Stormwater Management
What is Low Impact Development?
Low Impact Development (LID) is a stormwater management approach that works with the natural hydrology of a site rather than routing runoff to pipes and detention ponds. LID systems slow, infiltrate, evaporate, and filter stormwater at or near the point where it falls — mimicking natural watershed conditions.
In Edmonton, LID is backed by EPCOR’s Sustainable Infrastructure Reinvestment Program (SIRP) — a 20-year, $1.6 billion investment upgrading the City’s stormwater infrastructure. EPCOR’s LID program encourages developers to reduce stormwater volumes entering the storm system.
Project Benefits
Why LID Matters for Your Project
✓ Reduced Infrastructure Costs
Reduce or eliminate expensive underground storm pipe sizing by managing runoff on-site. LID features can significantly lower servicing costs on new developments.
✓ Faster Approvals
Streamline EPCOR coordination and meet Volume 3-02 Section 5.0 requirements. Our local experience means fewer design iterations and faster timelines.
✓ Incentive Access
Access EPCOR’s RainWise program ($11/m², up to $10,000 ICI / $5,000 multi-family) and SIAP. We structure projects to qualify.
✓ Climate Resilience
Edmonton’s semi-arid climate with extreme freeze-thaw cycles creates unique stormwater challenges. We design LID systems specifically engineered for Alberta conditions.
✓ Marketable Site Amenity
Rain gardens and bioretention basins add visual interest and green space, increasing property value and appeal to environmentally conscious buyers.
What We Design
Our LID Design Capabilities
Oasis Engineering designs, specifies, and stamps LID features to EPCOR’s Low Impact Development BMP Design Guide and City of Edmonton Design and Construction Standards Volume 3-02.
- Bioretention gardens and basins — soil-media planting beds that filter and infiltrate stormwater at source
- Box planters — contained bioretention suited to urban and dense commercial settings
- Soil cells — structural soil systems that support tree growth while managing runoff beneath hardscape
- Permeable pavement — pervious concrete, porous asphalt, and permeable interlocking pavers
- Absorbent landscaping — graded planting areas and bioswales designed to capture and infiltrate runoff
Our Clients
Who We Help
Land Developers & Builders
Functional servicing plans with integrated LID to reduce storm pipe sizing and meet EPCOR requirements on residential and commercial subdivisions.
Multi-Family & Commercial
Property owners seeking RainWise and SIAP incentive access. We manage the full design and EPCOR submission process to maximize your rebate.
Municipalities & Institutions
Public works and institutional facilities requiring compliant, maintainable stormwater solutions that integrate with watershed management plans.
Industrial & Commercial
Large-footprint properties managing significant impervious area with complex grading and drainage requirements.
Your LID Partner
Why Choose Oasis Engineering for LID Design?
Effective LID design requires the integration of civil engineering, hydrology, and landscape design into a single coordinated system. At Oasis Engineering, we bring all three disciplines together under one roof.
Our team specifies soil media mixes for Alberta’s climate, sizes infiltration systems based on actual drainage area calculations, selects plants tolerant of Edmonton’s freeze-thaw conditions, and coordinates directly with EPCOR throughout the approval and incentive application process.
Whether you’re designing a new subdivision, retrofitting an existing commercial property, or applying for a RainWise rebate, Oasis Engineering provides the engineering expertise and local knowledge to get your LID project approved and built on time.
Ready to Add LID to Your Project?
Contact our civil engineering team to discuss your project requirements and explore how Low Impact Development can reduce costs and strengthen your site design.