HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-18-010 - 5 Year SWM Report Card & Results of the 2017 SWM Monitoring ProgramREPORT TO: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: May 28, 2018
SUBMITTED BY: Hans Gross, P.Eng., Director of Engineering (519-741-2200 x 7410)
PREPARED BY: Samantha Brickman, C.E.T., Design & Construction Project Manager
(519-741-2200 x 7818)
Nick Gollan, C.E.T., Manager, Stormwater Utility (519-741-2200 x 7818)
WARD (S) INVOLVED: All
DATE OF REPORT: May 8, 2018
REPORT NO.: DSD-18-010
SUBJECT: 5-Year Stormwater Management Report Card & Results of 2017
Stormwater Management Monitoring Program
___________________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION:
That the 5-Year Stormwater Management Report Card and 2017 Stormwater
Management Monitoring Program Technical Memorandum be endorsed by council.
BACKGROUND:
In 2001, the City of Kitchener prepared the first Kitchener Stormwater Policy, which assessed
the existing Stormwater Management (SWM) infrastructure. As a component of the
infrastructure assessment, a monitoring program (Program) was established to track water
quality results and seek a correlation between capital improvements to infrastructure and water
quality. Since 2002, the results of the program have been published annually in a Technical
Memorandum. Additionally, in an effort to evaluate the long-term trends of the program, a Five-
year Report Card on the status of the policy effectiveness has been published since 2002.
In 2016, the City completed and implemented the Integrated Stormwater Management Master
Plan (ISWM-MP), replacing the 2001 Policy. As part of the Implementation Plan, a refocused
Program was established to ensure the goals and objectives of the ISWMMP are
accomplished over time. The refocused Program includes previous monitoring obligations with
the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), which were established during the
permitting process prior to the construction of Filsinger Creek.
The stormwater monitoring program has two (2) distinct phases:
Phase 1 Continuation of the refined SWM monitoring Program (20172018) to establish
baseline monitoring results (existing conditions) for previously established historical monitoring
autosamplers. Monitoring
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
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efforts are focused on previously identified core stations with the addition of Priority 1 and
Priority 4 subwatershed.
Priority 1 subwatershed have been included in Phase 1 monitoring efforts as these areas have
been prioritized for immediate implementation of the ISWMMP recommended approaches.
Priority 4 subwatershed have been included in Phase 1 monitoring efforts in the recognition
that the monitoring and data collection within these watersheds, which currently have the
highest health score, will be critical to maintaining the systems in their current state.
Phase 2 Updated Water Quality and Flow Monitoring (2019 ongoing) refined monitoring
locations and protocols to align with the implementation approach of prioritizing works based
on the watersheds in the most need and where there are opportunities to improve conditions
and also recognizes the need to protect existing watershed health. Phase 2 monitoring also
focuses on the collection of data within subwatershed that were determined to have insufficient
data during the subwatershed prioritization analysis and establishes longterm monitoring sites
for the collection of water quality data within Priority 1 subwatersheds.
Subwatershed based monitoring will be undertaken at regular intervals to confirm and/or
evaluate the effects of the recommended approaches and refine the Implementation Plan to
ensure projects and programs are delivering the greatest value-fordollar for the residents of
Kitchener. Following the completion of the Phase 2 monitoring in 2022, it is recommended that
watershed health is reassessed following the protocol outlined within the ISWMMP and that
monitoring priorities be reprioritized based on the implementation status of the recommended
approaches and revised watershed health scores.
Other Monitoring Obligations
In addition, the stormwater monitoring program is required to include previous monitoring
obligations including but not limited to,
As part of construction permitting processes such as the required monitoring of Filsinger
Creek, Balzer Creek and Idlewood Creek per the DFO requirements.
That pursuant to Region of Waterloo SPP Policy No. RMMC19, as per the
recommendations of the ISWMMP, the City work collaboratively with the Region of
Waterloo to assess (as required) the identified thirtythree (33) existing SWM facilities
within Source Protection Areas that are considered potential threats to drinking water
sources as a result of chlorides from road deicers applied during winter maintenance
operations. These facilities include:SWMF #: 13, 15, 24, 26, 33, 34, 39, 40, 47, 49, 50,
51, 61, 65, 66, 75, 88, 94, 95, 96, 97, 100, 108, 109, 115, 116, 121, 129, 133, 136, 138
& 157.
ECA compliance monitoring for stormwater management facilities.
Other permit compliance monitoring as directed by the GRCA, MNRF, DFO or MOECC,
to be identified on a casebycase basis.
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REPORT:
5-Year SWM Report Card
As mandated by the SWM Policy, the City undertook the development of the "2015 Five-Year
Stormwater Report Card", which reported on the years 2011 through to 2015. The report card
was presented to the public in two documents: a brochure and a technical report, available
e. The overall intention of the report card was to provide:
An indication of overall stream health;
Public access and awareness of stormwater management; and,
Identification of the potential for stormwater improvements.
Consistent with previous report card assessments, four parameters were used to evaluate the
SWM strategy. The parameters include the evaluation of physical,
chemical, biological, and overall Stormwater treatment. Each parameter was rated using an
fair/Parameters that
follow generally accepted standards, guidelines and methods that can be repeated at regular
intervals have been used.
Physical the physical
riparian cover (vegetation on the stream banks) and erosion. In an urban environment the
riparian cover provides several benefits to streams:
Helps stabilize stream banks and reduces soil erosion;
Filters out excess nutrients and reduces suspended solids in stormwater runoff;
Provides shading from the sun, helping to cool the water;
In-stream roots and overhanging canopy from trees provide fish habitat, as well as
cover for fish and other organisms; and,
Provides energy inputs by dropping organic debris into streams, such as dead leaves.
Table 1 below summarizes the level of vegetation cover (riparian cover) along each stream.
Table 1: Overall Ratings - Physical
Physical -Creeks OverallRating
SchneiderHenry Sturm Montgomery Strasburg Idlewood Kolb
Parameter
CreekGreenwayCreekCreekCreekCreek
Riparian MarginalMarginalPoorFairExcellentGood
Cover 2010
Riparian
MarginalMarginalMarginalFairFairFair
Cover2015
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These values suggest there are opportunities to improve riparian cover throughout the city,
specifically in Priority 1 subwatersheds during creek rehabilitation projects.
Chemical The quality of the water in our streams and rivers is important to the health of both
aquatic ecosystems, the taxpayers in the City of Kitchener and recipients of drinking water
downstream. Clean water supports a diverse biological community, recreational activities
within parks and green spaces, and contributes to overall human health within the City. Water
quality is measured using multiple samples from rotating sites, during both wet and dry periods
to determine the impact of stormwater. The stream water samples are measured for chloride,
bacteria, metals, suspended solids and nutrients. Water Quality results are compared to
benchmarks established by the Canadian Council of the Ministers of the Environment.
Table 2: Overall Ratings Chemical Parameter
Chemical -Creeks Overall Rating
Schneider Henry Sturm Montgomery Idlewood Kolb
ParameterStrasburg Creek
CreekGreenwayCreekCreekCreek
Station-HS1MG1SB2SB13IW1KD1
FairMarginalMarginal
Dry 2010FairMarginaln/aMarginal
Dry2015Marginaln/aPoorFairPoorFairPoor
Wet 2010PoorPoorPoorPoorPoorn/aPoor
Wet2015Poorn/aPoorMarginalPoorPoorPoor
The Water Quality Index since 2010 has decreased in Schneider Creek, Montgomery Creek,
and Kolb Creek during dry weather conditions. Water Quality for all creeks for Wet weather
conditions has remained the same.
Biological The type and diversity of aquatic life in our streams indicate the level of health in
the aquatic ecosystem within the City. The invertebrate and fish population also establish the
time-average health of a stream as they respond to changes in water quality, temperature and
the physical conditions in the streams. The biological results are compared between streams,
similar stream types and against historical data collected.
Table 3: Overall Ratings Biological Parameter
Biological -Creeks Overall Rating
Schneider Henry Sturm Montgomery Idlewood Kolb
ParameterStrasburg Creek
CreekGreenwayCreekCreekCreek
Station-HS1MG1SB2SB13IW1KD1
Value in
MarginalMarginalMarginalFairMarginalFairMarginal
2010
Valuein
FairMarginalMarginalMarginalMarginalMarginalFair
2015
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Kolb Creek and Schneider Creek were the only streams that saw improvement for the years
2010 to 2015. The conditions in Idlewood Creek have decreased since 2010.
Overall Stormwater treatment Although not a specific parameter, the type and form of
stormwater management facilities, including streams, channels and ponds is an important
parameter to consider when determining the overall health of the watershed.
The goal of stormwater management is to reduce the water quantity and quality impacts of
development on downstream watercourses for the protection of aquatic ecosystems, human
health and human property (minimizing flooding and erosion risks).
Stormwater management facilities such as ponds and oil-grit separators (OGS) are
constructed to provide water quality treatment and quantity control of water entering receiving
streams. The catchment area draining into City-owned SWM ponds was identified along with
the level of treatment provided (quality, quantity or both).
Table 4: Overall Ratings Stormwater Creeks
Stormwater -Creeks Overall Rating
Schneider Henry Sturm Montgomery Strasburg Idlewood Kolb
Parameter
CreekGreenwayCreekCreekCreekCreek
Treated
Area QualityPoorPoorPoorPoorPoorPoor
(2010)
Treated
Area QualityMarginalPoor PoorPoorPoorPoor
(2015)
Channel
GoodFairPoorExcellentExcellentGood
Type(2010)
Channel
GoodFairMarginalExcellentExcellentExcellent
Type(2015)
(approximately 75%) does not have its
stormwater runoff treated by stormwater management quality controls and this is evident by
the reduced water quality in many of its streams, especially during wet events.
Schneider Creek was the only stream to see improvements for treated area for quality.
Montgomery Creek and Kolb Creek have seen improvements within their channels.
2017 SWM Monitoring Program Technical Memorandum
In 2017, the City retained a consultant to complete comprehensive monitoring at six monitoring
stations, flow proportionate water quality monitoringat three stations, monitoring of two
municipal fisheries habitat bank sites, and, performance monitoring at the Huron Natural Area
Permeable Paver demonstration project. At the end of 2017, a technical memorandum was
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prepared to summarize the results of the monitoring program. The results were presented at
the Environmental Committee on March 15, 2018.
General seasonal trends remain consistent with previous monitoring years across all
monitoring locations. The general trend continues to show exceedances in the following
parameters for the majority of sites:
Chlorides: The highest concentrations of chlorides recorded were during the spring
sampling events, likely a result of the road salts applied during winter months as part of
road de-icing efforts.
Total Phosphorous: The highest concentrations of Total Phosphorous recorded were
during the summer months, potentially attributed to the application of fertilizers and
cleaners in urbanized areas during the summer months, which could enter the creek via
surface water runoff during precipitation events.
Total Suspended Solids (TSS): The highest concentration of TSS were encountered in
creeks with predominantly an urban subwatershed, which receive little to no stormwater
treatment resulting in a high to moderate risk for stream erosion.
Six infiltration tests were completed on the Huron Natural Area Permeable Paver to extract the
calculated infiltration rates, which aid to predict the required frequency of clean-out. The results
showed a 30% drop in the infiltration capacity of the permeable pavers. This degree of
reduction in the performance was not expected, however, could be attributed to the application
of a sand-salt de-icing mix used during the winter of 2017. Staff are still working to strike a
balance between the need for winter safety and the long term function of low impact
development techniques.Even with the reduction, theparking lot achieved a 100% rainfall
volume reduction during the monitoring season, meaning that zero runoff left the parking lot
during storm events. Additional years of monitoring will need to be completed to accurately
determine the clean-out frequency.
The 2017 technical memorandum also included recommendations for the completion of Phase
1 Continuation of the refined SWM monitoring (20172018) and Phase 2 Updated Water
Quality and Flow Monitoring.
Recommendations for 2018 focus on maintaining the current annual monitoring program
leading up to the 2019 program, to ensure that long-term data records are maintained, and to
fill in any remaining gaps in the current program.
Recommendations for 2019 & beyond consideration should be given:
to develop an effective strategy for procuring the additional automated water quality
samplers recommended in the ISWM-MP;
to establish permanent monitoring stations for the proposed long-term EMC stations
to develop a
program to ensure that monitoring, reporting, and data storage are implemented
consistently by successful bidding consultants; and,
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to develop a long-term, secure data storage solution
data.
The implementation of the 2018 is underway and follows the recommendations provided
above. Recommendations for the "2019 & beyond" program will be reviewed and included in
the next cycle of the monitoring program scheduled for consultant bidding at the end 2018.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Strategic Priority: Sustainable Environment and Infrastructure
Strategy: SE2 Stormwater Master Plan
Strategic Action: 4.2 Develop measures to manage stormwater and improve water quality in
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The SWM Monitoring Program funds approved by council were $100,000 for 2017. The funds
were used to implement the 2017 monitoring program.
* The reporting cycle for the 2017 SWM monitoring program is January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
th
On March 15, 2018, the 5-Year SWM Report Card general information and brochure, and, the
2017 SWM Monitoring Program results were presented to the Environmental Committee. The
relevant files can be found at the following link: https://www.kitchener.ca/en/city-
services/stormwater-management.aspx
INFORM This report has
council / committee meeting.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager of Development Services
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