Integrated Rainwater Management Plan

The 2026 Integrated Rainwater Management Plan (IRMP) will guide how rainwater is managed across the Vancouver campus over the long term.
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Developed through the implementation of Campus Vision 2050 and in coordination with broader campus planning (the Land Use Plan, Campus Plan, and neighbourhood plans), the IRMP responds to continued campus growth and increasing climate-related risks, while ensuring the protection of the Point Grey cliffs and the valued areas of the campus from flooding.

The IRMP establishes a campus-wide framework to protect critical infrastructure, support ecological systems, and safeguard surrounding environments, while maximizing co-benefits for the campus community and Musqueam. It reflects updated climate projections, modelling, policy direction, and best practices in green rainwater infrastructure. This plan replaces the 2017 Integrated Stormwater Management Plan and sets out a renewed direction for sustainable, cost-effective and resilient rainwater management at UBC.

Download the Integrated Rainwater Management Plan

Navigating the Plan

  • Parts One and Two: Primarily intended for UBC staff to support the implementation of rainwater management infrastructure. This includes UBC Facilities, which is responsible for the operation and maintenance of this infrastructure, and Campus & Community Planning, which is responsible for policy development, regulatory review, and approvals.
  • Part Three (Design Guidelines): Intended for project teams, including UBC Project Services, UBC Properties Trust, and external consultants. It provides clear requirements and guidance for the design and delivery of rainwater management components in new construction projects and renovations, and is supported by the UBC Technical Guidelines.

The IRMP will also inform external audiences such as neighbouring jurisdictions, local governments, researchers, and other universities about UBC’s approach to rainwater management 

 

Select the dropdowns below for an overview of the 2026 IRMP.

  • Optimize rainwater management at the source, to minimize both downstream impacts and the need for grey infrastructure upgrades.
  • Mitigate flood risk in vulnerable areas on campus.
  • Mitigate cliff erosion risk by managing overland flows on campus and avoiding increased infiltration near cliff areas.
  • Develop cost-effective financial strategies and tools within UBC Vancouver campus’ funding context, to support both capital and operations and maintenance costs.
  • Identify adaptive green rainwater infrastructure that responds to seasonal variability and future climate conditions.
  • Generate co-benefits, such as improved water quality, rainwater harvesting, enhanced ecology and biodiversity, and increased Musqueam presence in the landscape.
  • Provide clear, standardized guidance for rainwater management at different scales (e.g., campus, catchment, site/building), including contributions to the network and operations and maintenance practices to extend useful life. 

The IRMP identifies infrastructure upgrades to support long-term, resilient rainwater management across the UBC Vancouver campus. They key upgrades are:

  • Centralized surface facilities for detaining storm sewer flows during major weather events
  • Targeted upgrades to trunk and local storm sewers
  • Site-level green rainwater infrastructure facilities
  • Strategic rainwater quality treatment.

Particular attention is given to managing flows to Metro Vancouver's spiral drain and protecting cliff edges, recognizing the critical role and limitations of this asset. 

To support consistent delivery of these recommended infrastructure upgrades, the IRMP establishes clear rainwater management design criteria and guidelines for future development, capital projects and public realm works.  

To optimize future investments and address climate uncertainty, the IRMP recommends a rainwater monitoring program that includes groundwater wells, storage facilities, and green rainwater infrastructure.

Implementation of the IRMP is intended to be incremental and coordinated with campus development, capital renewal, public open space and public realm projects 

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https://srs.ubc.ca/environment/pollution-prevention/storm-water/