2.9 Future Directions

• For the short-term, the approach is to continue to work with the available tools and methods, for lack of anything better.
• For the mid-term, the approach is to evaluate the impact of urban stormwater on the receiving water bodies, to develop watershed plans, and to evaluate BMPs.
• For the long-term, the approach is to assess the results of ongoing monitoring of the receiving water bodies to see if the desired results are achieved.

In the mid-term, over the next 5 to 10 years, watershed studies should be carried out to assess the cumulative effects of numerous non-point sources and to determine how the urban stormwater loadings compare to loadings from agriculture or industry. These studies will help to establish pollution loading targets for each watershed, looking at these watersheds from a habitat and use perspective. Although the need for these watershed studies has been recognized in the provincial stormwater guidelines for the last 20 years, unfortunately, none have been completed to date. As well, concrete information about the applicability of the various types of BMPs needs to be obtained. This should also include information on the operation, maintenance, and the long-term sustainability of the BMPs.

In the long-term, the results of watershed monitoring programs should be evaluated to determine if we are on the right track, and if the guidelines are appropriate.

In the end, optimum results for the Bow River watershed will be seen only if stormwater comes to be regarded in a holistic, integrated manner that incorporates water conservation and water re-use strategies. Efforts to change the way Albertans think of stormwater management will reap positive results.

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