Spring Cleanup Tips for Stormwater Systems

A well-designed stormwater system handles stormwater runoff with ease. Winter, in particular, puts stormwater systems to the test. Now that the weather is warming up, it is time to follow some quick and easy spring cleanup tips for stormwater system efficiency for the months to come.

Start a New Season With Good Stormwater Management Practices

Spring is an excellent time to combine annual cleaning with stormwater system maintenance to ensure your system stays compliant and operates effectively.

As landscaping at your property starts again, keep grass clippings and other yard waste out of storm drains. It sounds like a small thing, but yard waste significantly contributes to system blockages and flooding.

You may need to meet with your landscaper to reiterate this policy. However, doing so will prevent flooding on your property and excessive pollutants from entering the municipal stormwater systems and, eventually, lakes, rivers, and the Puget Sound.

Before You Contract for Repairs, Upgrades, or Maintenance, Start With an Inspection

A stormwater system inspection is the jumping-off point for any cleanup steps you might take. Experts in stormwater management practices will identify wear and problems you should address. Following stormwater maintenance suggestions protects local groundwater and prevents pollutants from entering local lakes or rivers. It ensures that your facility does not adversely affect water quality.

High-quality inspections allow you to make informed decisions.

• Camera scoping is ideal for inspecting the inside of pipes to find clogs, cracks, and other problems.
• Visual inspections of storm drains and related infrastructure pinpoint weak points in the system.
• A written report based on the inspection gives you the facts you need to make maintenance decisions.

Interestingly, this type of inspection also points out the policies that work well. If you went through a similar process last year, you can gauge the effectiveness of your changes.

Update Your Facility's Storm Drain Operation and Maintenance Plan

Based on the inspection report and your experience with the system's operation during the fall and winter, it may be a good time to upgrade your operation and maintenance plan. For example, increasing the frequency of storm drain inspections or cleanings may be necessary if you notice slow-moving or standing water after periods of rain. If you do not have a plan, our spring cleanup tips include creating one. It puts activities such as sediment and debris removal and inlet cleaning on a schedule.

Top Four Spring Cleanup Tips

So far, we have addressed landscaping, a system inspection, and the storm drain operation and maintenance plan. These are a must during spring. Another set of spring cleanup tips for stormwater system efficiency is more hands-on. The good news is that it may not have to be your hands that do the work.

1. Catch basin cleaning. There is likely a lot of debris and trash in these basins. Also, sediment will have built up. Both need to be removed. Spring is an excellent time to do so. If you do not address them, the sediment and debris buildup will decrease the basin's effectiveness, and you will likely look at flooding in the coming months.

2. Erosion control. How are your silt fences and wattles doing? If they are damaged, now is the time to fix them. If you have not used any, consider beginning to do so. If you have experienced flooding, erosion may be to blame. Discuss your thoughts with the experts during the inspection for more information.

3. Pipe jetting. Intrusive tree roots and trash quickly clog your stormwater system's pipes. You may not even realize the problem until your property is flooded. Pipe jetting removes clogs from conveyance lines and returns them to normal operation. Discuss this service with an expert, as the frequency depends on your property’s needs.

4. Bioswale remediation. Bioswales play a significant role in collecting runoff and filtering out pollutants. While it is a passive structure, bioswales still need occasional cleanup, and spring is a good time to do so. Besides sediment removal, vegetation management is likely needed.

The Danger of Waiting Too Long

It is tempting to look at winter's problems and be glad they are over. However, spring is the ideal time to deal with any problems you observed over the last year. Moreover, it prepares your system for the next rainy season. Stormwater problems tend to worsen over time, and the sooner they can be addressed, the better.

How to Meet the Objectives of Your Spring Cleaning List

Storm drain maintenance and cleaning are tough to handle alone, and your facility's maintenance staff may not have the tools to resolve them. Expert stormwater vault maintenance, pipe jetting, and bioswale remediation require specialists with the right tools and know-how.

CatchAll Environmental is the trusted Seattle storm drain cleaning authority for all system maintenance needs. Let's schedule an inspection and take it from there!