Partnering in Research to Improve the Future of Stormwater Management

University of Waterloo

Crozier partnered with the University of Waterloo and other researchers on the Stormwater Greenhouse Gas Emissions Project in 2023. This project aims to assemble and propose solutions for urban stormwater infrastructure that reduces the production of greenhouse gas emissions. It focuses on urban watersheds in the City of Kitchener to characterize the emissions from stormwater management ponds. More about this project can be found here: Stormwater ponds greenhouse gas emissions project | Ecohydrology Research Group | University of Waterloo (uwaterloo.ca)

In April 2024, Crozier accompanied researchers from the University of Waterloo on a site visit to the Wabanaki Pond in Kitchener. Vegetation flux measurements and open water flux measurements were taken along with other data, such as pH, water temperature, and dissolved oxygen. Crozier assisted with the flux measurement sampling and provided feedback to the team on future measures to implement based on site observations.

Crozier also attended the Annual Project Meeting in May 2024 with the team to discuss the current status of the work, preliminary results of the sampling and potential improvements to the sampling process. Crozier presented current samples of our projects to showcase the stormwater management facilities that we design. We emphasized the importance of this work in guiding future design regulations for stormwater management and the impact it could have in this industry. We are looking forward to continuing this exciting partnership!

Research Team Leads

For more information on this research project, connect with Amanda Pinto on LinkedIn, or call our Guelph office at 548-708-0022.

Wilfrid Laurier University

In June 2024, Amanda Pinto and Brendan Hummelen represented Crozier at the Canadian Water Resources Association National Conference in Saskatchewan to present the most recent findings in our stormwater management facilities research with Wilfrid Laurier University. The presentation focused on two research ponds in the City of Waterloo; the Dorwood Pond and the Yarmouth Pond. Water quality was measured at the inlet and outlet of these facilities for a period of one year. Current monitoring requirements do not require continuous monitoring of these facilities. As such, their year-round performance is often unknown.

Based on the results from the findings, we came to the conclusion that seasonality has an impact on the water quality in the pond and downstream. We also saw incredibly high concentrations of chloride entering these facilities indicating the need for source control. High concentrations of contaminants can cause biotic effects downstream of these ponds and impact aquatic life.

Moving forward, our team along with Wilfrid Laurier University are looking to continue expanding our knowledge of the performance of existing stormwater facilities in another municipality. Stay tuned for details!

Click here to read previous updates from our research with Wilfrid Laurier University.

Research Team Leads

For more information on this research project, connect with Amanda Pinto on LinkedIn, or call our Guelph office at 548-708-0022.

University of Western Ontario

Explore the findings from our low impact development techniques research project that we completed with Western University.