CSMI – Project history

Since 2012, the CSMI and its consultants have completed the following work:

  • Developed a Terms of Reference to provide a context for which the CSMI can discuss stormwater management within their region (2012). 
  • Identified a stormwater management philosophy within the CSMI geographic area (WaterSMART, 2013).
  • Identified and assessed stormwater management options and regional scenarios, and identified preferred options (WaterSMART, 2013).
  • Developed and executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to complete the necessary evaluations and assessments to determine project viability (2013/2014).
  • Completed an Engineering Assessment of Preferred Stormwater Management Options (MPE, 2014).
  • Received concept endorsement from political and senior representatives (2014).
  • Developed and executed another MoU (2014/2015).
  • Completed a governance evaluation to identify how the group will govern itself moving forward (WaterSMART, 2015).
  • Completed a Water Balance and Stream Erosion Analysis (MPE, 2015).
  • Developed and executed the CSMI Master Agreement, that commits partners to forming the CSMI Cooperative and developing subsequent governance agreements by February 2019 (Dentons, 2017). 
  • Procured funding throughout the project to complete all the above work.
Photograph of WaterPortal Board Member Ross Douglas

Ross Douglas

Board Member

Ross has extensive executive experience in Operations, Governance, Information Technology and Strategy at the board and senior management level including Mancal Corporation, Mancal Energy, Highridge Exploration and Atlantis Resources. He has worked in Oil and Gas, Coal, Commercial Real Estate, Portfolio Management, Recreation, Retail and Water and Wastewater Treatment. His experience is also geographically diverse having overseen operations in Canada, the United States, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Additionally, he has been on the board of companies with operations in Argentina, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Kazakhstan, and Russia. He has served on numerous Public, Private and Not for Profit Boards across a number of industries.

Ross has been active on several industry Boards and committees including the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and The Schulich School of Engineering Industry Advisory Council at the Schulich School of Engineering.

Photograph of WaterPortal Board Member Brian Mergelas

Brian Mergelas, PhD, ICD.D

Board Member

Brian is a seasoned Cleantech entrepreneur with a proven history of successfully bringing complex water technologies to the market.   With over 25 years of experience, he has led various organizations to achieve significant milestones in the industry. 

Having started as the founding CEO of the Pressure Pipe Inspection Company (PPIC) and later taking the helm at the Water Technology Acceleration Project (WaterTAP), Brian’s entrepreneurial spirit has been instrumental in driving innovation and growth within the sector. 

He is an active investor in the cleantech sector and has served on many boards including the Ontario Clean Water Agency. 

Actively engaged in industry associations like AWWA, WEF, IWA, and ASCE, Brian enjoys collaborating with fellow professionals to promote advancements in the field. 

Brian holds an undergraduate degree and a PhD in Physics from Queen’s University, which has provided him with a solid technical foundation.   As a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, he brings valuable insights to corporate governance.