The Province is offering new support for municipalities concerned about stormwater systems being able to handle growth, heavy rains and the potential for flooding.

Applications open on September 17 for the Stormwater Transformation Optimization and Resilience for Municipalities (STORM) program. The one-time program provides $1.9 million to help municipalities improve stormwater planning, understand flood risks and strengthen local resilience.

"Municipalities are facing increasing challenges with flooding and growing communities, and they need strong information and practical tools to plan for the future," said John A. MacDonald, Minister of Municipal Affairs. "STORM will help municipalities better understand and manage their stormwater systems, reduce flood risks and inform planning to make sound infrastructure decisions that will protect communities for years to come."

Under the program, the following types of projects may be eligible for support:

• technical data collection such as hydrological modelling, mapping, hazard identification
• planning and feasibility studies
• asset management initiatives, such as compiling a comprehensive inventory of stormwater infrastructure - which could include culverts, storm sewers, detention ponds and outfalls - assessing their condition and identifying maintenance and replacement priorities
• updates to bylaws, design standards and stormwater governance models.

The program is open to all municipalities, towns and villages, and they can apply individually or as partners. Individual applications can receive up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs, and joint applications can receive up to 75 per cent.

Program details, eligibility requirements and the application form are available at: https://www.novascotia.ca/apply-funding-improve-stormwater-management-stormwater-transformation-optimization-and-resilience-municipalities. The deadline for applications is November 12.

The STORM program builds on ongoing provincial investments to help communities prepare for flooding and climate change. The Province has invested about $10 million in municipal flood hazard mapping, resulting in flood-mapping coverage for about 90 per cent of Nova Scotia, and all municipalities having access to watershed-level and coastal flood maps. Mapping for the remaining areas is expected to be complete next year.

Quotes:

"Nova Scotia's climate change plan recognizes that stronger stormwater management is essential to protecting communities from flooding and other climate impacts. This funding will help municipalities plan ahead, reduce risks and build more resilient communities."

Timothy Halman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

"Municipalities have long identified stormwater management and flood resilience as important areas where additional capacity and resources are needed. This program is a meaningful step towards a collective response to climate-related risks and strengthening long-term infrastructure planning."

David Mitchell, President, Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities

Quick Facts:

• supporting stormwater management and increasing resiliency was identified as an opportunity under Nova Scotia's climate change plan - Our Climate, Our Future: Nova Scotia's Climate Change Plan for Clean Growth
• the program is funded as part of the climate change plan
• the Province has established a dedicated stormwater engineer position to support municipalities in accessing and applying flood risk data
• the Community Climate Capacity Program launched in 2023 and, delivered by Clean Foundation, helps municipalities, First Nations and communities strengthen resilience and adapt to climate change
• the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund was created in 2021 and has delivered funding to a number of projects to help make stormwater systems resilient to climate change

Additional Resources:

• Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act: https://nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/statutes/environmental%20goals%20and%20climate%20change%20reduction.pdf
• Our Climate, Our Future: Nova Scotia's Climate Change Plan for Clean Growth: https://climatechange.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/ns-climate-change-plan.pdf
• Powering the Transition: Nova Scotia 2025 Climate Change Risk Assessment: https://climatechange.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/climate-change-risk--assessment-2025.pdf
• The Future of Nova Scotia's Coastline: A plan to protect people, homes and nature from climate change: https://novascotia.ca/coastal-climate-change/docs/coastline-plan.pdf
• Information on the Community Climate Capacity Program: https://cleanfoundation.ca/ccc/