A joint report from the Standards Council of Canada (SCC), Engineers Canada, Credit Valley Conservation, and Zizzo Strategy provides an overview of existing stormwater standards in Canada and acts as a seed document to develop a national standard for stormwater quality management.
The report provides a snapshot of the current state of stormwater planning and management and how it may be challenged by climate change. It also outlines best and emerging practices to address future needs of stormwater management in light of a changing climate, and the benefits of a national stormwater quality management standard (SW QMS).
“A standardization process in the form of a SW QMS would provide a consistent process for decision makers responsible for the design, operation, maintenance and management of stormwater systems,” wrote the authors.
Across eight sections the report attempts to do the following:
- Set the context and summarize existing challenges;
- Detail a range of legal, environmental, social, and economic risks to stakeholders in failing to adequately manage stormwater;
- Map out the landscape of existing standards, including international, provincial, and municipal guidance;
- Identify gaps in existing standards and stormwater management practices;
- Discuss the potential benefits of a SW QMS;
- Explore what a national SW QMS could look like;
- Chart next steps
“A standardization process in the form of a SW QMS would provide a consistent process for decision makers responsible for the design, operation, maintenance and management of stormwater systems,” states the document.
Based on the findings in the report, SCC will issue a Request for Proposals this year to develop a National Standard of Canada.
Read the study, Developing a Stormwater Quality Management Standard (QMS) in Light of a Changing Climate, on the SCC website.
