Stormwater Management Manual
Stormwater management aims to build on the single objective of conventional stormwater management of local flood protection by having multiple objectives, including improved water quality management, protected ecosystems and liveable, attractive water sensitive cities and communities.
To provide information on the multiple objective approaches of stormwater management, the Department of Water published the Stormwater Management Manual for Western Australia.
About the manual
Adoption of the practices contained in the manual will lead to better management of parklands, waterways, estuaries, wetlands and oceans and will help prevent fish kills and pollution events.
Who is the manual for?
- Local government
- Industry
- Developers
- State agencies
- Service providers
- Community groups
What the manual provides
It provides principles, objectives and detailed design information. 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 for flood estimated (1987)
- Australian runoff quality - a guide to water sensitive urban design (2006)
- National water quality management strategy #10: Australian guidelines for urban stormwater management (2000)
Individual chapters for download
Chapter 1 – Introduction
Describes what stormwater is and outlines the purpose of the manual, the intended audience of the manual and how the manual can help.
Chapter 2 – Understanding the context
Describes the reasons for improving stormwater management and provides the principles, objectives, key roles and responsibilities for stormwater management in WA.
Chapter 3 – Best Planning Practice for Stormwater management
Provides references to documents that contain information about how stormwater management planning can be incorporated within the current land and water planning framework.
Chapter 4 – Integrating Stormwater Management
The Decision Process for Stormwater Management in WA provides part of the content of this chapter. It has been developed to support decision making by urban planners, local governments, State agencies, catchment management bodies and drainage service providers. More assistance for integrating stormwater management approaches is being developed as part of the Department’s urban water capacity building project. More information on water sensitive urban design can be obtained from the New WAter Ways website .
Chapter 5 – Stormwater Management Plans
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.
Chapter 6 – Retrofitting
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.
Chapter 7 – Non-structural controls
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 8 – Education and awareness for stormwater management
Presents ways to prepare and deliver education programs to reduce the amount of pollution that enters the stormwater system.
Chapter 9 – Structural controls
“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.
See the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities Adoption Guidelines for Stormwater Biofiltration Systems for more up-to-date advice on designing, constructing and maintaining biofilters (also known as bioretention systems and rain gardens). Additionally, the Vegetation guidelines for stormwater biofilters in the south-west of Western Australia have been published to assist in vegetation selection for biofilters in south-west WA. A summary practice note of the vegetation guidelines is also available.
Chapter 10 – Performance management and evaluation
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.
Chapter 11 – Further information
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.
