COQUITLAM, B.C., June 19, 2024 – On Monday, June 17, Coquitlam Council approved an update to Coquitlam’s Stream and Drainage System Protection Bylaw to expand real-time monitoring and control of water treatment to all major development sites city-wide.
In November 2022, Coquitlam launched real-time water quality monitoring and control systems at large developments in Stoney Creek to protect a sensitive watercourse.
Since January 2023, 11 sites in Stoney Creek currently have real-time monitoring systems. Eight of these systems have prevented over 2,300 spills and diverted 4.7 million gallons of non-compliant wastewater from creeks in the City.
New Development Site Requirements
In addition to the real-time water quality monitoring for all large development sites, according to the new bylaw, Erosion and Sediment Control plans must describe how the site will respond to extreme rainfall to ensure that there is no damage to neighbouring properties or the environment. The plans must also take into consideration groundwater volumes due to excavation so that contaminated water is not discharged into the City's drainage system.
Developers will need to use a real-time monitoring system from a list of pre-qualified providers. The City has previously approved one provider and expects to issue another Request for Proposals in mid-2024.
Each developer will cover the cost of their monitoring program as a condition of their plan approval.
Any projects that have not yet been issued a building permit will be required to comply with the amended bylaw and include real-time monitoring.
Programs to Protect Creek Health
Coquitlam has a comprehensive program to protect its network of more than 300 km of watercourses in 27 distinct urban watersheds:
The City monitors the impact of these initiatives through an extensive water quality monitoring program. Results demonstrate that more than 90% of the water quality samples meet or exceed the provincial water quality guidelines, meeting the goal set in the City’s Environmental Sustainability Plan.
Everyone Plays a Role in Creek Health
Anything flowing through a catch basin into the City’s storm drains empties directly into local creeks and streams. Yellow fish symbols are painted near catch basins to remind the public that anything that goes down these drains could affect fish, wildlife and overall creek health. Residents can help protect Coquitlam’s network of creeks, streams and rivers a number of ways:
- Volunteer for the City’s storm drain marking program – visit coquitlam.ca/Watercourse for sign up details;
- Wash cars on the lawn or at a car wash, and sweep walkways and driveways rather than hosing them down;
- Adopt a catch basin and help keep your neighbourhood safe, healthy and vibrant - visit coquitlam.ca/AdoptaCatchBasin for more information and to view a location map;
- Don’t use pesticides in your yard – visit coquitlam.ca/Pesticides for alternatives;
- Fix oil and transmission leaks and recycle all used oil and antifreeze;
- Never drain chlorinated hot tub or swimming pool water into storm drains – instead de-chlorinate the water, and then drain it slowly onto your lawn. Check out RCBC Recyclepedia at rcbc.ca for the disposal of hot tub and pool chemicals;
- During renovation and construction projects, keep dirt, paint and wet concrete away from storm drains and streams; and
- Keep pets away from streams – animal waste is a pollutant, and pets can erode streambanks, cause siltation and disturb fish and wildlife.
Visit coquitlam.ca/Watercourse to learn more about how Coquitlam is protecting local creeks, streams and rivers. Information about the City’s sediment control and protections can be found at coquitlam.ca/esc.
Media Contact:
Caresse Selk
Manager Environment
City of Coquitlam
604-927-3500
epw@coquitlam.ca
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-kwuh-tlum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬ təməxʷ (Katzie), and other Coast Salish Peoples.