Stormwater and green infrastructure systems, like ponds, rain gardens, green roofs, and permeable pavements, play a vital role in reducing flood risk and filtering pollutants before they reach local streams and creeks. However, to perform effectively, these systems require consistent maintenance, especially during the summer months.
In the Mid-Atlantic region, summer brings some of the heaviest rainfall of the year. Without proper maintenance, these wet weather events can overwhelm systems that are clogged, overgrown, or otherwise neglected, leading to costly repairs and environmental damage.
This blog explores everything you need to do to maintain your stormwater or green infrastructure facilities between June and September. Requirements differ at this time of year compared to other seasons.
Inspect and Maintain Parking Lot Drainage Systems
Parking lots on commercial properties often accumulate sediment, oil, trash, and other pollutants that get washed into storm drains during summer storms. If these systems are clogged or damaged, they can overflow, cause localized flooding, or discharge pollutants into nearby waterways.
Property and facilities managers should take time during the summer to check their catch basins, swales, and drainage infrastructure to make sure they’re not blocked by debris, especially after storms.
If you see oil spots or fluid leaks, clean them up with absorbent materials instead of rinsing them into the storm drain. Keeping your drains clean helps prevent flooding and keeps your stormwater system working as it should.
Avoid Using Fertilizer
Another way to maintain your stormwater BMPs during the summer is to minimize fertilizer use. Fertilizer can help make your property’s plants grow stronger and faster, but it can also pollute nearby water sources when captured in stormwater runoff.
If you want to use fertilizer, leave a buffer between fertilized areas and elements of your stormwater drainage system. Leaving a space or creating a barrier, such as a rock bed, between grassed areas and paved surfaces can help prevent algae blooms in local water sources and damage to infrastructure.
Mow Pond Dam Embankments
If you have pond dam embankments, summer is a good time to mow them.
However, don’t get overzealous. Raise your mower height to at least three inches. This helps maintain a vegetative barrier, which allows grass to absorb more moisture.
Cutting vegetation too short can reduce infiltration and increase the risk of pond overfilling, especially in urban environments.
Maintain Infiltration Facilities
Maintaining infiltration facilities is also highly recommended in the summer. That’s because of the fair weather and easier site access.
If your property has an infiltration trench, inspect it for sediment buildup. You may need to remove the top 6 to 12 inches of gravel and replace any clogged filter fabric to restore proper infiltration capacity. This helps ensure the system can handle incoming rainfall in the months ahead.
For permeable paving systems, use specialized vacuum equipment to remove sediment and debris that may block infiltration. Regular vacuuming is key to keeping these surfaces functional and preventing surface runoff. You may need to call on a qualified contractor with JetVac equipment to properly vacuum the sediment.
Maintain Your Vegetated Facilities
The summer is also an opportunity to maintain your vegetated facilities. Again, preparing these in the warmer months will enable them to handle rain, snow, and floodwater when they arrive later in the year.
If you have a bioretention facility, remove any sediment and replace it with new soil. Add filter media where necessary in drier weather.
Repair leaks and replenish any lost soil or plants, as necessary, on vegetated rooftops. Water plants if it is hot weather, and install an irrigation system if you expect regular droughts in years to come.
Finally, check your vegetated swale. Inspect riprap, wood, or earth dams and remove any sediment. If you notice bare patches, reseed the area. Remove dead plants if necessary.
The local government may pay for maintenance if the vegetated swale is next to a highway right-of-way. You should contact your local authorities to find out what grants are available.
Remove Plants And Debris After Storms
Another excellent way to maintain your stormwater and green infrastructure facilities is to remove plant debris after storms. Twigs, branches, and leaves can clog outflow structures, preventing them from doing their job.
Make it a habit to inspect your facilities shortly after each storm. Clear away any visible plant matter from swales, bioretention areas, outflow structures, and pond edges. Be especially mindful of debris that may be blocking culverts or storm drain inlets.
Regular cleanup not only helps the system perform better, but also keeps your site looking well-maintained and professional.
Repair Any Leaks Or Cracks In Your Pipes, Valves, Or Other Components
Finally, repairing leaks and cracks in your stormwater infrastructure is something else you should be doing to maintain your facilities in the summer. Damage to the infrastructure makes it less effective at channeling water or storing it in the right location.
Proper stormwater maintenance makes your facilities more effective and helps them last longer. It also protects the environment and ensures that they work well when you most need them in the fall and winter. Summer weather and lower rainfall make it the perfect time to inspect your equipment and carry out repairs.
Need Help with Summer Stormwater Maintenance?
If you’re a property manager, facilities professional, or developer, maintaining your stormwater or green infrastructure system can be a challenge, especially during the summer months. Whether you need routine upkeep or more comprehensive repairs, Muller, Inc. is here to help.
Our team has decades of experience working with commercial and industrial properties across the Mid-Atlantic region. From clearing blocked outflow structures to restoring infiltration systems, we provide expert-level service to keep your stormwater infrastructure functioning properly and in compliance. Request a proposal via our website or call us at 703-560-4040.