In cities and towns, rainwater that doesn’t absorb into the ground flows into storm drains which empty into local waterways. How we manage rainwater directly affects the health of our rivers and oceans. This project strives to manage rainwater in a way that protects the aquatic environment, and mitigate the impact of drought and flooding. By managing rainwater effectively, we can replenish soil moisture, and reduce the amount of runoff.   

The Integrated Rainwater Management Plan is a community-wide plan that will guide how we manage rainwater now and into the future. The plan will guide how we manage our underground infrastructure such as stormwater pipes and catch basins, as well as our natural assets such as wetlands and rivers.

Work on the Integrated Rainwater Management plan began in 2019 and will continue through 2022. Stakeholder consultation will occur in the spring and a draft plan will be presented to Council in Fall 2022.

What is an Integrated Rainwater Management Plan?

An Integrated Rainwater Management Plan takes a comprehensive look at the bylaws, policies, best management practices and infrastructure projects needed to provide adequate drainage, and mitigate the impact of stormwater on the watershed.

Current Consultation

We want the integrated rainwater management plan to be tailored to meet the community’s needs. The objective of this consultation is to provide an update on the work done to date, and gain a greater understanding of stakeholder priorities and values for rainwater management.

Building off engagement efforts in 2019, targeted consultation will occur in spring 2022. This consultation will include representatives from K’ómoks First Nation, local government, the development community, local environmental and stewardship groups, and local engineering and environmental consultants. A What We Heard Summary report will compile all input collected and will inform a draft Integrated Rainwater Management Plan that will be presented to Council in fall 2022.

Previous Consultation

The City of Courtenay started the consultation process for the Integrated Rainwater Management Plan through a workshop in June 2019 which gathered representatives from K’ómoks First Nation, local government, the development community, local environmental and stewardship groups, and local engineering and environmental consultants, to start the conversation about rainwater management. The discussion focused on highlighting issues and opportunities that could be addressed through the integrated rainwater management planning process, developing an understanding of what data and monitoring work related to rainwater management is already underway in the community, and identifying where more information is needed.

For more information:

Email irmp@courtenay.ca

Council Presentation:

• January 28, 2019 IRMP Presentation to Committee of the Whole [PDF - 2 MB]
  

Summary of the feedback received during the stakeholder workshop:

• June 4, 2019 Integrated Rainwater Management Plan Workshop Summary [PDF - 1 MB]