Regional Stormwater Management
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Standards and practice guidance

Stormwater Standards and Best Practices for Ontario

RSM develops practical, source-based guidance for education and professional development. RSM practice guides do not replace law, codes, permits, manufacturer instructions or professional judgement.

Browse Best PracticesView Compliance & Verification
Ontario-wide Source-aware Clear credential scope
Standards-Informed Guidance for Better Stormwater and Flood Resilience Practice
Published by: RSMLast reviewed: 2026-07-19Scope: Canada, with Ontario programme depth

Source-aware standards and guidance

Structured information, clear next steps and fewer dead ends.

RSM organizes knowledge so each page connects to the training, certification, standards, public education or official resource needed next.

Scope notice

RSM practice guidance is educational. It does not replace legislation, codes, permits, municipal requirements, manufacturer instructions, engineering or other regulated professional services.

Practice guide system

Six guide families organize the core work.

Document discipline

Every RSM guide should show where it came from and when it changed.

Published guides should include scope, intended audience, definitions, referenced sources, practical steps, limitations, revision history and related training.

Required guide elements

  • Version and publication date
  • Scope and exclusions
  • Referenced official sources
  • Practice notes and field checks
  • Maintenance and record expectations
  • Related training and certification
Better decisions come from evidence, clarity and verification.

Standards-informed practice

Better decisions come from evidence, clarity and verification.

Strong practice connects applicable rules, technical guidance, manufacturer instructions, professional judgement, documentation and maintenance.

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Visual learning and field context

Connect the information to the systems, people and places it supports.

Purpose-built visuals help visitors understand the next step without turning the website into a crowded catalogue.

Water management and infrastructure system design
RSM visual resource

Systems thinking

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Urban stormwater infrastructure inspection
RSM visual resource

Inspection and verification

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Watershed network and environmental flow map
RSM visual resource

Watershed context

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Expanded RSM framework

Move from high-level principles to usable practice.

ExploreInspection and verificationDocument systems, observations, limitations and follow-up.ExploreMaintenance guidancePlan access, testing, records and long-term performance.ExploreTechnical resource libraryNavigate source hierarchy, review dates and official requirements.

Regional Stormwater Management

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