Inspections and maintenance of stormwater management facilities, often referred to as best management practices (BMPs), are necessary to ensure the facility functions as designed and has a positive impact on local water quality.

All new construction and redevelopment sites in the SEMSWA service area are required to provide stormwater controls to address higher runoff volumes and pollutant loads associated with an increase in impervious surfaces once the project is completed. Stormwater management facilities are physical structures designed to reduce the amount of pollution generated by stormwater runoff and attenuate runoff volumes. However, the long-term benefits of stormwater management facilities are attained only when they are maintained regularly. Unmaintained BMPs can lead to flooding, poor water quality, and streambank erosion in our creeks and rivers. 

When maintaining your BMP, remember that it is important to work with your facility maintenance professional to ensure that activities do not contribute pollutants to your property. This includes the proper use of fertilizers or deicers, proper disposal/recycling of chemical, and landscaping debris management. 

SEMSWA requires that owners inspect and maintain their stormwater management facilities. Please see our Water Quality Facilities Compliance and Maintenance Program Page for more information. 

Unsure if you have a BMP on your site? Please see our Types of Stormwater Management Facilities document to identify your stormwater management facility, or Detention Pond Maintenance document for specifics on detention pond maintenance.