Stormwater management facility water quality in Spruce Grove

Seeing green when you look at our stormwater management facilities (SWMF)?

During the summer months, it’s not unusual to see algae and weeds on SWMFs throughout the community, which can give them a green appearance.

City crews conduct regular monitoring, testing, and maintenance of SWMFs for both algae and weeds, as both these items are normal and expected as part of a naturalized SWMF system. In fact, having a healthy amount of algae in these bodies of water is important, as they support the overall ecosystem by breaking down nutrients and providing oxygen and food to organisms that live in SWMFs.

Residents – especially those who live near these utilities – can play an important role in maintaining the health and appearance of SWMFs:

• Do not dispose of unwanted potted plants or grass clippings near SWMFs.
• If you walk your dogs in the area, be sure to clean up any pet waste to keep it from entering the SWMF.
• If you use fertilizer for your yard or plants, take care to ensure it doesn’t run into the SWMF. When fertilizers enter waterbodies, it speeds up the excess growth of both algae and weeds.
• If you are unsure about the water quality of a SWMF, please report the issue through SeeClickFix so that City crews can investigate.

Remember that green ≠ mean when it comes to your neighbourhood’s SWMF and thank you for doing your part to help ensure algae and weed levels remain healthy.