Protecting Our Water
Water is essential to life. The Sewer Utility has a big role to play in protecting the waters that surround Vancouver from pollution. Collecting and conveying sewage and rainwater runoff protects our health and property. Doing this in a way that harmonizes with nature’s cycles requires innovation and collaboration.
The following are areas in which Vancouver’s Sewer utility plays a key role:
Streams
As Vancouver has developed and grown many of Vancouver’s streams have been buried in pipes, filled in, or diverted. Once a place with a vast network of natural streams and creeks, only handful of open streams remain today.
The City and many residents have been working to 'daylight streams', bringing the stream to an above ground channel again or, in some cases, establish new streams as a reminder of Vancouver's natural history. Some opportunities for stream daylighting have emerged from the sewer separation program. As the City's aging storm sewer infrastructure is replaced, the possibility of constructing open water channels for stormwater runoff is examined. Still Creek, located in the east side of Vancouver, is one such example. For more details, see the Still Creek Enhancement website.
Recognizing that we live in a dense urban environment, daylighted streams will not function as they originally had before development but there are still other benefits to be gained. Daylighting streams provides an educational tool for stream and environmental stewardship, a symbol of our natural history, an aesthetic community amenity and enhancement to our natural environment.
Ocean and River Stewardship
The water that surrounds Vancouver is one of our greatest assets. The City of Vancouver takes its role as steward of these waters very seriously and works with Metro Vancouver and a number of inter-governmental agencies to ensure that these waters are protected.
Burrard Inlet Environment Action Program
The City of Vancouver works with this inter-governmental group to ensure environmental management of Burrard Inlet. For further details, please visit the Burrard Inlet Environmental Action Program website.
Fraser River Estuary Management Program
The City of Vancouver works with FREMP an inter-agency partnership that provides "a framework to protect and improve environmental quality, to provide economic development opportunities and to sustain the quality of life in and around the Fraser River Estuary". For further details, please visit the Fraser River Estuary Management Program.
Integrated drainage
Managing rain water using fewer or no pipes adds value to neighbourhoods. Allowing rainwater runoff to seep into the ground helps reduce and slow the flow of water that would have otherwise quickly passed through the sewers and possibly into adjacent creeks. Reducing the rush of water and sediment from entering steams helps to support fish habitat by more closely mimicking natural processes.
Cleaner creeks, healthier water tables, and a more natural aesthetic make neighbourhoods more enjoyable places. Reduced water in the sewer systems reduces maintenance requirements and costs!
Street: Crown St
Canada’s first environmentally friendly street integrates rain water management with street design, traffic calming, pedestrian safety, and stream restoration. For further details, please visit the environmentally sustainable options page in street design.
Lanes: Country Lanes
These innovative lane designs manage rain water in a more environmentally friendly way and add aesthetic value to neighbourhoods. For further details, please visit the environmentally sustainable options page in street design.
Rain Gardens
Rain Gardens allow rainwater from the street to be channeled into the planted areas behind curbs. Here the water is able to gradually infiltrate into the ground. Only when a storm is too severe and the ground can no longer absorb it will the excess water drain into the sewer.
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