Stormwater Best Management Practices

Guidance for stormwater design and management standards are being updated in the Kansas City region. This effort is informed by modern stormwater practices, technology, data and modeling being utilized by stormwater professionals across the nation. The current standards date back to 2003 and were last updated in 2012. This effort is supported and guided by the APWA-Kansas City Executive Committee and 23 participating local governments.

The project aligns with APWA Sustainable Stormwater Task Force recommendations, which “resilient stormwater management uses a sustainable watershed management approach that manages risk, enhances value for all, and stewards natural ecosystems.”  

The scope will, at a minimum: 

• Combine water quantity and quality design standards  
• Create a set of stormwater standards and specifications that are more adaptable to variable development/redevelopment land use conditions in rural, suburban and urban areas  
• Address resiliency and sustainability by promoting more holistic system evaluations  
• Update rainfall standards and other appropriate hydrology methods  
• Increase the level of hydrology and hydraulic evaluation requirements  
• Provide more natural system design and maintenance criteria  
• Improve the evaluation of stormwater detention requirements for increased value 

A draft of the manual and its appendices are now available for public review and comment. 

Submit feedback

There are two ways to submit feedback on the manual draft. 

Option 1: Submit public comments via Bluebeam (recommended)

Bluebeam allows users to provide feedback directly on the document. Users must download the Bluebeam software or use the web-based tool. 

To use Bluebeam:

1. Select the Join in the Web option
2. Enter your email address and create an account  
3. Highlight and mark up the draft directly using Bluebeam tools

The MARC manual currently adopted by regional governments provides guidance for land development practices within the region. It provides developers, engineers and planners with flexible tools to reduce the volume of stormwater discharge while conserving water quality at the same time. This manual is being updated and combined along with the APWA 5600 Storm Drainage Systems & Facilities design criteria.

Local governments in the Kansas City metro area adopt American Public Works Association (APWA) engineering design standards to govern how stormwater is managed for the region. These standards adapt regional approaches to meet local needs and opportunities. These standards are located in APWA Section 5600 and the MARC/APWA Manual of Best Management Practices to Protect Water Quality (BMP Manual).

Please contact MARC with any questions related to this project.