Stormwater Management Best Practices for Commercial Properties

Implementing stormwater management best practices is crucial for maintaining the integrity, safety, and sustainability of commercial properties. In areas like the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia), where heavy rainfall is common, property managers must be proactive to prevent flooding, erosion, and pollution caused by uncontrolled runoff.

When commercial property managers employ proper stormwater management practices, it ensures compliance with local regulations and protects property values, reduces liability, and supports environmental sustainability. This blog outlines the best practices commercial property managers should follow to manage stormwater effectively.

Contact iSTORMWATER to discuss your property’s specific stormwater requirements or maintenance plan. (410) 231-3455

Understand the Local Regulations

Before implementing any stormwater management practices, it is essential to understand the local regulations that apply to your property. In the DMV region, stormwater management is regulated at both state and municipal levels, with specific requirements for different types of commercial properties. These regulations often mandate measures to reduce stormwater runoff and improve water quality, including the use of Best Management Practices (BMPs).

For example, in Maryland, the Department of the Environment enforces the state’s stormwater management laws, while Virginia and DC have similar agencies overseeing compliance.

Property managers should familiarize themselves with these regulations to ensure that any stormwater systems are compliant and regularly inspected to avoid fines or legal consequences.

Know Your Stormwater Facilities and Keep Accurate Records

A key aspect of effective stormwater management is understanding the specific stormwater infrastructure present on your property. Whether it’s retention ponds, bioswales, or underground drainage systems, property managers must have a thorough understanding of all stormwater facilities. This knowledge is critical for both day-to-day operations and during emergency situations like heavy storms.

Here are some tips on managing your stormwater facilities:

Keep Detailed Drawings and Maps

Ensure you have up-to-date drawings or blueprints that clearly show the location and design of all stormwater facilities on your property. These should include details like drain locations, pipe layouts, and the size and capacity of detention or retention ponds. These records are essential when planning repairs, upgrades, or new developments, and can be a lifesaver during inspections or maintenance.

Maintain Records of Past Maintenance and Inspections

Maintenance logs and inspection records provide crucial insights into the health of your stormwater systems. By keeping accurate records, you can identify recurring issues, understand system performance over time, and ensure that regular maintenance is carried out according to schedule. In addition, these records can demonstrate compliance with local regulations, which often require routine inspections.

Have a Stormwater Management Plan (SMP)

This comprehensive document outlines how stormwater will be managed on the property, including the operation, maintenance, and eventual upgrade of stormwater facilities. A well-documented SMP ensures that you and your team are prepared to handle routine operations and unexpected challenges.

By keeping detailed drawings, maintenance records, and a solid stormwater management plan, you’ll be able to quickly identify issues, take appropriate action, and avoid costly mistakes. Having this information on hand also makes it easier to work with contractors, service providers, and regulatory agencies to ensure compliance and optimal system performance.

Use Green Infrastructure

One of the most effective ways to manage stormwater on commercial properties is to incorporate green infrastructure. This approach focuses on mimicking the natural water cycle by capturing, storing, and slowly releasing stormwater. Green infrastructure solutions include:

Permeable Pavement

Traditional concrete and asphalt surfaces are impermeable, causing stormwater to run off quickly, overwhelming drainage systems. Permeable pavements allow water to seep through the surface, reducing runoff and improving infiltration.

Rain Gardens

Rain gardens, also called bioretention facilities, are shallow, planted depressions are designed to capture and filter stormwater. They often have a drain under them that takes filtered runoff and directs it away from the facility. Rain gardens are ideal for parking lots, sidewalks, or landscaped areas.

Green Roofs

Installing vegetation on rooftops can absorb rainfall, reducing runoff and cooling the building. Green roofs are especially effective for commercial buildings with large, flat roofs.

Bioswales

Vegetated channels that filter runoff as it moves toward storm drains, bioswales slow the flow of water, which helps to prevent erosion.
These green infrastructure techniques not only manage stormwater but also enhance the aesthetic value of the property, contributing to a healthier, more attractive environment.

Regular Inspection and Maintenance of Stormwater Systems

Installing stormwater management systems is only part of the solution; regular maintenance is key to ensuring they function properly.

Property managers should create a routine inspection schedule to assess stormwater infrastructure like detention ponds, drains, and filtration systems.

Clear Debris from Storm Drains

Blocked storm drains can lead to localized flooding and water damage. Regularly cleaning leaves, trash, and other debris from drains ensures that stormwater can flow freely.

Inspect Detention Basins and Ponds

Detention basins and ponds temporarily hold stormwater and release it slowly. Over time, these basins can become clogged with sediment or overgrown with vegetation, reducing their capacity. Routine cleaning and vegetation control are necessary to maintain their effectiveness.

Check Permeable Pavement for Clogging

Permeable pavements can become clogged with dirt and debris, which reduces their ability to absorb water. Regular sweeping or vacuuming is recommended to keep them functioning optimally.

Implement Low Impact Development (LID) Practices

Low Impact Development (LID) is a sustainable land planning and engineering approach that seeks to manage stormwater runoff at its source. LID strategies aim to preserve or recreate natural landscape features, allowing water to infiltrate and be filtered by the soil. LID practices include:

Minimizing Impervious Surfaces

By reducing the amount of hard, impervious surfaces like parking lots and large rooftops, you can significantly decrease the amount of stormwater runoff. Opt for smaller paved areas or replace hardscaping with permeable alternatives.

Preserving Natural Landscapes

Whenever possible, retain existing vegetation and natural land features that help absorb stormwater. Trees, shrubs, and grasslands play a vital role in managing water flow and improving water quality.

Adopt Water Quality Measures

In addition to controlling the volume of stormwater runoff, property managers should prioritize improving water quality. Pollutants such as oils, chemicals, and sediments can be carried by stormwater into local water bodies, posing environmental and health risks. BMPs for water quality include:

Stormwater Filters

Installing filters in storm drains can capture pollutants like oil, grease, and trash before they enter the stormwater system.

There are many different types of filtration systems and often specifically selected by the engineer based on the use of the property, the amount of impervious surface, and the drainage needs. From StormFilters to BaySavers, these filters require regular maintenance and need to be replaced when they are no longer effectively filtering the runoff water.

Sediment Control

Use silt fences, sediment basins, and erosion control blankets to prevent sediment from being washed into waterways during construction or landscaping projects.

Vegetative Buffers

Planting vegetative buffers around parking lots, roadways, and buildings helps to filter runoff before it reaches stormwater systems. Native plants are especially effective because they require less maintenance and are better adapted to local conditions.

Stormwater management is a critical aspect of maintaining commercial properties, particularly in regions prone to heavy rainfall, like the DMV. By implementing these best practices—complying with local regulations, understanding stormwater infrastructure, utilizing green infrastructure, maintaining stormwater systems, applying LID principles, and focusing on water quality—property managers can reduce flooding risks, improve sustainability, and enhance the overall value of their properties.

Working with a specialized stormwater management company like iSTORMWATER ensures that your property remains compliant, efficient, and environmentally responsible.

Message the iSTORMWATER team for a free consultation or give us a call at (410) 231-3455 to discuss your property’s stormwater challenges.