In 1987, the federal Clean Water Act was amended to authorize a national program of comprehensive stormwater pollution controls for municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s). In 1993, this led to Wisconsin’s amendment of the Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) to classify stormwater as a “point source,” which in turn led to the state requiring stormwater management associated with land-disturbing construction activities. The stormwater management facilities constructed during the initial implementation of the WPDES are now approaching 30 years old, underscoring the critical need for routine maintenance to extend their functional lifespan.
Maintenance Agreements
Routine maintenance of stormwater management facilities is essential from the onset to ensure they function as designed and permitted. To enforce this maintenance, a long-term maintenance agreement is required. This agreement must incorporate the following elements:
- Identification of the responsible party for long-term maintenance of the facilities
- A schedule for regular maintenance of each aspect of the facility
- Authorization for the administering authority to conduct inspections at the facility
- Maintenance of public records documenting site inspections
- Notification to the responsible party of potential required corrective actions
- Authorization for the administering authority to perform corrective actions, if the responsible party fails to do so
The maintenance agreement must also include a maintenance plan, schedule, and checklist for the responsible party to follow. Common maintenance measures include:
- Removal of debris
- Removal of sediment
- Routine mowing and trimming of vegetation
- Repair of eroded embankments
- Unclogging of peak flow restrictors
- Repair of damaged infrastructure such as:
– Outlet pipes
– End sections
– Stand pipes
– Spillways
Following the completion of corrective actions, it’s best practice to certify that the facility continues to meet permit requirements. This certification should be conducted by the engineer of record responsible for the original permitting of the facility.
raSmith is Available to Assist
Stormwater management facilities provide significant community benefits by mitigating the impacts of development on downstream water resources. These benefits include a reduction in the potential for flooding and the negative impact on water quality caused by land development. raSmith offers experienced personnel to provide civil engineering services for preparing long-term maintenance agreements and conducting ongoing inspections of stormwater management facilities. We also conduct bathymetric surveys of wet detention ponds to determine if dredging is necessary and prepare pond certifications to ensure the ponds are functioning as designed and permitted. Contact us today to see how we can best serve you on your next project.
