Environment

The City's stream mapping program enables City staff to make better decisions with respect to land use and operations, as well as provide information to property owners and the community at large. Stream locations can be found on the City's Webmap.

Fish presence information can be found here:

• Ministry of Environment Fisheries Inventory Data Query
• Community Mapping Network: Sensitive Habitat Inventory & Mapping 

The City's watercourses and streamside areas are protected by the following bylaws and senior government:

• Waterways Protection Bylaw No. 269-96  
• Streamside Protection Bylaw No. 1465-2005
• BC Ministry of Environment
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada
• Environment Canada 

For detailed information refer to the following:

• Living Near Streams and Ravines handout for information about streamside protection
• Developing Near Streams and Ravines (Appendix A: Technical Information, Appendix B: Setback Comparison Table, Appendix C: Signage, Appendix D: Costing Sheet) information package for developing near streams
• BC Ministry of Agriculture's factsheet for information about agricultural building setbacks from watercourses and wetlands.
• Preventing Stormwater Pollution

If you are interested in planting native plants in your riparian area or garden, please see the Gardening with Native Plants in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley guide.

Storm Sewers:

The storm drainage system collects water runoff from roads, gutters, parking lots and other hard surfaces. This water flows directly into Abbotsford’s streams untreated, which is why it’s important to not pour anything into a storm drain that you wouldn’t pour into a stream!  During rainstorms, water running off properties can carry with it household chemicals (e.g. fertilizers, pesticides) and organic wastes (e.g. dirt, grass clippings and leaf litter) that can pollute local streams and wildlife habitat.

Sanitary Sewers: 

The sanitary sewer system carries waste and water from within buildings and homes such as sinks, showers, toilets, basement floor drains and washing machines. It is designed to take your wastewater to the JAMES Wastewater Treatment Plant, where many different processes are used to make the water safe for discharge to the Fraser River.

Storm Drain Troopers:

The yellow fish you see painted by the storm drains serves as a reminder that only rain should go down the storm drain. If you would like to volunteer to paint any of these yellow fish adjacent to the storm drains, check out the City's Storm Drain Troopers program!

You can help keep Abbotsford’s watercourses clean by reporting water pollution and helping to prevent pollution from getting to storm drains. If you witness a spill, chemicals being washed into a storm drain, or a contaminated stream, contact the City’s Engineering Department at 604-853-5485 or operations@abbotsford.ca. You can also call the Provincial Emergency Program at 1-800-663-3456.

General home maintenance

• Properly dispose of any chemicals, soaps, paint, etc. Not sure where it goes? Check out the Waste Wizard
• If you have an on-site septic system, be sure to maintain it regularly  

• If you have a pool or hot tub that you need to drain, discharge the water onto the ground so that it can slowly soak away. Make sure the water isn’t directed into storm drains since chlorinated water can kill fish. Also ensure you are not discharging the water on to steep slopes.

• Ensure you’re using the proper products for their intended use (i.e. don’t use powdered detergent to remove moss from your roof, instead use a proper moss treatment)

Lawn & Garden

• Create more pervious area (e.g. areas like gardens or grass) which allow water to infiltrate into the ground instead of flowing into the storm system
• Pick up pet waste
• Don't litter. If you see garbage sitting near the catch basin, clean it up before it has a chance to enter the storm system.
• Reduce chemicals used in your yard. Instead of using chemicals to kill weeds, consider hand-pulling or using a non-toxic method. Limit your use of fertilizer.
• Only use bark mulch in areas where there isn’t a likelihood of stormwater runoff because it can leach toxins into rainwater
• Direct roof downspouts away from drain tiles; allow the water to slowly filter to the ground on a gravel splashpad
• While landscaping, be sure to sweep up any loose soil or organic litter that could be washed into a storm drain

Car & Driveway Care

• Wash cars on the grass with environmentally friendly detergent or at commercial carwashes where the water is collected and sent to the wastewater treatment plant.
• Fix fluid leaks from your car
• Never dispose of automotive fluids down the storm drain
• Sweep driveways instead of hosing them down because using water to wash down the driveway stirs up pollutants and litter that can be carried to the storm drain
• If you are constructing your driveway or sidewalks, consider using porous asphalt or paving stones because this allows water to seep through it. If you will be using concrete or aggregate, prevent all concrete wash water from entering the storm drain because it is very toxic to aquatic life.

The Abbotsford-Sumas Aquifer extends across the Canada-US border. On our side of the border, this aquifer stretches about 100 square kilometers in area. This aquifer serves as the sole source of drinking water to numerous private well owners, the City of Sumas in the State of Washington, the Clearbrook Waterworks District, in addition to serving as a secondary source of drinking water for the City of Abbotsford.
 
The aquifer is also the main source of water for a multi-million dollar provincial trout hatchery and various other important industrial and agricultural uses on both sides of the border. Many people's lives and businesses depend on an adequate supply of good quality groundwater from this aquifer.

Groundwater in the Abbotsford-Sumas Aquifer is very susceptible to being polluted or contaminated. Depending on what is on the ground at the time, rainfall can mix with substances such as spilled petroleum products, pesticides or fertilizers, including manure, and introduce these unwanted chemicals into the groundwater and contaminate it. The contaminated groundwater can be a potential health risk to those who drink it.

With the help of experts and stakeholders, a Groundwater Management Strategy has been developed to outline local solutions to protect this valuable drinking water resource.
 
Groundwater protection area signs have been installed at strategic locations in Abbotsford and Sumas, Washington. These signs help to promote a greater awareness of, and the need to protect, the Abbotsford-Sumas Aquifer.

• BC Ministry of Environment, Water Stewardship
• BC Ministry of Health, Drinking Water Protection
• Environment Canada
• British Columbia Groundwater Association  

The Fraser Valley Regional District oversees a regional air quality program designed to reduce emissions and improve air quality. For more information visit the Air Quality Program at the FVRD.

In addition to the Air Quality Health Index, a more traditional Air Quality Index (AQI) is also developed for Abbotsford based on the information collected at the air quality monitoring station located at Mill Lake Park. Air contaminants such as carbon monoxide, fine particulate matter and ozone are used to construct the AQI. The current AQI and levels of air contaminants, are available from the “Abbotsford Central” link, at Metro Vancouver, Air Quality Index.

Air emissions and air pollution are within the authority of the BC Ministry of Environment under the Environmental Management Act. The Environmental Protection Division of the Lower Mainland Region (office located in Surrey) is specifically responsible for the Abbotsford area.

• BC Ministry of Environment Air Quality Data 
• Environment Canada Air Quality Health Index 
• Environment Canada Climate Data