Inspection & Maintenance Training for SWM Ponds and Low Impact Development
Caledon
October 6, 2021
Since 2019, STEP has been delivering field and online workshops for municipal staff focused on inspecting and maintaining stormwater infrastructure like ponds and low impact development features. In 2024 and 2025, through the generous support of the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, these courses have been and are being offered at locations within and beyond the GTA.
Participants attending the field workshops will learn through direct demonstration of best practices for inspecting and maintaining these facilities and troubleshooting issues, cycling through a series of themed rotation stations run by experienced STEP instructors and municipal representatives. The information is disseminated through on-site knowledge and technique sharing to support municipalities’ efforts in maintaining SWM feature functionality while maximizing service life. The format of the course is meant to engage and allow for productive discussions, with Q&A periods built into each station and ample time to network with instructors and other municipal staff in attendance.
Virtual workshops focus less on instructional content and more on diving into to key topics in the realm of inspection and maintenance of SWM features. In this session guest speakers share information on their projects and programs and participants take part in moderated discussions on the key challenges municipalities are dealing with and what solutions and approaches have worked for others.
Courses running in 2025 are reserved for conservation authority and/or municipal staff working in LID and SWM inspection and maintenance in Ontario.
SWM Pond Training
TOPICS
- Bathymetric surveys
- Maintenance infrastructure and monitoring
- Sediment removal
- CLI-ECA compliance
- Fish licensing & how to apply for a licence to collect fish
- Forebays and aftbays
- Inlets and outlets
- Sediment removal
- Bathymetric surveys
- Monitoring and maintenance infrastructure
- Embankments and surrounding areas
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- We recommend you wear sturdy shoes or steel-toed boots as the ground can be uneven, as well as a high-vis vest and weather-appropriate clothing.
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- Please be prepared that there will be long periods of standing and 5-10 minute walks throughout the day.
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- Coffee, tea and water will be available on-site – please bring your own reusable water bottle and travel mug if you can.
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- Lunch will not be provided, please either bring lunch or if needed, you will have plenty of time during the lunch period to purchase lunch nearby.
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- Participants for the training will receive a participant’s package along with a feedback survey to complete. There will be no hard copies of materials provided so we encourage you to bring a notebook to record any notable tips or methods discussed during the rotational stations.
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- Please note, there will be a mandatory photo release to be signed at registration on-site.
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- Parking details and a more detailed agenda will be sent out to all confirmed registrants.
- Bioretention material and plantings
- Permeable pavement infiltration testing and cleaning
- Bioswale performance monitoring
- Permeable pavement visual inspection
- Bioretention inspection
- Filterra tree cell inspection & maintenance
- Pre-treatment discussion & demonstration
- Infiltration trench inlet cleaning & bioretention inspection
- Bioretention cell inspection testing
- Permeable pavement testing
- Underdrain inspection
-
- We recommend you wear sturdy shoes or steel-toed boots as the ground can be uneven, as well as a high-vis vest and weather-appropriate clothing.
-
- Please be prepared that there will be long periods of standing and 5-10 minute walks throughout the day.
-
- Coffee, tea and water will be available on-site – please bring your own reusable water bottle and travel mug if you can.
-
- Lunch will not be provided, please either bring lunch or if needed, you will have plenty of time during the lunch period to purchase lunch nearby.
-
- Participants for the training will receive a participant’s package along with a feedback survey to complete. There will be no hard copies of materials provided so we encourage you to bring a notebook to record any notable tips or methods discussed during the rotational stations.
-
- Please note, there will be a mandatory photo release to be signed at registration on-site.
-
- Parking details and a more detailed agenda will be sent out to all confirmed registrants.
STEP Wiki LID I&M
SWM Pond FAQ
SWM Pond 101 Webinar*
SWM Pond I&M Guide
AGENDA
Thursday, October 2, 2025 – 9:00am-3:00pm – Brampton: Andrew McCandless Park, 500 Elbern Markell Dr (municipal staff only)
Wednesday, October 8, 2025 – 9:00am-3:00pm – Brampton: Andrew McCandless Park, 500 Elbern Markell Dr (conservation authority staff only)
Wednesday, October 15, 2025 – 9:00am-3:00pm – Kitchener: RBJ Schlegel Park, 1664 Huron Rd (municipal staff only)
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9:00am – 9:30am |
Arrival & Registration |
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9:30am – 10:00am |
Introduction & Housekeeping |
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10:00am – 11:30pm |
Split into groups for rotation stations – 3 sessions |
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11:30pm-1:00pm |
Lunch |
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1:00pm-2:30pm |
Split into groups for rotation stations – remaining 3 sessions |
| 2:30pm-3:00pm | Wrap-up |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
LID Training
TOPICS
AGENDA
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 – 9:00am-3:30pm – Vaughan: Kortright Centre for Conservation, 9550 Pine Valley Dr (municipal staff only)
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9:00am – 9:30am |
Arrival & Registration |
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9:30am – 10:00am |
Introduction & Housekeeping |
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10:00am – 12:00pm |
Split into groups for rotation stations – 4 sessions |
|
12:00pm-1:15pm |
Lunch |
|
1:15pm-3:15pm |
Split into groups for rotation stations – 4 sessions |
| 3:15pm-3:30pm | Wrap-up |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional Resources
*Password: STEP220824SWMP
For any additional questions, please contact sarafinnimore@trca.ca