Changes

Construction inspections should be a shared responsibility between the property owner or their project manager, the designers (i.e., engineer and landscape designer) and the construction contractors. Many municipalities already conduct some form of inspection of infrastructure they will eventually assume during its construction. Those that do not, might choose to work with internal departments (e.g., road or building inspectors, parks/landscaping inspectors) or other agencies (e.g., conservation authorities) that routinely conduct inspections at active construction sites. With adequate training and staff resources, it might be possible to integrate stormwater BMP inspection duties during construction into existing programs. If the workload or skill set needed is beyond what existing programs can handle, or the timing of other types of inspections do not coincide with critical timing of BMP construction inspections, hiring of trained contractors or allocation of dedicated stormwater infrastructure program staff may be necessary.  

Construction inspections should be a shared responsibility between the property owner or their project manager, the designers (i.e., engineer and landscape designer) and the construction contractors. Many municipalities already conduct some form of inspection of infrastructure they will eventually assume during its construction. Those that do not, might choose to work with internal departments (e.g., road or building inspectors, parks/landscaping inspectors) or other agencies (e.g., conservation authorities) that routinely conduct inspections at active construction sites. With adequate training and staff resources, it might be possible to integrate stormwater BMP inspection duties during construction into existing programs. If the workload or skill set needed is beyond what existing programs can handle, or the timing of other types of inspections do not coincide with critical timing of BMP construction inspections, hiring of trained contractors or allocation of dedicated stormwater infrastructure program staff may be necessary.  

The frequency of Construction inspections may be determined by the municipal stormwater infrastructure program policy or may be general program targets (e.g., weekly, after large storm events, as triggered by construction milestones and hand-off points between different contractors). At a minimum, inspections should occur just prior to the onset of BMP construction to ensure compliance with erosion and sediment control plans and after any large storm event (e.g., 15 mm rainfall depth or greater) during the BMP construction period. The figure to the right describes a recommended process for conducting construction and assumption inspections.[[File:CIprocessFig63new.PNG|600px|thumb|Recommended construction and assumption inspection process]]

The frequency of Construction inspections may be determined by the municipal stormwater infrastructure program policy or may be general program targets (e.g., weekly, after large storm events, as triggered by construction milestones and hand-off points between different contractors). At a minimum, inspections should occur just prior to the onset of BMP construction to ensure compliance with erosion and sediment control plans and after any large storm event (e.g., 15 mm rainfall depth or greater) during the BMP construction period. The figure to the right describes a recommended process for conducting construction and assumption inspections.[[File:CIprocessFig63new.PNG|600px|thumb|Recommended construction and assumption inspection process (adapted from TRCA, 2016).<ref>TRCA. 2016. Low Impact Development Stormwater Management Practice Inspection and Maintenance Guide. Version 1.0. Figure 6,3. https://sustainabletechnologies.ca/app/uploads/2016/08/LID-IM-Guide-2016-1.pdf</ref>]]

Feedback from Construction inspections should be used to correct any issues associated with BMP installation or Erosion Sediment Controls (ESCs) and to identify when changes to the installation procedures, ESCs or BMP design are needed due to site circumstances or complications encountered. In cases where the project proponent or property owner uses a formal bidding process to select a construction contractor, opportunities exist to include special provisions in tender documents or contracts that will help ensure that LID BMPs receive adequate inspection and maintenance during construction.

Feedback from Construction inspections should be used to correct any issues associated with BMP installation or Erosion Sediment Controls (ESCs) and to identify when changes to the installation procedures, ESCs or BMP design are needed due to site circumstances or complications encountered. In cases where the project proponent or property owner uses a formal bidding process to select a construction contractor, opportunities exist to include special provisions in tender documents or contracts that will help ensure that LID BMPs receive adequate inspection and maintenance during construction.