Overview
Over the last three years, Hamilton has experienced numerous significant rainfall events that left parts of the City flooded. The City is committed to assessing, analyzing and implementing storm management improvements where possible and continues to be proactive in its approach. That is why the City has formed the Storm Event Response Group (SERG); a group composed of City staff with multi-disciplinary backgrounds. The group includes representatives from many divisions across the City, including Water and Wastewater, Capital Planning & Implementation, Operations and Maintenance and Risk Management, who are committed to enhancing the City’s storm event preparation and response.
In September 2005, City Council directed staff to establish an Independent Community Panel whose mandate was to address the causes and effects of inclement weather on the storm management and drainage systems in Hamilton. The Panel members consisted of experts from the fields of Wastewater Engineering, Watershed Planning, Stormwater Management, Climate Change and Water Management, Insurance Issues and Landscape Management. The Panel’s final report (link to report in sidebar) provided 26 key recommendations in the following areas:
- Technology, Engineering and Design
- Urban Design and Planning
- Communications Plan
- Policy and Implementation
The SERG committee meets regularly to ensure that these recommendations are being implemented.
Independent Community Panel Reports