Complete Stormwater Maintenance Guide for Property Managers

As a property manager in DC, Maryland, or Virginia, ensuring the longevity and efficiency of your property’s infrastructure is an important part of your job.

A crucial component that often goes unnoticed until a violation notice arrives or a serious issue occurs is the stormwater management systems on your property. These systems are vital for managing rainwater runoff from the impermeable surfaces of your property, preventing flooding, erosion, and water pollution.

Yes… if your property has a roof, sidewalk, parking lot or other impermeable surface, it probably has one of these systems.

Effective stormwater system maintenance not only protects your property from potential water damage but also ensures compliance with local regulations and promotes environmental sustainability. As a property manager, it’s your responsibility to make sure your stormwater systems are functioning properly and that you are inspecting and maintaining the systems in accordance with local laws.

Understanding Stormwater System Maintenance

Properties built after the late ’70s are required to have Best Management Practice (BMP) systems to manage runoff, in compliance with the Clean Water Act Amendments. The regulations for the Chesapeake Bay area are particularly important given the sensitivity of this vital estuary.

These BMPs can include catch basins, storm drains, sand filters, retention and detention ponds, green infrastructure like bioretention facilities and permeable pavements, and traditional pipes and culverts, among other systems.

Each system is designed based on the property’s stormwater needs and expected runoff volume. Regular maintenance of the designed stormwater management system is crucial to ensure the system functions properly and to prevent any unexpected issues.

These stormwater systems perform a number of tasks. Not only do they run stormwater away from your building and prevent erosion, but they also help filter pollutants picked up as the water flows through parking lots or other impermeable surfaces before hitting local waterways.

Importance of Regular Stormwater Inspections & Maintenance for Property Managers

Most BMPs need a yearly check-up to make sure everything’s running smoothly and getting the TLC it needs. Local authorities usually ask for proof of these inspections and services every three years, and they’ll likely pop by to check things out themselves around the same time.

The good news? Regular inspections and maintenance costs way less than last-minute fixes or serious repairs. By budgeting for these inspections and setting aside funds for regular upkeep, property managers can dodge surprise expenses and keep their BMPs in top shape.

That’s where companies like iSTORMWATER come in. They’re pros at checking out and fixing up:

• Structural integrity
• Vegetation health
• Erosion issues
• Excessive sediment
• Functionality
• Contamination hazards
• Warning signs of major issues
• Potential compliance issues

Stormwater System Maintenance Tips for Property Managers

There are a number of things you and your maintenance team can do to prevent small stormwater issues from becoming big ones. Remember that you should, at minimum, have a basic understanding of the aboveground and underground stormwater systems on your property. You should also…

• Find a trusted stormwater contractor like iSTORMWATER for reliable inspection, maintenance, and repair services
• Stick with a schedule outlined in your maintenance plan
• Don’t wait to call your stormwater service provider if you see something that doesn’t look right
• Make sure you understand the minimum maintenance and inspection requirements of your property’s specific stormwater system

Implementing a Stormwater Maintenance Plan

Sticking to a solid stormwater maintenance plan that fits your property’s needs is a big part of a property manager’s gig. Sure, builders and engineers often hand over detailed drawings and maintenance tips, but sometimes, you’ve got to roll up your sleeves and start with a basic inspection to see what’s really going on and get to know the facilities on your property.

The team at iSTORMWATER can help you identify and evaluate all of the BMPs on your property and assess their current state. From aboveground systems that you can see along your parking lots to stormwater vaults hiding underground, you need to know exactly what systems you have in place and how to care for them.

The team will then work with you to create a detailed maintenance schedule that outlines regular inspection and cleaning activities. This schedule keeps your stormwater system in tip-top shape and ensures you document every step – an important task for demonstrating compliance with local regulations.

Be Proactive – Your Property Depends on It

When property managers are proactive with stormwater management, they can protect their property, keep costs in check, do their part for the environment, avoid tenant inconveniences, and steer clear of expensive fines and repairs.

Schedule a consultation with our stormwater management gurus to inspect your property’s BMPs.

iSTORMWATER proudly services clients in DC, Maryland, and Virginia with inspection, maintenance, and repair services for aboveground and belowground stormwater management systems.

Give us a call at (410) 231-3455 to talk about your property.