Cost-benefit analysis of LID and BMP interventions in the Humber River Watershed under anticipated future development

Human land use generates water pollution. Watershed managers use various tools to reduce pollution from human land uses. These tools include funding new fertilizer application equipment that reduces losses of pollutants from agricultural fields, and funding the construction of rain gardens and stormwater ponds in urban areas to reduce runoff. These tools all have costs and benefits, but little research has been done to compare the costs and benefits of different strategies to improve water quality in mixed agricultural-urban watersheds. This research will use existing literature on implementation costs and the SWAT watershed model to quantify water quality benefits of various types of water quality improvement tools, using the Humber River as a case study. This research will provide guidance for watershed managers to prioritize various types of water quality improvement tools in mixed urban-agricultural areas across Canada.

Faculty Supervisor:

Christopher Wellen

Student:

Partner:

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (Vaughan, ON)

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services; Public administration

University:

Toronto Metropolitan University

Program: