The Archetype Sustainable Houses: Overview of Design and Monitoring Systems. The Archetype Sustainable House is a semi-detached twin house designed to serve as a model for the next generation of “green” production homes. The project objective is to demonstrate and evaluate sustainable housing technologies, materials and practices in order to influence how production homes are designed, built and lived so that ecological footprints are minimized, and quality of life improved. This report summarizes the green features and innovative technologies in the houses, and details the development and installation of a system of sensors and data acquisition hardware and software for energy monitoring.
Full report
2.6 MB PDF
Executive summary
285 KB
Project webpage
Evaluation of Permeable Pavements in Cold Climates. This ongoing study of different types of permeable pavements is being conducted over a three year period at a Kortright Centre parking lot by TRCA and a research team from the University of Guelph. The primary objective of the study is to advance knowledge about the performance of permeable pavements under Ontario climatic and geologic conditions. In addition to perfomance monitoring, the study will also evaluate and compare effectiveness of alternative cleaning practices and result in recommendations on design and operation and maintenance modifications that will enhance overall performance. The second interim report is now available for download.
2011 Interim Report
8.2 MB PDF
Project webpage
Rainwater Harvesting Design and Costing Tool. This Microsoft Excel-based tool was developed to assist with the design, sizing and costing of residential and commercial scale rainwater harvesting systems. The tool is relatively simple and easy to use and has been verified against actual monitoring data. The tool is now available for download in two formats: Excel 2003 and Excel 2007&2010.
Excel 2007 & 2010 version
Excel 2003 and earlier version
Project webpage
We would love to have your feedback! If you have used the tool and would like to share your thoughts, please email us at STEP@trca.on.ca.
Ontario Guidelines for Residential Rainwater Harvesting Systems. These new provincial guidelines have been developed by the University of Guelph and Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing in an effort to encourage use of this promising technology by providing technical guidance on selecting, designing and installing these systems. The information is presented in two versions: the standard Guidelines, recommended for those with knowledge of the building sector and trades involved in RWH, and an expanded Handbook for those who are less familiar with the basic trades involved.
Guidelines
2.4 MB PDF
Handbook
3.3 MB PDF
Performance Evaluation of an Anionic Polymer for Treatment of Construction Runoff. This study evaluates the performance of the polymer anionic polyacrylamide (PAM) for treatment of construction runoff in two potential dewatering applications. In the first application, PAM products were used in a roadside ditch, and in the second application the product was introduced via a mixing tank installed in series with a larger settling tank. A literature review is also included to provide context for the field study, and improve overall understanding of the nature, performance, and safety of PAM and other polymers.
Project webpage
Full Report
6.7 MB PDF
Executive Summary
251 KB PDF
Evaluation of Solar-Assisted, Electric and Gas Golf Carts. Electric vehicles are often regarded as an environmentally responsible alternative to gas vehicles. This study quantifies that benefit through a side-by-side comparison of gas, electric and solar assisted electric golf carts. Among other benefits, the study shows that electric carts are roughly three times more fuel efficient and produce one quarter the green house gas emissions of gas carts.
Project webpage
Full report
620 KB PDF
Low Impact Development Stormwater Management Planning and Design Guide. Developed by Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), the guide is a tool to help local developers, consultants, municipalities and landowners to understand and implement more sustainable stormwater practices. It provides engineers, ecologists and planners with up-to-date information and direction on landscape-based stormwater management planning and low impact development stormwater management practices.
Project webpage
Now available for download:
LID SWM Planning and Design Guide (no appendices)
Innovative Stormwater Management Practices Database. This online database of Innovative and Low Impact Stormwater Management Practices is a free, publicly accessible archive for municipalities, developers, consultants and others to share information about innovative stormwater management projects across Ontario.
Registering with the ISWM database allows you to submit your projects and have them showcased to other organizations and industry professionals.
Visit www.iswm.ca to register your project today!
Performance Evaluation of Rainwater Harvesting Systems.
Collecting and storing rain water from roofs for non-potable uses such as toilet flushing and grounds irrigation helps to conserve water, relieve pressure on costly water treatment plants and mitigate the adverse effects of stormwater on local watercourses. This three year study evaluates the benefits and limitations of three commercial and institutional rainwater harvesting systems for water conservation and stormwater management under water use and precipitation conditions typical of the Greater Toronto Area. A model, developed and calibrated using monitoring data from these sites, is also applied to assess hydrologic performance under different cistern sizing and precipitation scenarios.
Project webpageFull report
3.7 MB PDF
Executive summary300 KB PDF
Review of the Science and Practice of Stormwater Infiltration in Cold Climates. This paper reviews existing guidance on the practice of stormwater infiltration in cold climate jurisdictions, and provides an overview of literature on the function and performance of the most common infiltration practices used to manage stormwater.
Now available for download:
Full report
0.4 MB PDF
Executive summary
0.1 MB PDF
Evaluating the Effectiveness of 'Natural' Channel Design Projects. A ‘Natural’ Channel Design (NCD) Monitoring Program was initiated in response to an identified deficiency in rigorous post-construction monitoring of NCDs, despite their widespread use in Ontario. The goal of the program is to catalogue, monitor and evaluate NCDs in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The first two documents in this series present a literature review and preliminary assessment of NCD projects, and a standardized protocol for monitoring NCD sites. Future documents will report on results of ongoing monitoring efforts at 29 sites in the GTA.
Now available for download:
Introduction & Preliminary Assessment of Sites
13.6 MB PDF
Monitoring Protocol
1.5 MB PDF
Preparing for the Impacts of Climate Change on Stormwater and Floodplain Management: A Review of Adaptation Plans and Practices. This report summarizes measures that have been taken to prepare for the impacts of climate change in Canada and elsewhere, with a focus on stormwater and floodplain management. Research is based on a literature review supplemented by direct input from municipal staff on current plans and actions. While findings indicate increased awareness of climate change and its impacts at all levels, there are few examples of adaptation plans or measures to address quantitative impacts of future precipitation changes. Now available for download:
Full report
1.6 MB PDF
Executive summary
80 KB PDF
Performace Evaluation of Permeable Pavement and a Bioretention Swale - King city, Ontario. Initiated in 2005, this study examines the year-round stormwater management performance of permeable interlocking concrete pavers (PICPs) and a bio-retention swale on a parking lot specially designed and constructed for monitoring at Seneca College's King City campus. Older PICP and bioswale sites were also surveyed to assess how well these practices stand up over time. The study addresses questions relating to water quantity, surface infiltration, water and soil quality, cold weather performance, and pavement durability.
Project webpage
Full report
3.3 MB PDF
Erosion and Sediment Control Inspection Guide. Developed as a companion document to the GGHA Conservation Authorities Erosion and Sediment Control Guideline for Urban Construction, this guide is intended for use as a quick reference to aid environmental inspectors in their day-to-day work. Hardcopies of this pocket-sized guide are printed on 100% recyclable synthetic paper, making the booklet water resistant and highly durable to wear and tear and extreme temperature fluctuations.
Click here to send an email request for a hardcopy ($30 plus GST) or click here to download in PDF.
Also available for download:
ESC Site Inspection Form
20 Year Performance Evaluation of Grass Swale and Perforated Pipe Drainage Systems - Ottawa, Ontario. This unique 20 year performance evaluation of two swale-perforated pipe exfiltration systems in Ottawa provides a wealth of very interesting information on the long term viability of this type of stormwater management practice.
Project webpage
Full report
1.1 MB PDF
An Economic Analysis of Green Roofs: Evaluating the costs and savings to building owners in Toronto and surrounding regions. The higher cost of green roofs is a key consideration for building owners or developers deciding on whether or not to construct a green roof. This study estimates the life cycle costs and savings associated with building and owning a green roof in the Greater Toronto Area based on survey data, supplier interviews and literature from other jurisdictions.
Project webpage
Full report
5.7 MB PDF
Water Budget Discussion Paper. Improved management of urban runoff requires addressing the range of impacts that urbanization has on the water balance, and brining this concern into an integrated approach to watershed management. This paper discusses the need for inclusion of water balance considerations within the context of stormwater management for new development.
Now available for download:
Full Report
1.0 MB PDF
Stormwater Management and Watercourse Impacts: The Need for a Water Balance Approach. This literature review describes the fundamental limitations of stormwater management and end-of-pipe facilities for erosion control, and the mechanisms by which excess runoff from developed areas causes physical and ecological impacts to downstream watercourses.
Now available for download:
Full Report
667 KB PDF
Executive Summary
443 KB PDF
Action Plan for Sustainable Practices - Implementation Strategies for the Residential and Business Sectors in the Greater Toronto Area. This marketing study discusses opportunities for and barriers to improved adoption of lot-level stormwater management and naturalization practices in the Greater Toronto Area residential and business sectors. Data was collected through interactive research sessions with residents and key informant interviews with business sector stakeholders. Study recommendations form an action plan for enhancing adoption of these sustainable practices.
Now available for download:
Executive Summary
201 KB PDF
Full Report
2.3 MB PDF
Erosion and Sediment Control Guideline for Urban Construction. This document was created with regard for the principles and guidelines that best suit the Greater Golden Horseshoe Area Conservation Authorities. The application of this guideline within the GGHA is intended to help protect and preserve the water quality, aquatic and terrestrial habitats, and form and function of water resources. It outlines a consistent and improved approach to erosion and sediment control (E&SC) in the GGHA and provides practitioners with greater certainty in the application of E&SC.
Now available for download:
Full guideline
7 MB PDF