The rivers, streams and estuary of the Fraser River Basin are among the most productive in the world. So when Wesgroup and ParkLane Homes began developing a detailed site plan for the River District (formerly East Fraserlands), protecting and enhancing this resource was top of mind.
One goal was to develop an effective rainwater management strategy. In rainy Vancouver, storm water is usually relatively clean. But during a dry spell, automobile emissions build up on roads, contaminating the first post-drought runoff.
To prevent this runoff from flowing directly into the Fraser, the East Fraserlands will employ an extensive network of rain gardens, water courses and wetlands to collect, clean and cool the storm water before it is released into the river. The sustainable system will also retain or degrade residual compounds through water plants and microbes, provide new habitat for a range of wildlife, and add to the aesthetic beauty of the community.
(Thanks, Mother Nature.)
