Stormwater Management Ponds in MD, VA & DC

Stormwater runoff is a significant source of water pollution in urban areas. Plus, runoff occurs in greater amounts where concrete and asphalt cover large areas of the ground. Stormwater ponds help mitigate both problems, serving as a treatment basin for contaminant removal and a collection basin for reduced flooding.

Neglected stormwater ponds are prone to discharging pollutants downstream, increasing the risk of flooding, threatening the stability of downstream channels, and causing an aesthetic nuisance. On the other hand, proper maintenance ensures the safety, effectiveness, and longevity of a stormwater pond.

Routine Preventive Maintenance

• Inspections: Stormwater pond inspections should be performed as part of an overall stormwater management plan. They should be conducted quarterly and within 24 hours of every storm event that generates more than 1 inch of rain. Inspectors should come with a detailed checklist of things to look for after rainfall, including obstructions, trash accumulation, erosion, and sedimentation.
• Vegetation management: Regular mowing helps prevent erosion and maintains good aesthetics around the stormwater pond. Fertilizer and pesticide use should be minimized to avoid downstream pollution.
• Debris and litter removal: Trash is a common cause of obstructions at the inlet, outlet, and orifice. To prevent this, general trash pickup should occur during every inspection and maintenance visit.
• Mechanical equipment maintenance: Check valves, pumps, fence gates, locks, and mechanical components during periodic inspections.
• Structural component check: Inspect the outlet, inlet, orifice, trash rack, and trickle channel for signs of wear and tear.

Non-Routine Corrective Maintenance

• Bank stabilization: Vegetated areas must sustain adequate ground cover to ensure proper runoff infiltration and effective contaminant filtering. If plants die, the area must be replanted and stabilized immediately.
• Sediment removal: Approximately once every six months, accumulated sediment must be removed from the bottom of the outlet structure. During this process, pond depths should also be checked at several points. If accumulated sediment has decreased the pond’s original design depth by more than 25%, it should be removed.
• Structural repair and replacement: Eventually, the structural components of a stormwater pond will need to be repaired or replaced. Do this when necessary to keep the pond in good operating condition.

iSTORMWATER provides reliable, comprehensive stormwater pond maintenance services throughout Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. Call us at (443) 699-2828 or contact us online to learn more.

Benefits of Stormwater Pond Maintenance

Maintenance will always be needed for stormwater ponds. Failure to keep up with requirements could create a false sense of security regarding the ability of a pond to store stormwater runoff and remove pollutants effectively. The benefits of keeping up with preventive and corrective stormwater pond maintenance include:

• Maintain good water quality downstream
• Decrease the risk of flooding
• Ensure the stability of downstream channels
• Prevent unpleasant odors, algae blooms, and nuisance insects
• Sustain an attractive, well-kept area

To learn more about the benefits of stormwater pond maintenance, please contact iSTORMWATER online or call (443) 699-2828.

Schedule Stormwater Pond Maintenance in MD, VA & DC

If you’re responsible for assuring the ongoing operation of a stormwater pond on your property, hand over the responsibility to iSTORMWATER. We have over 20 years of industry experience and offer a satisfaction guarantee for your peace of mind.

Call us at (443) 699-2828 or contact us online to schedule stormwater pond maintenance in the MD, VA, and DC area.

Frequently Asked Questions About Stormwater Management

How Polluted is Stormwater Runoff?

Stormwater runoff can contain a wide range of pollutants. These include fertilizers, oils, dirt, trash, toxic metals, and other chemicals that can devastate flora and fauna within ponds.

What Are the Legal Requirements for Managing Stormwater Runoff?

The Clean Water Act requires enterprises to control runoff from construction sites and completed structures. This includes implementing reasonable measures to prevent the flow of polluted runoff into the area’s water supply.

Are City Agencies Responsible for Stormwater Runoff on Private Property?

No, cities are only responsible for maintaining drainage systems, catch basins, ponds, etc., that are within the public right of way or on land owned by the city. Runoff that occurs on private property is the responsibility of the property owner.

How Can Erosion Around the Stormwater Pond Be Controlled?

Erosion is a serious problem around stormwater ponds. Controlling it requires applying a combination of strategies, including the planting of native foliage, proper grading of the pond bank, and installation of stone and other waterproof materials designed to reduce the rate of erosion.

How Often Should a Stormwater Pond Be Inspected?

At a minimum, stormwater ponds should be inspected every quarter. They should also be inspected every time a storm produces more than 1 inch of rainfall.

Can Corrective Measures Help Maintain a Stormwater Pond?

Ponds require regular maintenance that includes removing sediment to ensure the pond remains at the proper depth, as well as repairing any structural elements, including valves, pumps, gates, and other mechanical elements required for efficient operation.

How Long Does Water Remain Within a Stormwater Pond?

Most ponds are designed to hold stormwater for between 48-72 hours. This allows the pollution within the water to settle before the water is discharged from the pond into streams, rivers, etc.

We invite you to contact iSTORMWATER at (443) 699-2828 for more information about stormwater management on your property. It’s our pleasure to tell you how we can help keep your shopping mall, office complex, hotel, or another facility in Washington, DC, Maryland, or Virginia safe and compliant with all applicable regulations.