Green Stormwater Infrastructure

Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) helps manage our rainwater with two main benefits: it reduces the effects of flooding and creates cleaner waterways.

When rain falls in our region, it runs over roofs, streets and parking lots, picking up pollutants and debris along the way, including oil, metals and bacteria. This stormwater enters nearby storm drains that lead to local waterways and shorelines. 

The CRD provides resources to assist municipalities, developers and property owners in applying green stormwater management techniques.

Green stormwater infrastructure guidelines apply these three fundamental concepts:
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Raingarden icon, blue drop of water with tree inside
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Circle Green Icon with Salmon Inside

 

Capture and Slow the flow of stormwater by redirecting to designed areas for more gradual dispersion.



Clean and Infiltrate stormwater run-off before it reaches the natural receiving environment.

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Orange round icon with a graph or chart inside

 

Store and Convey stormwater to minimize peak flows and flooding through planned detention and distribution of water volumes.

Rain Gardens

Green Roofs

Living Walls

Permeable Paving

Erosion Prevention & Sediment Control

Bioswales

CRD Green Stormwater Infrastructure

In 2009 the CRD installed two types of green roofs (extensive and intensive) and a living wall on its head office building at 625 Fisgard St in downtown Victoria. The objective was to achieve better rainfall management, to evaluate thermal performance and provide an example of sustainable building features in the region. Project partners at BC Institute of Technology designed and installed systems to monitor the performance of the green roof and living wall and conducted two years of monitoring. Results showed rainfall retention of almost 40% and good thermal insulation provided by these green building features.

CRD Headquarters was one of the first buildings in the region to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification when the Phase 2 addition was completed in 2006. Some of the green infrastructure features include:

  • 60,000-litre cistern in the basement stores roof run-off used to flush toilets.
  • Low-flow plumbing fixtures including waterless urinals and dual-flush toilets.
  • Natural lighting and automatic light sensors in all work spaces.
  • Exterior sun shades and UV glazing on all windows.
  • Minimal irrigation on landscaping; native and/or drought-tolerant plants used.
  • Two types of green roofs and a living wall.

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Territorial Acknowledgement

The CRD conducts its business within the Territories of many First Nations, all of whom have a long-standing relationship with the land and waters from time immemorial that continues to this day. Statement of Reconciliation