Beaver Management within Stormwater Management Features
Prepared By: Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) Introduction The beaver is the largest rodent in North America, with the average adult weighing from 16 to 32 kg and measuring up to 1.3 m long. A beaver’s life is inextricably connected to cutting trees—for sustenance and for habitation. In nature, beaver activity plays an important ecological […]
SWM Pond FAQ
What are your thoughts on life rings and life safety stations at these ponds? Answer Some municipalities adopt a standard policy. My opinion is it’s a judgment call per site and that if you see you have permanent pool, you see steep embankments for whatever reason, there you can make the call that there’s a […]
Case Study: Evaluating the performance of different winter maintenance products on permeable and conventional asphalt.
Background Credit Valley Conservation’s (CVC) head office is part of the Meadowvale Conservation Area, adjacent to the Credit River (Figure 1). During winter, salt is applied to the entrance driveway, parking lots, and sidewalks to keep staff and visitors safe and minimize slip and fall incidents. However, chloride (the main ingredient of winter salt) contaminates […]
Case Study 8: Cold-Climate Hybrid Air-Source Heat Pump
Published Online January 2024 Executive Summary Erik Janssen, a Research Scientist with the Sustainable Technologies Evaluation Program, shares his year-long experience with an air-source heat pump (ASHP) for space heating and cooling, alongside a heat pump water heater (HPWH) for domestic hot water, in his 3-bedroom townhome. Living in Mississauga with a family of four, […]
Aggregation Methodology for Communal Stormwater Management Retrofits on Private Property
Prepared By: Credit Valley Conservation (CVC), Scheckenberger and Associates Ltd., and WSP E&I Canada Ltd. January 2024 Executive Summary Implementation of traditional end of pipe stormwater management systems, while effective and practical in newer greenfield developments, tends to be more complex in the existing urbanized areas which constitute the majority of development in municipalities. Stormwater […]
Drainage Act Report: Southdown Drain
Prepared By: Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) and K. Smart Associates Ltd. December 2023 Executive Summary This report provides an example application of the Drainage Act, R.S.O. 1990 (Drainage Act) for creation of a communal stormwater system using low impact development components retrofitted on private properties in an existing 37.4 hectare industrial/commercial catchment in Mississauga’s Southdown […]
London Residential Smart Hybrid Heating Pilot: System Performance Analysis
Prepared By: The Sustainable Technologies Evaluation Program (STEP) of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) December 2023 Contact Information: step@trca.ca Executive Summary This report provides performance analysis results from eight homes participating in the smart hybrid heating pilot conducted in London, ON, by Enbridge Gas Inc. and London Hydro. The full pilot consisted of […]
Home Heat Pump Case Study 7: Air-Source Heat Pump with an Existing Furnace
Published Online October 2023 Summary If your home has an aging central A/C unit, there is an option that can provide you with much more value than simply replacing it with a new A/C unit. It is possible to save on utility bills, increase your comfort, make your home more eco-friendly, and not pay any […]
Home Heat Pump Case Study 6: Fully-Electrified Home
Published Online September 2023 Summary Imagine making energy-efficient improvements to your home that not only enhance your comfort but also reduce your utility bills and environmental impact. In this case study, we explore the transformation of a Toronto home through a series of upgrades, including better insulation, air-sealing, and the installation of high-efficiency heat pumps […]
Using soil moisture data to estimate bioretention swale infiltration patterns and performance
Soil moisture sensors were installed in two bioretention swales at the IMAX corporate office to assess performance and determine if the swales are meeting design criteria. The sensors are resilient to winter conditions and can inform infiltration patterns year-round. Both bioretention swales had shallow and deep soil moisture and soil temperature sensors installed in the […]