Executive Director with Alberta Low Impact Partnership is saying urban communities in Alberta, including Lacombe, need to do a better job with uncontrolled stormwater runoff.

Leta van Duin, spoke at the LMC Saturday afternoon, outlining some of the problems urban centres are dealing with, including ecological impacts to rivers and streams due to the lack of green space absorbing the water.

“Particularly in Alberta where it’s urbanizing so rapidly around our major centres. Anywhere we got a small creek where water is going into, you can turn that into a raging river with this extra water,” said van Duin.

“Whatever infrastructure or communities are down from that are going to have much bigger amounts of water to do deal with. So, we see what’s called downstream flooding.”

Some suggestions from van Duin include minimizing the amount of hard surface going into a community, more green space and keeping as much storm water away from storm drains.

Her speech was part of this year's Communities in Bloom Conference that took place Friday and Saturday (Sept. 22-23.)

It’s an expo designed to bring people together who share interest in growing plants and building community.

Residents of Lacombe were treated to tips on enhancing their green space while keeping up with strong environmental practices through educational sessions.

Provincial coordinator with Communities in Bloom Karen Snethun said the event keeps getting bigger and bigger each year.

“Everyone loves to get their hands in the soil and they see it as a way to get people together in their individual communities, work on projects and make the communities look beautiful by using plants.”

Lacombe placed second in the 2004 Communities in Bloom national competition for the for the 5,001 - 10,000 population category after winning the provincial level competition in 2003 and 2000.

Awards are based on communities with the top horticulture features across Canada and Alberta.