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| ==Overview== | | ==Overview== |
| | Integration of Low Impact Development (LID) best management practices (BMPs) into stormwater management (SWM) systems is widely advocated to better address the potential stormwater-related impacts of urbanization on the health of receiving waters. A substantial amount of guidance is available on the planning and design of LID BMPs ([https://sustainabletechnologies.ca/app/uploads/2013/01/LID-SWM-Guide-v1.0_2010_1_no-appendices.pdf CVC & TRCA, 2010)<ref> CVC and TRCA. 2010. Low impact Development Stormwater Management Planning and Design Guide. Version 1.0. https://sustainabletechnologies.ca/app/uploads/2013/01/LID-SWM-Guide-v1.0_2010_1_no-appendices.pdf</ref> and their construction ([https://cvc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/CVC-LID-Construction-Guide-Book.pdf CVC, 2012])<ref> CVC. 2012. Low Impact Development Construction Guide. Version 1.0. https://cvc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/CVC-LID-Construction-Guide-Book.pdf</ref> and some municipalities and conservation authorities commonly require them to be a part of new SWM systems. |
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| | However, even with sound design, LID BMPs may not provide the intended level of treatment if they |
| | are not installed properly or protected from damage during construction. Experiences with early |
| | applications have shown that failures are often due to: |
| | Practices not being constructed as designed or with specified materials; |
| | Lack of erosion and sediment controls (ESCs) during construction; and/or |
| | Lack of rigorous inspection prior to assumption. |
| | A 2009 survey of stormwater BMPs in the James River watershed (Virginia) by the Center for |
| | Watershed Protection found approximately half (47%) of the 72 BMPs deviated in one or more ways |
| | from the original design, or were receiving inadequate maintenance (CWP, 2009). Similar results have |
| | been revealed from surveys of stormwater detention ponds in Ontario (Drake et al., 2008; LSRCA, |
| | 2011), highlighting the need for thorough inspections of BMPs prior to assumption and a proactive |
| | approach to stormwater infrastructure operation and maintenance. |
| | Therefore, it is important to conduct timely inspections during construction and detailed inspection |
| | and testing prior to assumption to ensure that LID BMPs are: |
| | Built according to approved plans and specifications; |
| | Installed at an appropriate time during overall site construction and with protective measures |
| | to minimize risk of siltation or damage; and |
| | Fully operational and not in need of maintenance or repair at the time of assumption by the |
| | property owner or manager. |
| | Like all stormwater BMPs, LID practices are designed to retain pollutants carried by urban runoff and |
| | all have a finite capacity to perform this function in the absence of maintenance, until their treatment |
| | performance declines or they no longer function as intended. Their functional and treatment |
| | performance will only be sustained over the long term if they are adequately inspected and |
| | maintained. Under the Ontario Water Resources Act, provincial approvals for SWM facilities and BMPs |
| | (i.e., Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change’s Environmental Compliance Approvals |
| | process) typically make the property owner responsible for all inspection and maintenance tasks and |
| | associated record keeping (Zizzo et al., 2014). A proactive, routine inspection and maintenance |
| | program will also: |
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| ==LID Practices' Inspection & Maintenance== | | ==LID Practices' Inspection & Maintenance== |