Stormwater Facility Maintenance

Maintenance of a stormwater facility needs to be performed regularly to ensure proper function, including

Debris Removal

• Debris consisting of leaves, dead vegetation, branches, paper, trash, and other materials that may accumulate within the stormwater area must be removed regularly.
• Accumulation usually occurs at the outlet structure, low flow channels, and the inlet and outfall sites.
• The debris must be disposed of in an appropriate location but never within the vicinity of the stormwater management facility.

Erosion, Animal Burrows, and Woody Vegetation

• All eroded areas and animal burrows must be filled, compacted, and stabilized with reinforced erosion control products or turf reinforcing mats, reseeded, and replanted.
• Woody vegetation should be removed from all slopes and embankments.

Grass Mowing and Trimming

• To minimize erosion, grass within the stormwater area that is not underwater shall be mowed and trimmed to a minimum height of three inches and a maximum height of eight inches.
• Clippings shall be either disposed of in an appropriate location or reduced to fine mulch and distributed over the grassed area. Disposal of clippings cannot be within the vicinity of the stormwater management facility.
• A 10-foot-wide access path must be maintained around the perimeter of the facility and to all structural components such as inlets, outfalls, and outlet structures.

Inspections

• All stormwater management facilities must be inspected by the maintenance organization in the spring and fall of every year and after heavy rainfall over two inches.

Maintenance Logs

• A stormwater management facility inspection and maintenance log must be maintained by the maintenance organization.
  • SWM BMP Maintenance and Inspection Log (PDF)
  • SWM Pond Maintenance and Inspection Log (PDF)
  • 2022 GreenRoof SWM Maintenance and Inspection Log (PDF)
  • 2022 Sub-Surface SWM Maintenance and Inspection Log (PDF)
  • 2023 GreenRoof SWM Maintenance and Inspection Log (PDF)
  • 2023 Sub-Surface SWM Maintenance and Inspection Log (PDF)

Minor Sediment Removal

• The outlet structure, low flow channels, and headwall aprons must be kept clear of sediment at all times.
• If a forebay is provided, sediment should not accumulate in more than half of the structure.
• All sediment collected from the stormwater management facility area shall be disposed of in an appropriate location, but never within the vicinity of the stormwater management facility.

Organization Annual Registration

• The maintenance organization must register every year with the Department of Public Works.
• New Castle County Code Section 40.27.620 provides that maintenance organizations not registered with the Department of Public Works shall not be eligible for New Castle County financial assistance with major work of stormwater management facility clean-out and replacement of structural components.
• New Castle County Code also provides that the county will be responsible for major maintenance only if the maintenance organization has performed all required minor maintenance.
• To register your stormwater pond, visit Registration.