News
County Begins Inspections of Private Stormwater Ponds
Mar 22, 2006 by Cail Hammons
Property owners responsible for pond upkeep
County staff are now inspecting privately owned stormwater management facilities like detention and retention ponds.
These new inspections are part of the county’s stormwater management program required by the state and federal governments.
Stormwater ponds hold stormwater runoff after a rain event to prevent downstream flooding. When a pond is functioning properly, the water slowly discharges over an extended period of time.
The county has required the ponds on new development projects since 1990. In many cases little has been done to maintain these stormwater ponds since they were built.
“In the past, we didn’t have the manpower to go out and check privately owned ponds to make sure that they were still functioning properly,” explains Jason Peek engineering administrator in the department of Transportation and Public Works.
Revenue raised by the county’s new stormwater utility fee has allowed for funding to hire an additional staff member. A new county inspector position is dedicated to inspecting the construction and maintenance of stormwater facilities.
Common problems with neglected stormwater ponds include overgrown outlet structures, deteriorating banks, and accumulation of litter or debris. These problems can keep the pond from functioning properly during a rain event.
“I have seen ponds where neglected maintenance caused extensive problems later on,” explains Josh Black, the county’s new stormwater inspector. Ponds in deteriorated conditions may not provide the flood protection that they were designed to offer.
Unmanaged stormwater ponds also pose a threat to local waters. “Without controlling the volume and velocity of stormwater through the use of functioning stormwater controls, streams are susceptible to increased erosion and over the bank flooding,” explains Black.
County inspectors will contact property owners who have stormwater ponds that are in need of maintenance. The county will provide a detailed list of the actions needed to bring the pond back up to design standards. Work and materials needed to repair the stormwater ponds are the responsibility of the property owner.
Property owners who want more information about stormwater pond maintenance can call the Transportation and Public Works department at (706) 613-3440 or visit the stormwater program website at www.accstormwater.com.
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Media Contact: Cail Hammons (706) 613-3440 ext. 384
Tagged: pond upkeep, stormwater management facilities, retention ponds
