There was more than a ripple of interest from Ecole Viscount Alexander students at the launch of a new water management guide.

Rivers West Red River Corridor Inc. launched Water on the Land — Sustainable Stormwater Management Guide on March 22 at the Waterford Avenue-based school to mark World Water Day.

Organizers say the new guide is designed to flow with an increasing desire among schools and communities to improve their grounds with greening projects. The aim of it is to help individuals learn how to implement and maintain a stormwater system and improve the quality of water that ultimately flows into the Lake Winnipeg watershed.

"It’s a resource to help people deal with drainage problems and water in an environmentally-friendly way," said Julie Turenne-Maynard, executive director of Rivers West.

Turenne-Maynard, a Southdale resident, said the idea for the guide is rooted in a large-scale greening project at Ecole St. Avila in Fort Richmond — called Down the Drain — that includes a rain garden and natural play areas.

"What came out of that were so many calls from schools and organizations. And while there’s lots of information on the web, nobody had a compact guide," she said.

Viscount Alexander students have had hands-on input into the future design of the school’s own ongoing greening project. Under the direction of the school grounds transformation committee, students have submitted drawings, which will be considered by architects.

One Grade 6 student wants the project to educate future generations about water management.

"It would be nice if we had a pond and lots of trees," said Emily Hunt. "Not just for our school, I want to teach young kids what’s happening. And there’s a staggering amount of people that don’t know what’s happening."

Classmate Anna Diehl-Jones agreed the mandate should stretch beyond the school’s community.

"I’d like a really nice garden that the community could pitch in to help with. Since I was really little I heard these tremendous stories about Hannah Taylor and was mesmerized by how she could make a difference," she said.

Principal Karine Rioux said the school and the committee are considering several projects that could include orchards, indigenous Manitoban plants to help filter water and rain barrels.

To learn more, or to download the new guide, visit www.riverswest.com.

simon.fuller@canstarnews.com