Peterborough is trying to make sure rain and other storm water doesn’t drag contaminants into creeks and the river through a study that will seek public feedback Tuesday.

It’s the first of two public information meetings for the development of the city’s storm water quality management master plan study. The meeting will be held at the McDonnel Street Activity Centre, formerly known as the Peterborough Lawn Bowling clubhouse, from 6 to 8 p.m. at 577 McDonnel St., just east of Monaghan Rd.

There will be discussions on the scope of the project, options for improving the city’s storm water management ponds and results from testing on water sediment, said Robert Dunford, a senior project manager with the city.

“We’ll be providing some information on the improvements to the city’s storm water management ponds,” he said. “We’re also looking at areas that don’t have any treatment.”

The city has undertaken watershed studies across the city to look at ways to reduce the potential for flooding. This study looks at the entire storm water system, focusing on water quality.

Storm water can become contaminated when it runs off lawns, driveways and roads before entering the storm water system.

The storm water system helps reduce flooding by diverting water to creeks, which feed into the Otonabee River.

Storm water retention ponds allow sediment in the water to settle on the bottom of the pond.

One of the newer storm water retention ponds is next to the new hospital access road between Hospital Dr. and Sherbrooke St.

Dunford said the second public information centre would be held early next year and the storm water quality master plan should be done next summer.

In June, city council agreed to hire XCG Consultants Ltd. for $439,879 plus tax for the study.

See full story via Public meeting Tuesday on city’s storm water quality management master plan study – Peterborough Examiner – Ontario, CA.