Oldman River Basin Water Quality Initiative

BMP > Rural BMPs > Urban BMPs

Urban Beneficial Management Practices

The Urban Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) team will be implementing BMPs in a test area in Lethbridge in order to improve the water quality of the storm runoff. The Urban Team will be implementing both structural and non-structural changes over a three-year period. Two neighbourhoods, consisting of approximately 100 homes, and similar demographics and landscape properties will be compared and only one will receive information about BMPs. Stormwater runoff and water practices will be monitored over a three-year period to evaluate the effects of the BMPs implemented in the test community.

The structural changes will include catch basin inserts and increased street sweeping. The catch basin inserts are designed to provide filtering of suspended solids, trash and other debris as well as remove grease and various types of hydrocarbons. Proactive street sweeping will not only reduce the suspended solids but other contaminants as well such as salts, nutrients, oils and grease.

The non-structural BMPs will include a public education and awareness campaign about:

Lawn and Garden Fertilizer; eliminate excess uses, ensure proper application, select appropriate fertilizer, xeriscaping (plant native plants and grasses requiring less fertilizer and water)
Bacteria and Pet Waste; pick up after pets
Vehicle Washing on Driveways; use of alternative cleansing agents, discourage use of solvent and emulsifier based agents
Water Conservation; decrease wasteful water practices

It is estimated that by implementing these BMPs, contaminants can be improved by as much as 35%.




		BMP > Rural BMPs > Urban BMPs Urban Beneficial Management Practices The Urban Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) team will be implementing BMPs in a test area in Lethbridge in order to improve the water quality of the storm runoff. The Urban Team will be implementing both structural and non-structural changes over a three-year period. Two neighbourhoods, consisting of approximately 100 homes, and similar demographics and landscape properties will be compared and only one will receive information about BMPs. Stormwater runoff and water practices will be monitored over a three-year period to evaluate the effects of the BMPs implemented in the test community. The structural changes will include catch basin inserts and increased street sweeping. The catch basin inserts are designed to provide filtering of suspended solids, trash and other debris as well as remove grease and various types of hydrocarbons. Proactive street sweeping will not only reduce the suspended solids but other contaminants as well such as salts, nutrients, oils and grease. The non-structural BMPs will include a public education and awareness campaign about: Lawn and Garden Fertilizer; eliminate excess uses, ensure proper application, select appropriate fertilizer, xeriscaping (plant native plants and grasses requiring less fertilizer and water) Bacteria and Pet Waste; pick up after pets Vehicle Washing on Driveways; use of alternative cleansing agents, discourage use of solvent and emulsifier based agents Water Conservation; decrease wasteful water practices It is estimated that by implementing these BMPs, contaminants can be improved by as much as 35%.