Questions and Answers About Maintenance Inspections
When
will an inspection take place?
Inspections take place annually. Staff also make spot checks
during and after storm events.
How
do I locate my stormwater facilities?
If it's raining, watch where the water flows from your
neighborhood road into a street grate (storm drain). Underneath
the grate is a conveyance system that either leads directly to a
river or stream, to another area to be infiltrated into the
ground. Dry stormwater ponds look like shallow bowls in the
land, while wet ponds look more like a traditional water pond.
Swales look like wide, shallow, grass-lined ditches along the
side of the road. Stormwater facilities vary from
neighborhood to neighborhood.
Click here
for a PDF that will help you identify facilities.
What
will happen on the day of an inspection?
On the day of the inspection, the inspector will do a visual
check of the stormwater facilities to ensure they are working
properly. A follow-up letter will be sent to you if corrections
need to be made.
Which
parts of the system will be inspected?
The inspector looks at catch basins, storm drain inlets, flow
control structures, detention ponds, tanks, vaults, pumps,
treatment systems, and oil/water separators.
What
does the inspector look for?
High sediment levels, missing or broken components, drainage problems,
and invasive and noxious vegetation.
Removing excessive sediment and vegetation is the most common maintenance
need. When a catch basin or flow control structure gets too full on a
privately owned road, it stops functioning and it is time for the
property owner to clean it out (county-owned roads and right-of-ways are
Thurston County's responsibility).
Does
the inspector need to get inside a building?
In most cases, no. The exception is if the system is located in
a parking garage or basement of a building or behind a secured
area. (This will be rare in residential neighborhoods, and is
more likely in business establishments.) Your inspector may
contact you to gain access to the facility.
Also, you may be contacted if your stormwater pond is located
inside a locked fence.
How
will I find out the results of the inspection?
You will be sent a follow-up letter if some maintenance or
repair is needed.
I
received a letter saying that our stormwater facilities need to be
maintained or repaired. What should I do?
Within 30 days of receiving a follow-up letter from the
inspector, you are required to send a "maintenance log" back to
Thurston County that explains whether the problems have been
fixed and, if not, when the repairs are scheduled.
Click here for a maintenance log for
stormwater ponds. Click here for a
maintenance log for swales. If you need help, or more time,
contact Cathe Linn at
(360)
867-2095 or e-mail
linnca@co.thurston.wa.us.
If Thurston
County does not receive your maintenance log after 30 days, you
will receive a reminder postcard in the mail.
As the property owner, you are responsible for any corrections
needed to comply with the Thurston County code.
What
is the cost of repairs?
Prices vary, depending on the extent of the repair or
maintenance needed, how easy it is to access the site, and the
amount of material to be disposed.
You may choose to do the work yourself, or to hire a contractor.
This is a competitive field and it is often possible to realize
substantial savings by soliciting at least three competitive
bids. Click here for more advice on working with contractors.
How
long do I have to fix the problem?
You typically have at least two months. If you need more time,
please contact Cathe Linn at
(360)
867-2095 or e-mail
linnca@co.thurston.wa.us.
May
I do the repairs myself?
Many of the repairs can be accomplished with a few helpful
neighbors. Examples include removing vegetation from stormwater
inlet/outlet pipes, mowing grass in stormwater ponds, and
removing garbage or yard debris from drainage areas. You may be
able to lift the grate/lid or a catch basin or drywell to remove
sediment, but be prepared to remove heavy loads of sediment.
Also, never prop the lid where it can fall on your hands or
body. Any repairs that involve crawling into a small,
confined space should be left to a professional.
How
often should I check my stormwater facilities?
Monthly from November through April
Once in late summer (preferably September)
After any major storm (1-inch within 24 hours)
Please do not
hesitate to call Thurston County if you need technical
assistance, especially if you are unsure whether a situation you
have discovered may be a problem. The contact is
Cathe Linn at
(360)
867-2095 or
linnca@co.thurston.wa.us.
Portions of
the above text courtesy of City of Seattle.
