Commentary by Robert Colman

Last week, the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) donated 1,000 rain barrels to the community of Wingham, Ontario, to test how much the collective use of the barrels can reduce stress on sewer systems and help keep basements dry during intense rain storms. Climatologist James Lovelock often discusses how we need to adapt to climate change. This is a perfect example of how one business is acting to see how it can do just that.

The pilot was developed by IBC because the industry has noticed an increase in insurance claims resulting from more severe weather patterns. Natural disaster claims today are 20 times higher than they were 30 years ago.

"The pilot project uses old technology - the rain barrel - to deal with a 21st century problem. By collecting rain water we can hopefully provide some relief to our over-burdened sewer infrastructure which is dealing with ever-increasing amounts of rain water due to changing weather patterns," said Mary Lou O'Reilly, IBC Vice-President of Public Affairs and Marketing in a news release. "We believe this is the first time anyone has set out to measure by how much the use of rain barrels by an entire community can help to reduce sewer overflows
during intense rainstorms," she added.
   
Wingham was ideal from the IBC's perspecitve for the pilot for a number of reasons: a residential base of around
1,000 homes, a history of sewer backup overflows during intense rain storms and a local government committed to the project.
   
"This problem is not unique to Wingham," said O'Reilly. "Municipalities across the country are dealing with this issue. By encouraging entire communities to collect rain water, we hope to reduce the number of flooded basements and the demand for treated water," she added.
   
One rain barrel can collect about 45 gallons of water. A city of 55,000 households could keep 2.5 million gallons of water out of the sewer system if every home had a rain barrel.
   
Greg McClinchey, Councillor for North Huron Township, said: "What we learn here in Wingham could have a measurable impact on communities across the country. This pilot is a unique partnership between the insurance industry, the Township and the people of Wingham. It proves that good solutions can start at the grassroots level because people want to get involved and make a difference."
   
IBC provided 1,000 free rain barrels so all Wingham homeowners could participate. Support was generated through a public education campaign and information sessions for community groups. The Township assisted homeowners who needed help picking up and installing their rain barrels, and installed a Davis Weather Station to track the intensity of rainfall around the clock. As of June 3rd, about 875 of the barrels had been delivered to residents.
   
The weather station will allow the Township to compare the amount of water entering the sewer system historically with the amount entering after homeowners are using rain barrels. The Wingham Water and Waste Water Facility and IBC worked with the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority and Environment Canada to establish measurement criteria for the pilot.
   
Don Nicholson, Chief Operator, Water and Wastewater Facilities, Township of North Huron, said: "Years ago, sewer system design was based on weather patterns that predicted intense storms would occur every five years. But these intense storms are now occurring every two years. Rain barrels will capture storm water and hold it until it can be safely processed, reducing the stresson the sewer system.
   
Nicholson added: "The rain barrel could be one of a number of innovative solutions that allow municipalities to use their existing infrastructure more efficiently until they can be updated."
   
As a business owner, it's interesting to consider what you can offer clients that might help you lower your cost of service delivery to your clients in such a time of change. Rain barrels hit the heart of what insurance businesses have to deal with. Does your business have any similar sort of potential quick win?

Robert Colman (rcolman@clbmedia.ca) is Editor of Green Business.

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