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Stormwater Management Manual

Re-occurring and escalating algal blooms and fish kills in Western Australian waterways have resulted in an increased focus on improving stormwater management. Additionally, water restrictions have resulted in more interest in stormwater reuse. Stormwater management aims to build on the traditional objective of local flood protection by having multiple outcomes, including improved water quality management, protected ecosystems, and liveable and attractive communities.

To reflect the new approach to stormwater management, the Manual for Managing Urban Stormwater Quality in Western Australia (Water and Rivers Commission 1998) has been replaced with the Stormwater Management Manual for Western Australia (Department of Water 2004-2007).

Stand-alone chapters have been produced to allow for ease of reference and updating. Please refer to the list below to access chapters of the manual.

A combination of approaches is encouraged, including 'at-source' infiltration, non-structural methods such as maintenance of structural controls and training of practitioners, use of more natural water body systems, and structural methods such as swales and infiltration basins.

The manual was developed for local government, industry, developers, State agencies, service providers and community groups. It provides policies and planning principles, as well as on-ground best practice advice. It supports and provides information to enable implementation of Western Australian Planning Commission planning policies and Environmental Protection Authority environmental policies. It also provides specific Western Australian guidance in keeping with the national guides:

  • Australian Rainfall and Runoff - a guide to flood estimation (2001);
  • Australian Runoff Quality - a guide to water sensitive urban design (2006); and
  • the National Water Quality Management Strategy No 10: Australian Guidelines for Urban Stormwater Management (2000).

Contact the Drainage & Waterways Branch on 6364 7600 to obtain CD-ROM copies of the manual.
 
  Items 1 - 12 of 12
Adobe Portable Document Format Stormwater Management Manual for WA
Document Size: 106532 bytes
Publish Date: 01-FEB-2004 12:48 PM
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Stormwater Management Manual for WA - Chapter 01 - Introduction
Document Size: 1065147 bytes
Publish Date: 01-FEB-2004 12:48 PM
Describes what stormwater is and outlines the purpose of the manual, the intended audience of the manual and how the manual can help. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Stormwater Management Manual for WA - Chapter 02 - Understanding the Context
Document Size: 657808 bytes
Publish Date: 01-FEB-2004 12:49 PM
Describes the reasons for improving stormwater management and provides the principles, objectives, key roles and responsibilities for stormwater management in WA. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Stormwater Management Manual for WA - Chapter 03 - Best Planning Practice for Stormwater Management
Document Size: 374799 bytes
Publish Date: 29-JUN-2007 03:40 PM
Provides references to documents that contain information about how stormwater management planning can be incorporated within the current land and water planning framework. 
 
File Stormwater Management Manual for WA - Chapter 04 - Integrating Stormwater Management Approaches
Publish Date: 03-JUL-2007 11:15 AM
The content of Chapter 4 will be developed as part of the Department’s new stormwater capacity building project. The Decision Process for Stormwater Management in WA provides one of the materials for this chapter. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Stormwater Management Manual for WA - Chapter 05 - Stormwater Management Plans
Document Size: 2132985 bytes
Publish Date: 01-MAY-2007 04:05 PM
Provides guidelines on the preparation, implementation and review of Stormwater Management Plans for catchment areas and local government areas. The plans address urban stormwater quantity and quality from a management perspective, rather than a development perspective, to ensure that ecological, social/cultural and economic values are protected and enhanced and that management issues are addressed in a coordinated manner. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Stormwater Management Manual for WA - Chapter 06 - Retrofitting
Document Size: 2675298 bytes
Publish Date: 07-MAR-2006 12:50 PM
Explains issues to be addressed and presents tools for improving stormwater management in existing urban developments through modification of existing stormwater systems, or installation of additional/alternative stormwater management devices and approaches. Includes case studies and examples that demonstrate how to undertake retrofitting projects. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Stormwater Management Manual for WA - Chapter 07 - Non-Structural Controls
Document Size: 1045806 bytes
Publish Date: 16-MAY-2005 12:50 PM
Describes the initiatives available to manage the quantity and reduce pollution of stormwater by optimising practices of local government operations, State Government asset managers, industrial/commercial businesses and householders, through mechanisms such as maintenance practices, regulation, strategic planning and education. Describes non-structural controls, their benefits, use, effectiveness and evaluation. Provides advice on how to select and implement non-structural controls. Provides technical guidelines on the most relevant non-structural controls.
Chapter Seven Best Management Practices
PDFs of individual non-structural control BMPs have been provided here for your convenience.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Stormwater Management Manual for WA - Chapter 08 - Education and Awareness for Stormwater Management
Document Size: 532790 bytes
Publish Date: 01-FEB-2004 12:51 PM
Presents ways to prepare and deliver education programs to reduce the amount of pollution that enters the stormwater system. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Stormwater Management Manual for WA - Chapter 09 - Structural Controls
Document Size: 7092303 bytes
Publish Date: 29-JUN-2007 03:35 PM
Describes structural measures that can be designed and located in a catchment undergoing new development or retrofitted within an existing development to manage the quantity of stormwater runoff and prevent or treat stormwater pollution. Provides an overview of the benefits, use, effectiveness and evaluation of each type of structural control. Provides information on the selection of structural controls. Provides technical guidelines on the most relevant structural controls. Includes case studies and examples.
Chapter 9 Introduction and Best Management Practices
PDFs of the introduction section and individual structural control BMPs have been provided here for your convenience.
 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Stormwater Management Manual for WA - Chapter 10 - Performance Monitoring and Evaluation
Document Size: 1219802 bytes
Publish Date: 29-JUN-2007 03:41 PM
Provides information on establishing a monitoring and evaluation program that tracks the trends and performance of structural and non-structural stormwater management practices. Examples are included to demonstrate the methodologies promoted in the chapter. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Stormwater Management Manual for WA - Chapter 11 - Further Information
Document Size: 540431 bytes
Publish Date: 16-NOV-2007 03:42 PM
Provides a glossary of terms used in the manual and some useful contacts, websites and references for obtaining further information about stormwater management.
Note: This chapter has been updated to include a new definition for Average Recurrence Interval.