Edmonton's 20-year flood plan in sixth year with $1.6 billion invested so far

Edmonton and Epcor are in the sixth year of a 20-year, $1.6-billion Stormwater Integrated Resource Plan designed to slow and redirect stormwater away from high-risk areas before extreme rainfall events like the one that hit the city last weekend can cause widespread flooding.

The strategy includes installing dry ponds — green spaces that capture excess stormwater — and separating tunnels, trunks, and sewers to increase storm-water movement and reduce backup risks. In mature neighbourhoods, crews are adding concrete bump-outs beside sidewalks with greenery and mulch that let water absorb slowly into the system rather than pool unexpectedly.

"These types of extreme weather events are becoming more common," said Ward Métis Councillor Ashley Salvador. "It makes me think about how important it is to be proactive with the kind of infrastructure that we're building so that we're able to adapt and mitigate those impacts as best as we can."

Alireza Bayat, a University of Alberta engineering research chair, said that while a severe storm like the weekend's isn't necessarily surprising, age of pipes isn't the main culprit. "The capacity of the network — I don't want to necessarily link that to the age and say, 'Because we are not spending, then we are flooding,'" he said. Even new pipes face limits when rainfall is severe. "This type of infrastructure, you cannot go and change it overnight."

Epcor also offers RainWise rebates, free flood-prevention home inspections, and backwater-valve subsidies to help customers improve their own flood resilience. Several recreation facilities, golf courses, and city attractions have reopened since the weekend closures; the Peter Hemingway Aquatic Centre and Grand Trunk Fitness main pool remain shuttered.