Ontario Supports Rural Stormwater Management Project

Healthy Lake Huron’s goal of Clean Water, Clean Beaches got a boost late last year when the Ontario Ministry of the Environment awarded the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) $700,000 in funding through the Showcasing Water Innovation program.

This program funds leading-edge, innovative and cost-effective solutions for managing drinking water, wastewater and stormwater systems in Ontario communities.

The two-year project will improve knowledge about agricultural and rural drainage by developing a rural stormwater management model and implementing it in Healthy Lake Huron’s five priority watersheds, along with installing new monitoring stations.

The project will provide new and detailed data on rural stormwater during spring-time and heavy rainfall events. This information will be used to guide new stewardship projects aimed at effectively managing run-off and reducing soil and stream erosion. This will help landowners and agencies ensure that stewardship dollars are spent on projects that have the greatest benefit to the environment.

ABCA is leading the project, working closely with the Maitland Valley, St. Clair Region, Saugeen Valley, and Grey-Sauble conservation authorities and others involved in the Healthy Lake Huron initiative. Partners will also provide additional funding support and in-kind contributions. The support and participation of farmers and other landowners are also important parts of this project.

For more on Ontario’s Showcasing Water Innovation program, visit www.ene.gov.on.ca/environment/en/funding/showcasing_water_innovation.