Saskatoon wins Watershed Award for Prairies and the North

IBC and FCM announce winners of first annual Watershed Awards to recognize communities adapting to effects of climate change

TORONTO, May 29 /CNW/ - Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), in partnership with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), has awarded Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, the 2010 Watershed Award for the Prairies and the North for its Superpipe Initiative.

This is the inaugural year of the Watershed Awards, which are part of FCM's Sustainable Community Awards and were presented this evening at FCM's 73rd Annual Conference and Municipal Expo(TM) in Toronto. The awards were designed to recognize Canadian municipalities that have taken proactive measures to reduce their vulnerability to storm and wastewater damage.

"Severe weather resulting from climate change has become a formidable foe," said Lindsay Olson, Vice-President, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, IBC. "Insurers see first-hand the impact and havoc this causes for individuals and communities. The Watershed Awards shine a spotlight on communities that have taken the initiative to adapt to the effects of climate change to protect their citizens and, in the process, inspire other communities to follow their lead," she added.

FCM President Basil Stewart, mayor of Summerside, PEI, said: "Municipalities are among the leaders in the battle against climate change. It's important to recognize the most innovative measures being implemented by municipal governments across the country to reduce storm and wastewater damage in their communities."

The Superpipe Initiative, Saskatoon, SK

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7F6Dm7dyGs

Foundation drainage systems (known as household weeping tile systems) that drain directly into basement floor drains were causing significant flooding from sanitary sewer systems after severe rainfalls in Saskatoon. An estimated 50% of households have these weeping tile systems connected to their floor drains, and disconnecting these systems would be expensive. As an alternative solution, Saskatoon provided "superpipes," which are storage tanks that are constructed from large-diameter polyethylene and connected directly to the sanitary sewer system at elevations lower than the most vulnerable basements. When a large rainfall occurs, the extra flow generated by the weeping tile systems overflows directly into the superpipes instead of into the basements.

About IBC

Insurance Bureau of Canada is the national industry association representing Canada's private home, car and business insurers. Its member companies represent 90% of the property and casualty (P&C) insurance market in Canada. The P&C insurance industry employs over 110,000 Canadians, pays more than $6 billion in taxes to the federal, provincial and municipal governments, and has a total premium base of $39 billion.

About FCM

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) has been the national voice of municipal government since 1901. With more than 1,800 members, FCM represents the interests of municipalities on policy and program matters that fall within federal jurisdiction. Members include Canada's largest cities, small urban and rural communities and 18 provincial and territorial municipal associations.

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For further information: IBC: Ellen Woodger, [phone]; or Pete Karageorgos, [phone] ext. 4329; FCM: Maurice Gingues, [phone] or [email protected]