The Swamp Program
Stormwater Assessment Monitoring and Performance (SWAMP) Program is an initiative of the Government of Canada’s Great Lakes Sustainability Fund, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, and the Municipal Engineer’s Association.
This program was developed during the mid to late 1980’s at a time when the Great Lakes Basin was experiencing rapid urban growth, and stormwater runoff associated with this growth was identified as a major contributor to the degradation of water quality, and the destruction of fish habitats.
The Objectives of SWAMP Program are
- To monitor and evaluate new and conventional stormwater management technologies; and
- To disseminate study results and recommendations within the stormwater management industry
The Bluffers Park embayment site, which receives stormwater and combined sewer overflows from the Brimley Road drainage area, was chosen as the most appropriate site to construct a system called Dunkers Flow Balancing System (DFBS). This system treats polluted stormwater and combined sewer overflows, and offers an innovative solution to the problem of untreated storm and sewer runnof..
Flow balancing systems that treat polluted stormwater and combined sewer overflows offer a creative solution to this problem. The original concept, developed by Karl Dunkers in Sweden, is a storage device consisting of a series of connected cells created by suspending plastic curtains from pontoons. During a rain event, stormwater or combined sewer overflow enters the first cell, displacing the cleaner water into the second cell. Similarly, the remaining cells are filled in sequence before the polluted water can enter the lake. After the rain event, polluted water stored in the facility is pumped to a wastewater treatment plant while clean water from the lake or ocean refills the cells. Flow openings in the perforated curtains separating the cells are spaced in a manner that optimizes the length of time water resides in the facility by reducing the potential for short-circuiting of flow.
The Dunkers Flow Balancing System (DFBS) is typically constructed on the shores of a lake or ocean. In general, construction costs are low relative to other facilities providing the same level of treatment because the facility is not constructed on land, and the materials used are simple and lightweight. These facilities are also aesthetically pleasing and may provide a healthy habitat for aquatic organisms and wildlife.
Logging Requirements
To Log this Earthcache
Please send me your answers within 4 days of posting your found log. If there is more than one cacher in your party, include the names in your group. Only one person needs to send me the group answers. Found logs posted without proof you visited the site will be deleted.
Questions
From Posted coordinates
- How many Cells make up the Dunkers Flow Balancing System?
- Who invented the Dunkers Flow system?
- Stormwater enters the first cell from where?
- The screen-like curtains are suspended from what?
- Give three examples of how you can help improve stormwater pollution?
Waypoint # 2
Good spot to look out over all of the cells, check out the wildlife and take photos.
Optional: Photos are always appreciated and there are some excellent views of the Scarborough Bluffs
