sustainable development principles and...

Appendix F Sustainable Development Principles and Practices

AECOM City of Brandon Appendices to the Development Report for Lands South of Veterans Way and East of 1st Street North in the City of Brandon

RPT_2010-08-13_ Appendices For S Of Veterans Drive_0039-060.Docx

Appendix F – Sustainable Development Principles and Practices

Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD)

Cities such as Toronto, Minneapolis, New York, Chicago, Seattle and Vancouver have begun integrating softer, more natural solutions into their planning and development, with encouraging results. Technologies adopted in other jurisdictions which have some applicability to the development of the site include the following:

Greenroofs/blueroofs Vegetated retention cells Vegetated bio-retention/infiltration swales or trenches Modified tree pits with stormwater storage capacity Bio-retention rain gardens Permeable pavements

A number of constraints may hinder application of “source control” technologies, which are referred to variously as Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD)/Green Technologies, Low Impact Development (LID), or Water Best Management Practices (BMPs). Constraints include, but are not limited to, extreme winter climate, soil conditions that may inhibit natural infiltration, flat topography and operational/traffic safety requirements, such as the application of sand, salt and de-icing chemicals, which can affect the long-term operation of such stormwater facilities.

Greenroof Blueroof Vegetated roof applicable to commercial, Rooftop stormwater detention applicable to institutional (school) or multiple residential buildings commercial, institutional (school) or multiple residential building



Vegetated Retention Cells

Modified Tree Pits with Stormwater Storage Capacity

Vegetated Bio-retention Swale

Infiltration Swales or Trenches Swales located on boulevards of public roads

Rain Gardens on Residential Properties

Permeable Paving Systems



Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) approaches are encouraged for development of public areas of the site as well as for individual lots. WSUD is an integrated approach to managing the urban water cycle including potable (drinking) water, wastewater and stormwater with the goal of protecting natural resources and providing water supply resilience to urban communities.

Water Conservation

Proposed residential water conservation strategies include:

Low flow appliances and fixtures in all residential units, as well as school and neighbourhood commercial buildings to reduce water use.

Rainwater capture using rain barrels and cisterns to provide an alternate water source for irrigation and other outdoor uses.

Grey water recycling, where appropriate, and particularly in the higher density multiple housing. This means reusing “grey” water from sinks and showers in toilet flushing.

Xeriscape, meaning using natural vegetation adapted to the local climate regime with little or no additional water requirements.

Reduce water use through low flush/dual flush toilets, and water efficient fixtures and appliances (low-flow shower heads, dishwashers and washing machines. The diagram below indicates typical percentages of water use in the City of Winnipeg, as an example of the potential for savings.

Consider the use of water conservation measures including rainwater capture/harvesting using residential rain barrels or commercial tanks or cisterns; recycling sump pump discharge for use in plumbing and yard irrigation, and grey water reuse/recycling in toilets. This will reduce overall demand for municipal water and wastewater servicing.

Grey water reduces wastewater production as well as the quantity of potable water used. Backflow prevention is required to CSA-B128.1-06 and sources with organics such as kitchen sinks, toilets and diapers should be avoided in developing grey water systems.

Waste water is often warmer than the water in mains, and heat recovery can reduce hot water and space heating energy requirements in buildings. In some jurisdictions, residential fire

protection sprinklers have demonstrated potential to reduce the need for large water lines to street hydrants.

Water conservation landscaping is based on Xeriscape principles, using native plant material that can thrive without additional water inputs.

Green Stormwater Management

Green stormwater management techniques that mimic natural processes will be incorporated into the design of outdoor spaces, ranging from private yards to boulevards to public parks and open spaces. Green streets will



incorporate innovations such as retention cells, bio-swales, tree pits and/or permeable pavements. Green parking lots will incorporate retention cells, bio-swales and permeable paving within multiple housing, commercial or institutional sites.

While Stormwater Retention Basins have been effectively used in Brandon, the site will incorporate emerging “source control” strategies being tested and installed across North America that reduce runoff while enhancing the ecological environment by reducing nutrients conveyed to waterways. Some of these strategies are more relevant to the higher density multiple housing or commercial uses.

Site development will also incorporate naturalized stormwater facilities. Constructed wetlands have been shown to improve water quality and reduce maintenance costs, while at the same time increasing overall bio-diversity. In the past five years nearly half of all stormwater basins built in Winnipeg have incorporated wetland shoreline environments. These naturalized basins have been shown to be less attractive to geese and have fewer problems with algal blooms since the wetland vegetation takes up nutrients that would stimulate an algal bloom.

sustainable development principles and...

Documents