Preferred Client update from Chris Whitney of Royal LePage.

Managing Rain Runoff

Using rain barrels to collect water for your lawn and garden has the added benefit of keeping water away from your home's foundation and from adding unnecessary strain on municipal systems. Pools of water at groundlevel near the house can be a cause of erosion and long-term damage to the foundation of your home. Public storm sewers may not be equiped to take on heavy rain after a flash storm or long periods of downpour. It may cause backups and flooding in low lying areas.

Roofing Materials

If you are considering replacing your roof in the near future, you want want to research the new technologies and concepts that are now available in roofing.

• energy-saving roofing membranes that help reduce electricity costs during summer and winter months by keeping the heat or cool in.
• sun-reflective roof coatings that can applied on existing roofs to reduce heat absorpotion.
• ashpalt shingles are made of energy-efficient and durable materials.
• solar panels are more thin and use the roof surface area to heat water and provide electricity
• green roofs help insulate homes and use rainwater for the vegetation which absorbs greenhouse gases.

"A green roof is a roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and soil, or a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane." 

The following are some of the environmental benefits of a green roof:

• A green roof releases oxygen and absorbs carbon dioxide which helps in reducing global warming.
• The soil and drainage mat in a green roof retain water when it rains.
  
• The collected water passes through the green roof more slowly so it avoids flooding during a storm.
• The water going through the green roof has been biofiltered which cleans the water.

Listed below are the cost benefits of a green roof:

• A green roof can absorb sound better so it reduces noise within the building.
• It cools the house and can reduce electricity costs when cooling down a building.
• Green roofs last 2X to 3X longer than standard asphalt roofs.

The design and construction of a green roof involves putting on many layers:

• A waterproof membrane is placed directly on the roof to prevent water leakage.
• Next, there's a drainage mat made of polystyrene sheets which has little cups which retains water for plants to absorb.
• Then, there's a soil filter fabric which allows water and air to flow through but holds on to the soil. And a mesh layer that will decompose to help control erosion.
• Edging is put on the perimeter to create a retaining wall for the soil and garden.
• Finally, good soil; preferably something mineral oriented that is lightweight and retains heat.
• You can also put on an erosion control blanket to keep soil in place until plants get established.
  

Other things to keep in mind when thinking about creating a green roof: 

• You may need to add additional bracing so the roof can support the weight of the soil and other materials that will go on it. For instance, a 4 inch deep green roof could way 25 pounds per square foot.
• Also, you'll need some sort of hoist to lift the bags of soil to the roof.

Source: Article by Debbie Cafazzo titled "From sloping garage roof to elevated landscape"

The City is developing an urban community at the corner of Richter and Harvey

The City Of Kelowna is spearheading a project to set the standard for sustainable planning and building practices. The project will have a mix of commercial and residential development alongside an extensive park.

Some of the highlights include:

• geothermal energy systems
• solar energy systems
• storm water retention
• natural ventilation
• green roofs
• green businesses

The Central Green project will be developed to the gold standard of LEED™ (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). LEED™ is the most recognized green building rating system in North America and can achieve energy savings of 50 per cent and reduce water consumption by more than 35 per cent. 

There is a public forum April 30th 2008 7 PM at the Laurel Building, 1304 Ellis Street.