Regulating Stormwater Discharges
The CRD Stormwater, Harbours and Watersheds program (SHWP) works to protect watercourses, municipal infrastructure, and nearshore marine environments from stormwater contamination. One of the means of achieving this goal is the development of regulatory compliance tools, such as bylaws and codes of practice, and non-regulatory best management practices.
As regulating stormwater discharges falls under the jurisdiction of municipal government, SHWP works with the member municipalities to develop these regulatory tools as models and then provides the model regulations to member municipalities for adoption.
Model Storm Sewer and Watercourse Protection Bylaw
One of the proactive regulatory tools that has been developed is the Model Storm Sewer and Watercourse Protection Bylaw. The bylaw provides member municipalities with the regulatory powers to prohibit certain types of wastes from being discharged into storm sewers and watercourses to protect the environment, public health, municipal infrastructure, watercourses and the nearshore marine environment.
Model Codes of Practice
The model bylaw contains provisions for Codes of Practice to be established for different business sectors. These codes are a set of rules regulating what can and can't go into the stormwater system, along with a list of controls and monitoring that may be required at each location.
Best Management Practices
Best Management Practices (BMPs) provide the public and business sectors with educational information and suggested practices aimed at minimizing the negative impact that their operations could have as a result of stormwater contamination. To date, two BMPs have been developed.
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