Asset Sustainability

Asset management is maintaining a desired level of service for what you want your assets to provide at the lowest life cycle cost. Lowest life cycle cost refers to best practices and appropriate cost for rehabilitating, repairing or replacing an asset. Asset management is implemented through an asset management program and typically includes a written asset management plan.

The challenges facing water and wastewater infrastructure (including stormwater management systems) include:

Determining the best (or optimal) time to rehabilitate, repair or replace aging assets;
Uncertainties about climate change upon stormwater runoff frequencies, flows and contaminant loadings;
New regulatory requirements;
Responding to emergencies (as a result of asset failures); and,
Protecting assets

Although the watershed protection concept is now accepted, it is essential to translate this interest into rational and logical processes that capture the interest of decision makers and (most important) the public. If asset sustainability in conjunction with watershed management directives are to be effective, it must be implemented with regulatory policies and legislation. But asset sustainability is not all about science for there are many components that are not strictly science based. Organization and structure, funding, public involvement and decision making that transcend political boundaries are essential to develop effective strategies – whether at the watershed or subwatershed level.

GREENLAND^® environmental projects use professional, multi-disciplinary teams. The cost of pre-emptive environmental planning is a small percentage of new development costs. Despite its low cost, it provides invaluable information that can save money during infrastructure design and construction stages. It can also prevent costly remediation and rehabilitation works.

Our team of experts firmly believes that to improve the quality of life, society must first protect what is already healthy. Each project is client driven and ultimately generated by the unique set of circumstances that influence the area that is being considered for development. While tools and methods may change from time to time, our commitment to the needs of our clients is a priority.

Strategic asset management for water and wastewater infrastructure must have regard for “watersheds”, as well as cumulative effects and climate change, since watersheds are exceedingly intricate and inter-dependent complexes of land, water, plants and animals.

The watershed is also now recognized as the priority unit for identifying and managing water supply and wastewater treatment systems. However, this approach to find sustainable asset solutions can place significant pressures on resource agency managers and planners to provide leadership and innovation.

Since incorporation (over 30 years ago), our corporate brand has regard for asset sustainability principles since we combine traditional engineering methods and bio-mimicry principles with 'smart' technologies. We also pioneered a responsible corporate brand with an environmental protection, conservationist ethic and climate adaptation priorities too.

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Client Testimonials

Corporation of the Town of Collingwood (Canada)

RE: Town of Collingwood - Master Stormwater Management Final Report

Your team did a great job conveying the output of your work to the Development Committee last night. I think the analysis was well understood by Members, and that there is confidence in the approach you have taken to the work. This topic is very important for Collingwood, and it is great to have this intelligent analysis from which to continue to leap forward.

Sincerely,

Sonya G. Skinner, P. Eng.
Chief Administrative Officer
Corporation of the Town of Collingwood (Canada)
February 15, 2022

Muskoka Watershed Council

The Muskoka Watershed Council’s mission is to champion watershed health in those watersheds that flow into and through the District Municipality of Muskoka. There is no conservation authority in Muskoka, instead the Council is a volunteer-based organization supported by the District of Muskoka, local consulting firms, and local Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change offices.

The Muskoka Watershed Council is currently undertaking a project to understand the potential impact of climate change in Muskoka to the year 2050. In working with our municipal partners, decision support tools such as Greenland’s new CANWET-5 model could be useful in informing our watershed management planning decisions in relation to policy development, stewardship priorities and education and communication programs.

Peter Sale
Chair
Muskoka Watershed Council
November 17, 2014

Credit Valley Conservation

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your work on the Brampton “Pond 10 Floating Islands Research Project”. This project was a “first of its kind” within our watershed.

Greenland was responsible for preparing the design brief for the islands that provided details on the anchoring system design, safety considerations and a strategy for establishing a vegetation community among other things. This was a challenging project given that there was no pre-established process to follow and therefore we were defining the design and implementation process from scratch.

Greenland was always very responsive when issues arose and helped us troubleshoot options to solve the issue. They refined the design brief and assisted CVC with implementing improved anchor designs that have been successful in keeping the islands stable over the past few years even though some extreme weather events.

We were very pleased with the consulting services Greenland provided for this project.

Phil James, P.Eng.
Manager, Watershed Protection and Restoration
Credit Valley Conservation
March 14, 2014

Corporate Partnerships & Associations