This new approach is more environmentally friendly and can integrate other facilities. Examples are landscaped areas and temporary stormwater storage facilities in car parks and playgrounds. At the Putrajaya Federal Government Administration Centre, this new approach has been used by incorporating lakes and wetlands as stormwater storage and purifiers.
There are places that use this new approach such as Sierramas in Kepong, Selangor, Diamond Creek in Tanjung Malim, Perak and Leisure Farm in Johor. Stormwater collection tanks and reservoirs, described in the Stormwater Collection Guidelines published by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government in 1998 and the Guidelines for Reservoir Areas as Part of Open Areas published by the Department of Town and Country Planning (JPBD Planning Standard 4/97), are among the suitable methods that can be used as source control infrastructure.
Using a source control approach can also produce a harmonious environment for urban communities, enhancing its aesthetic value and therefore increasing the value of the property.
The use of this environmentally friendly approach is expected to eventually happen. However, based on developments in other countries, this may take 15 (fifteen) years without any proactive initiatives. Therefore, the Department of Irrigation and Drainage has prepared this second urban drainage manual entitled Stormwater Management Manual so that this new concept can be implemented immediately and carried out in a systematic manner and with a faster approach.
The Stormwater Management Manual is prepared by the DID to replace the first manual. It is more comprehensive, taking into account current problems faced by the country such as flash floods, river pollution, soil erosion, development in highlands and lowlands and so on. The latest developments based on the source control approach have also been documented. This manual has also been reviewed by various agencies, organizations and foreign experts. Where appropriate, their opinions will be considered in the preparation of the final document.
The aim of this Manual is to provide guidance to all regulators, planners and designers involved in stormwater management. It identifies a new direction for stormwater management in urban areas in Malaysia.
Stormwater management in catchment areas is usually carried out by several organizations. The challenge is to ensure that the planning, design and maintenance of stormwater management systems is in line with the relevant Local, State and Federal Authorities and the planning, environmental and civil engineering, and landscape architecture professions.
Under this new direction, stormwater management will have multiple objectives, including to:
- ensure public safety;
- control flooding disruptions and provide safe routes for less frequent and larger flood events;
- protect property;
- stabilize landforms and control erosion;
- optimize land available for urban development;
- minimize the environmental impact of urban runoff on water quality;
- enhance the urban landscape
These objectives will be considered achieved when :
- the planning, design and construction of new stormwater facilities are adequate to meet the needs of new and future development;
- there is compatibility with existing stormwater facilities, operating methods and maintenance techniques;
- the stormwater facilities provide adequate protection to the environment, the community and assets; in accordance with acceptable planning, design and construction requirements and the principles of ecologically sustainable development.
This manual covers all aspects and requirements of stormwater management for urban areas throughout Malaysia.
