Australia coast, including the Great Barrier Reef and Moreton Bay. Quantifying the amounts of these constituents in runoff (in both concentration and tonnage) is critical to the effective management of these risks.
Finding and fixing sewer inflow and infiltration problems
An important concept to understand about addressing I/I is that it is not just an engineering issue. To implement a long-term I/I program, the entire municipality needs to be involved. The work must be supported by the CAO and engineering, development, building, by-law, and planning departments need to participate.
Toronto’s new storm trunk sewer will reduce basement flooding during severe storms
In what is Toronto’s most ambitious basement flooding prevention project to date, city workers have started work on a large storm trunk sewer that...
CSA Group report calls for wider use of nature-based solutions for flooding, erosion
The CSA Group has released a new report designed to help governments shift from traditional grey or engineered infrastructure, such as walls and dikes,...
Hamilton tackles invasive species to keep stormwater flowing
Throughout its network of stormwater management facilities, Hamilton Water has targeted invasive species such as Phragmites, Japanese knotweed, poison ivy, wild parsnip, and…goldfish.
Toronto’s second rescue of storm sewer boring machine to cost $9M
The City of Toronto is spending $9 million to rescue a micro-tunneling boring machine that became ensnared by steel wires nine months ago while...
Small, isolated wetlands adept at catching pollutants, study finds
University of Waterloo researchers have determined that small, geographically-isolated wetlands make more efficient filters for nitrogen.
The new University of Waterloo study is one of...
CWWA survey to guide association on next steps for natural infrastructure
Although it remains in the early days of municipal adoption, the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA) says it believes natural infrastructure may provide...
Toronto AI mapping firm making waves in US stormwater assessments
The public works department in Jacksonville, Florida, is planning to use a Toronto-based artificial intelligence (AI) company focused on vector maps to more accurately...
SCG, infinitii ai, win one of the largest flow and rainfall projects in Peel...
Ontario-based SCG Flowmetrix, together with infinitii ai, have been awarded one of the largest multi-year sewer flow and rainfall monitoring projects in Canada for...
Permeable paving is one way to make cities more rain ready
There are opportunities for municipalities, engineers and builders to replace hard and impervious surfaces with highly permeable surfaces.
Precast concrete flood box saves BC town from floods
The District of Kent in Agassiz, British Columbia engaged Urban Systems to design the replacement of the Agassiz flood gate. Agassiz is a small-town northeast of Chilliwack and about a 90-minute drive from Vancouver. There were several issues with the existing culvert that made it less than ideal and a risk to the community.
Extreme rainfall could add $700M per year to maintain Ontario’s storm, wastewater assets
Without further adaptation to climate change, a new report warns that more extreme rainfall in Ontario could add $6.2 billion to the costs of...
New map provides engineers with a view of future flood risks
Flood experts Fathom are shedding new light on the impact of climate change-related flood risk, with the launch of Fathom-Global 3.0, which offers the first complete global view of all flood perils. The map enables users to quantify and mitigate flood risk, and understand changes in risk under future climate scenarios.
Greater Cincinnati completes major CSO improvement project
A new study by researchers from the University of Alberta identified that thermal hydrolysis of sludge before anaerobic digestion could alleviate oxidative stress on the digester microbiome and maintain smooth operation under high levels of polystyrene nanoplastics in sludge. The study also found that thermal hydrolysis could also mitigate the spreading potential of antibiotic resistance genes in digested sludge, or biosolids, which can be encouraged by the high levels of polystyrene nanoplastics.
Hamilton tackles major sanitary-stormwater cross connection problem
After discovering E.Coli in watercourses, Hamilton identified residential cross-connected sewer laterals, as a source of untreated sewage flows.
Challenges, opportunities for beneficial reuse of stormwater management pond sediment
The routine removal of accumulated sediments from stormwater management ponds is expensive, but necessary for maintaining flood control and water quality.
Quebec wants private sanitary sewer systems designed with climate resilience
Quebec has launched a review of its draft design standard for new sanitary sewer systems to be built with greater resistance to extreme weather...
CSA Group develops how-to guide for municipalities to integrate water standards
Standards development organization CSA Group has published a municipal how-to guide for local officials to maintain high community water standards in the face of...
USask team looks for ways to remove toxic tire compound from water
Following the University of Saskatchewan’s successful research into rubber tire particles impacting rainbow and brook trout through urban stormwater, researchers are now getting an...
World’s leading climate scientists call for fundamental improvements to flood model data usefulness
Nine renowned scientists from global institutions are seeking to highlight how existing models for climate change massively over-simplify precipitation, with models failing to account for fundamental physics. These failings were shown yet again in the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change assessment report, with findings subject to major uncertainties in rainfall at both the local and regional scale.
Connected approach helps City of Calgary improve natural asset management
The City of Calgary has been focusing on process to improve the management of their natural assets, developing a more holistic view of the services that use and impact them, with the goal to build a more resilient city and create an environment that is more resistant to the effects of climate change.
Extreme heat in Canada should be fought with grey, green infrastructure, says UWaterloo report
A new report from the University of Waterloo is recommending a combination of grey and green infrastructure to combat the increasing frequency of extreme...
BC project employs machine learning predictive analytics to manage water resources
Collecting regional data and using machine learning to provide a real-time view is fundamental in helping water authorities forecast and predict.
Vancouver hires firms to design new infrastructure plan for sewer, rainwater
Engineering consultant company Brown and Caldwell has been engaged to develop a sewage and rainwater management plan for the City of Vancouver.
The two-part plan,...
McGill researchers call for action on urban runoff impacts
New research from McGill University suggests that urban runoff’s toxicity for aquatic organisms may be underestimated and unmonitored, as detergents, pesticides, heavy metals, and...
Harvesting solution for Purolator facility captures rainwater for grey water use
Purolator chose Greyter Water Systems’ water management solution to help manage water efficiently at its new courier and shipping centre in Etobicoke, Ontario. Their rainwater harvesting solution captures rainwater from the roof and treats it to supply 32 toilets and 16 urinals for up to 1,000 employees daily.
Quebec funded for eight green, wastewater, sustainability upgrades
The federal government is investing $12.6 million through the Green Municipal Fund to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and waste while improving the quality...
Imbrium Systems Jellyfish Filter receives New ISO 14034 ETV verification
Imbrium Systems announced the receipt of a new ISO 14034 ETV Verification for its Jellyfish® Filter stormwater treatment technology today.
According to Imbrium, this latest...
Barrie moves to charge stormwater user fees based on size of impervious surface areas
The Ontario City of Barrie has approved a Stormwater Climate Action Fund to improve its resiliency against climate change, mitigate flooding, protect Lake Simcoe,...
UWaterloo study says turn nitrogen pollution into an advantage
A new University of Waterloo study could act as a roadmap for scientists, policymakers, and the public to begin to overcome the lasting impacts...
Predictive stormwater models help protect Lethbridge’s infrastructure
By Adam McDonald
Edmonton’s stormwater infrastructure consists of approximately 465 kilometres of stormwater pipe, 6,000 stormwater manholes, and many stormwater management facilities. To better understand...
Nunavik First Nation Community combats drainage challenges
By Yves Durand, Andreanne Dumont and Isabelle Beaulac
Beginning in 2016 and working with the help of the CIMA+ engineering team, the Cree Nation Government...
Using ozone to treat accumulated building foundation stormwater drainage
On January 1, 2022, the City of Toronto implemented a new foundation drainage policy that has far-reaching implications for development in the city. As building engineers develop water treatment plans to comply with this new policy, there are a number of factors to consider in determining the best solution. The design of a site-specific treatment train incorporating the use of ozone, has resulted in a significant return on investment for many building owners.
Latest technology incorporated into award‑winning Toronto stormwater management facility
An award-winning design marks an auspicious start to any project. But, when the architecture is daring and the structure must house an innovative stormwater system in a never-before-executed configuration, complete with a seven-year delay between design and construction, then clearly there will be some challenges.
Ontario launches storm, wastewater consultation with new $25M boost for reporting, infrastructure
Ontario is investing $15 million to help 18 municipalities optimize stormwater and wastewater infrastructure, plus another $10 million to upgrade sewage monitoring and public...
UWaterloo study says wetlands provide water filtration services worth billions
A new study from the University of Waterloo uses economic valuation to illustrate the importance of water filtration in Southern Ontario’s wetlands, estimating that...
Researchers call for unified definition of vague ‘green infrastructure’
As North American city planners increasingly adopt “green infrastructure,” some researchers say it’s time to narrow the scope of its chameleon-like definition, so that...
New USask studies examine chemical impact on fish from stormwater runoff
Virtually no fish toxicity information exists in Canada on the effects of chemical compounds spread through stormwater runoff from rubber tires and antimicrobials used...
Microtunnelling used for twin culvert replacement project
The purpose of the project was to replace and decommission an existing cast-in-place reinforced concrete, single cell box culvert that was situated up to 8 metres below the grade of the roadway. Furthermore, it was required that the project be completed without causing significant disruptions to the traffic along the roadway.
USask study finds rubber tire chemicals impacting river through urban runoff
Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan’s School of Environment and Sustainability say they’ve undertaken the first study of its kind in Canada to determine...
The detrimental effects of combined sewer overflows and COVID-19
Researchers have found that even low levels of RNA from COVID-19, and other coronaviruses, can be detected in raw sewage before full-fledged outbreaks occur, thus allowing governments and health authorities more time to respond to protect public health and safety.
Home Flood Protection Program empowering homeowners to take action
As intense rainfall events continue to increase across Canada, more homeowners should be vigilant about reducing the risk of basement flooding, say University of...
Winnipeg secures funding for first phase of North End sewage treatment plant overhaul
The North End Sewage Treatment Plant — the City of Winnipeg's oldest and largest — has secured some $213 million for the first of...
Using rainwater harvesting and stormwater retention to revolutionize residential water management
Collected rainwater from the roofs of homes is stored and filtered before pumping throughout the house for flushing toilets and other outdoor uses.
Niagara Region works to control unnecessary inflow and infiltration
Inflow and infiltration (I/I) enters wastewater systems through cracked and broken sewer pipes and improperly connected roof and foundation drains.
New stormwater lift stations provide Calgarians with greater flood resiliency
To provide greater flood protection to Calgary's Sunnyside community in the wake of the devastating 2013 floods, the city planned to upgrade the existing...
Alberta’s flood-mitigating reservoir moves closer to approval
Alberta’s $423-million Springbank off-stream reservoir flood mitigation project has been approved by the federal Minister of the Environment, following a greenlight as the first...
New Natural Infrastructure Fund will offer cities $20M for green projects
A new $200-million Natural Infrastructure Fund is set to invest in large-scale projects that use natural or hybrid approaches to protect the environment.
As part...
Constructing a new child care facility directly above its stormwater system
The belowground stormwater system was installed in the early stages of construction. A solution was required to protect it from ground pressure exerted by cranes.
Dealing with the challenges of cleaning municipal sewer and stormwater lines
Operators cleaning municipal sewer and stormwater lines face a host of challenges. These include having to clean kilometres of line in the most efficient...
New tool allows municipalities to apply modelling to stormwater mitigation options
A new online screening tool allows municipalities to make planning decisions for green and grey stormwater infrastructure management scenarios through a life cycle cost...
Pipeline design provides stormwater runoff control for West Vancouver neighbourhood
When completed, the project will increase the level of flood protection for homes below the Upper Levels Highway. Rerouting the excess stormwater will also reduce erosion, help to safeguard residents and property while accomplishing its original goal of protecting the watershed health of the Five Creeks drainage areas.
Stormwater funding gap increasingly in the spotlight
Jurisdictions across Canada are experiencing longer and more intense precipitation events as a result of climate change. This has highlighted capacity issues in stormwater infrastructure that go above and beyond the need to rehabilitate existing assets. Stormwater, or urban runoff, has become one of the most significant pollution threats in the eyes of some environmental experts.
Saint John upgrades combined sewer system that has elements from 1872
Upgrades worth $38.7 million will soon be in the works for part of the combined sewer system in uptown Saint John, where the New...
US survey suggests $8.5B funding gap for stormwater infrastructure
A second national-scale inquiry into resources and requirements of stormwater management organizations has revealed an annual funding gap of $8.5 billion, according to a...
Hamilton officials say approvals will make creek cleanup timeline challenging
City of Hamilton officials say it could take nearly a year beyond Ontario’s fall deadline before it’s able to complete the dredging of a...
Ottawa eyes incentives program to manage residential stormwater runoff
To fight stormwater runoff that can cause erosion and flooding in waterways while degrading water quality and aquatic habitats, the City of Ottawa is...
Restoring a natural waterbed for a green mixed-use community in Mississauga
A key component of Mississauga’s natural landscape will be returned to its native state through a unique, extensive restoration project that will help revitalize its greenspace. Serson Creek will be restored and returned to its traditional home and be reconnected with Lake Ontario.
Funding secured for upgrades at two Ontario water facilities
Two small Ontario communities are now set with funding for critical water facility upgrades, the province has announced.
Full funding is now available to replace...
Scientists link tire preservative in stormwater to massive salmon die-offs
After years of research, environmental scientists believe they have identified a link between urban stormwater runoff and substantial annual die-offs of coho salmon after...
Increasing U.S. wetlands by 10% would double nitrogen removal, study finds
New computer modeling analysis suggests that prioritizing wetland restoration close to heavily farmed areas may remove up to 40 times more nitrogen than the...
Ontario orders further action on Hamilton’s ‘Sewergate’
In the wake of four years of sewage leaking undetected into a City of Hamilton creek, Ontario has ordered the city to undertake targeted...
U.K. study touts flooding protection benefits of tree planting
New research from the U.K. suggests that trees, forests and woodlands are a staple of green infrastructure that can enhance soil’s ability to absorb...
York Region to build new facility to protect Lake Simcoe from phosphorus
Two new major investments through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund in Ontario’s York Region will focus on protection of the water supply, treatment,...
Alberta town secures funding for next phase of major stormwater project
The Alberta Town of Coaldale has received new funding towards the next stage of the Malloy Drain implementation project, aimed at combating overland flooding...
Resident fights Alberta’s approval of stormwater draining into sensitive lake system
An environmental law action group has joined an Alberta woman’s challenge of the province’s decision to greenlight stormwater draining into the ecologically diverse Lacombe...
Two-year study grades Canada ‘C’ for flood preparedness
Canada’s provinces and territories have received a flood preparedness grade of “C”, following a two-year national study led by the University of Waterloo.
The university’s...
Stormwater system installed at B.C. First Nations new mega mall
To control stormwater runoff from two new mega malls in Tsawwassen, British Columbia, a large diameter pipeline was designed and installed under the public roads surrounding the sites.
Contech StormFilter Achieves ISO 14034 Environmental Technology Verification
Contech® Engineered Solutions announced that the Stormwater Management StormFilter® has been verified in accordance with ISO 14034 Environmental Management - Environmental Technology Verification (ETV)....
New funding means even better news for Ontario’s resurgent Lake Simcoe
Following the release of a new 10-year positive milestone report on the health of Lake Simcoe, Ontario’s government is investing $581,000 in four new...
Urban stormwater runoff can add significantly to phosphorus, heavy metals and other pollutant loadings
In the Lake Simcoe watershed in Ontario, over 30% of phosphorus loadings to the lake are now identified as coming from urban stormwater sources. Less than 3% of total loadings are coming from water pollution control plants.
Unlocking data from water, wastewater and stormwater systems
Using data from hydrological systems, organizations can properly account for and appropriately allocate water resources while minimizing impacts on the environment.
New Raven hydrologic modelling software released
A decade in the making, version 3 of Raven, an open-source hydrologic modelling platform used by a number of flood and reservoir forecasting agencies...
Alberta county invites local kids to adopt and care for storm drains
Residential neighbourhoods can be prone to clogged storm drains from leaves, gravel, litter and yard clippings, so one Alberta county of about 100,000 residents...
Hamilton report suggests ‘no action’ in wake of CSO creek discharge
Following a provincial order to determine the environmental impact of a four-and-a-half-year long accidental discharge of stormwater runoff and sanitary sewage into Chedoke Creek...
Manitoba announces wastewater and flood protection investments
Manitoba will provide more than $61 million to support the upgrade of the City of Portage la Prairie’s Water Pollution Control Facility, Premier Brian...
Report looks to create clear standard for reducing excess I/I for new sewers
A recent report compiles methods that can be applied when sewers are first constructed to limit the risk of leakage, highlighting the need for resilient infrastructure in an age of climate change where extreme rainfall has risen sharply.
Finding the right stormwater management system for a mixed-use development in North Vancouver
Stormwater management system project for a large multi-family mixed-use development in North Vancouver's Lynn Valley area finds a durable solution that not only protects the development against flooding, but would also work with the site’s unique, tight and hilly profile.
Medicine Hat chooses reinforced concrete pipe for new stormwater trunk main
Medicine Hat, Alberta, required a new stormwater trunk main to meet the demands of commercial and industrial growth in the city.
New sensors, data transmission technology improves sewer system management
Historically, sanitary and stormwater systems have been passive, leaving little opportunity to understand their real-time condition and maximize their utility. The availability of systems like those offered by SmartCover is changing that.
Continuous inflow and infiltration analysis for sewerage systems
As hundred-, even thousand-year storm events increase in frequency, a holistic understanding of wastewater and stormwater systems and their capacities is needed to proactively protect property and assets.
Stormwater management funding announced for Western Irrigation District
Support for flooding and stormwater management in the Calgary area was announced by Infrastructure Canada for Stage 1 of the Western Irrigation District's Cooperative...
Improvements in stormwater management spurred by Low Impact Development techniques
Low Impact Development for dealing with stormwater is a concept first advanced in 1990 and can now be seen across North America. Green roofs, bioswales, rain gardens and permeable surfaces are all examples of Low Impact Development (LID).
Evolution of stormwater management technologies for urban applications
The efficiency of water management systems is at the forefront of every new development and many retrofit developments, as the increased stormwater volumes need to be managed in an efficient manner.
Latest Articles
OCWA expands management of water, wastewater in Renfrew
The Ontario Town of Renfrew, near Ottawa, has signed a new 10-year contract with the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) to expand the services...
