Translation: Alexandre Hackett 

With climate change causing more and more episodes of extreme precipitation, it is imperative to find solutions to minimize the negative impacts of rainwater runoff on the health of Brome lake and municipal infrastructures. Conscious of the need to tackle this problem, Renaissance lac Brome (RLB) and the Town of Brome Lake have decided to join forces and set up a new educational patrol team who’s mission is to help residents manage rainwater on their property. “There are many simple solutions that can have a beneficial impact on our ecosystems and municipal infrastructure,” says Alix Tremblay, the project officer for RLB. 

While waiting for the team to get up and running, here are a few tips on how to better manage rainwater on your property. 

Disconnecting your gutters
One of the priorities of the project is disconnecting gutters that discharge rainwater directly into the municipal sewer system, which increases overflows of untreated wastewater into our waterways. The purchase of rain barrels, the installation of gutter overflow guards or deflectors, soak pits or rain gardens are all simple but effective solutions to counter this problem. 

Rain gardens 

A rain garden, or bioretention facility, is a landscaped green space which captures rainwater and replenishes the water table. This is an aesthetically pleasing option that is also low-cost, seeing as the town has committed to contributing financially to these installations as of 2023. 

Responsible worksites 

The patrol team will work with residents planning to build or renovate, whose worksites can negatively impact the health of the lake’s ecosystem. “A poorly-planned or run worksite can increase runoff or erosion, thereby contributing to the degradation of the water’s quality,” says Léa Couture, RLB patrol member and Brome lake native. 

Would you like the RLB patrol team to come and visit you? Contact our patrol officer Léa Couture directly: 

Email: patrouille@renaissancelbl.com