| Abstract | These guidelines were developed in recognition of the need to harmonize the assessment of the value of storm drainage and flood control infrastructure initiatives, as represented by the benefits derived from them relative to their costs whilst considering the various uncertainties associated therewith, explicitly including those uncertainties associated with a changing climate. While such analyses are not uncommon in Canada, they have generally been limited to large-scale projects or other special situations requiring significant levels of investment and sophistication. In this light, these guidelines are intended to help promote such practices for a broader range of projects and a broader range of jurisdictions with varying degrees of sophistication as well as the quantity and quality of available information relating to their assets.
These guidelines may be used by any jurisdiction having influence or control over storm drainage and/or flood control infrastructure systems, the vast majority of which include municipalities. The systems considered herein include river and urban storm and wastewater systems that contribute to common flood mechanisms (i.e., riverine, sewer back-up, overland/pluvial). Applications of these guidelines are expected to be helpful at: (i) assessing infrastructure investment options relative to economic metrics and the financial capacity of the jurisdiction in question; (ii) comparing amongst competing infrastructure investment options and sub-options; and (iii) supporting funding applications that require that such assessments be made, as has recently been the case for Infrastructure Canada’s Disaster Mitigation Adaptation Fund (DMAF). In fact, a review of several recent DMAF applications revealed a wide range in the level of detail and interpretation of inputs for the benefit-cost analyses (BCA) produced, which in turn can compromise the reliability of the results, producing potentially unbalanced comparisons between projects competing for available funding. These findings reinforce the need and value of these guidelines |
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