From the Ramsar Forum

Design guidelines for stormwater pollution control ponds and wetlands

(posted to the Ramsar Forum, 27 February 2001)

Dear Forum members,

As was highlighted with the adoption of guidelines for integrating wetlands into river basin management at Ramsar’s 7^th Conference in 1999, the world has now begun to realize the importance of wetlands, both natural and purpose-built, for managing our precious water resources.

An Australian publication produced in 1998 has come to my attention which may be of interest to many of Ramsar’s Administrative Authorities – it is "Design Guidelines: Stormwater pollution control ponds and wetlands". This comprehensive publication covers issues such as "Selection of catchment management measures", "Principles guiding the design of facilities", "Design principles for ecology, safety and aesthetics", "Pond or wetland performance assessment" and "Pond and wetland water quality models". Included also are five case studies.

I recommend this publication to anyone who is considering the use of wetland ‘technology’ for addressing stormwater pollution problems. While based on Australian experiences the models would be adaptable to different settings and could provide and important basis for catchment-level measures to improve in-stream water quality.

For further information or to order a copy of the publication contact – enquiries@mdfrc.canberra.edu.au - for those outside Australia the cost is Aud$20 (about US$10 at present) plus postage. Those in Australia will have to pay the Goods and Services Tax on top of this cost. "

Bill Phillips, Director, MainStream Environmental Consulting Pty Ltd. Bill.Phillips@bigpond.com

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