What is Stormwater?
In the capital region stormwater is mostly rainwater and sometimes melted snow. In the natural environment this water absorbs into the ground and becomes part of the hydrological cycle. When it can’t absorb into the ground it runs off properties including roofs and driveways, streets and sidewalks and down storm drains. Once it enters the storm drain it is considered stormwater and is passed through a network of pipes that carry it into creeks, streams and the ocean.
Challenges with Stormwater
When rainwater runs over hard surfaces it picks up pollution and debris along the way that are harmful to our streams and shorelines. We are also facing increased volumes of rainfall and more intense storms due to our changing climate. This results in flooding in our communities when the storm system becomes overwhelmed. It also impacts streams and shorelines by dumping large volumes of water very quickly into sensitive habitat. Today municipalities are managing stormwater in a more environmentally friendly way by using green infrastructure to slow, clean and store rainwater. Property owners can do this as well by managing their rainwater.
CRD Role in Stormwater
The CRD provides coordination and assistance to municipalities with stormwater related environmental protection initiatives as well as public education and engagement to prevent stormwater pollution and help property owners and developers manage rainwater in an environmentally sustainable way that helps the region adapt to our changing climate.
The CRD monitors stormwater quality by sampling stormwater in storm drains and at discharge points into our creeks and shorelines for potential contaminants. The aim of the monitoring is to identify sources of contamination and assess potential impacts to the public and environment. The data is summarized in annual reports and used by our municipal partners, other jurisdictions and the community for pollution prevention, clean-up, infrastructure upgrades and restoration activities.
On the Saanich Peninsula the CRD provides a regulatory service on behalf of Central Saanich, North Saanich and Sidney called the Saanich Peninsula Stormwater Bylaw No. 4168. The goal of this service is to prevent certain types of wastes from entering the stormwater system to protect municipal infrastructure, public health, local waterways and the marine shoreline environment.
