Integrated Stormwater Master Plan (ISWMP) Update

This Request for Proposals (the “RFP”) is an invitation by the Corporation of the City of Kitchener (the “City”) to prospective proponents to submit proposals for Integrated Stormwater Master Plan (ISWMP) Update, as further described in Section A of the RFP Particulars (Appendix B) (the “Deliverables”). The City of Kitchener is a lower-tier municipality in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, Ontario. It is the largest municipality in Waterloo Region, with a population of over 310,000 people. The City of Kitchener covers an area of over 136 square kilometres, just west of the Greater Toronto Area and forms part of one of the most dynamic and fast-growing regions in North America – the Greater Golden Horseshoe. A Place to Grow is the Ontario government’s initiative to plan for growth and development in ways that support economic prosperity, protect the environment, and help communities achieve a high quality of life. The Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe provides a framework for implementing Ontario’s vision for building stronger, prosperous communities by better managing growth in this region.We acknowledge that these lands are situated on the Haldimand Tract, land promised to the Haudenosaunee of the Six Nations of the Grand River, and are within the traditional territories of the Neutral, Anishinaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. We recognize and deeply appreciate their historic connection to this place.Kitchener established its Stormwater Utility in 2010, and since then has adopted an innovative approach to stormwater management throughout the City. The City created its first Integrated Stormwater Master Plan (ISWMP) in 2016. The 2016 ISWMP marked a significant shift toward a more integrated, source-control-focused approach which established a new standard for city-wide stormwater management. Since then, the City has implemented many of its recommended actions, including storm sewer network modelling, creek naturalization and rehabilitation projects, low-impact development (LID) pilot projects, park-integrated stormwater facilities, erosion restoration, and enhanced maintenance of existing infrastructure. The 2026 ISWMP update will build on the 2016 ISWMP and respond to changes in environmental conditions, infrastructure needs, and technical capabilities. More frequent and intense rainfall, continued development within a built-out urban system, and advances in data and modelling support the need for a more refined understanding of system performance, risk and service gaps. The scope of the 2026 ISWMP update consists of the following tasks:Background Review and Assessment of 2016 ISWMP Outcomes1D/2D Hydraulic ModellingIntegration of Social Vulnerability Assessment to Prioritize Capacity-Based OpportunitiesIdentify and Prioritize Condition-Based OpportunitiesDevelop and Evaluate AlternativesReview and Update Stormwater PolicyCommunications and Engagement