Public Safety Guidance for Urban Stormwater Facilities

Abstract

• Sponsored by the Urban Water Resources Research Council of the Environmental and Water Resources Institute of ASCE; American Planning Association; American Public Works Association; American Society of Landscape Architects; American Water Resources Association; National Association of Flood and Stormwater Management Agencies; and Water Environment Federation.

  Public Safety Guidance for Urban Stormwater Facilities provides guidance for reducing risks from safety hazards at facilities managing urban stormwater. People like to be around water and may not recognize the possible dangers of retention ponds, open channels, closed culverts, or other features associated with stormwater drainage, water quality control, or low-impact development. Although it is impractical, if not impossible, to achieve zero risk at stormwater management facilities, steps can be taken to promote public safety.

  This guidance, developed under the auspices of seven professional associations, provides a framework for integrating protection of the public into the planning, design, operation, and maintenance of stormwater facilities. It describes factors that should be considered in selecting measures and recommends practices that can be used generally or in specific cases. Guidance is provided on such topics as safety evaluations, prioritizing hazards, safeguarding children, fencing, and mosquito control. Appendixes include bibliographies of relevant publications accompanied by key extracts, as well as a gallery of photographs and selection of conceptual design drawings.

  Engineers, landscape architects, land planners, stormwater professionals, and government officials will find this guidance to be a handy, concise overview of potential hazards at stormwater management facilities and of measures that can be taken to protect public safety.