Within PWD Development Services, the Post‑Construction Stormwater Inspections program is responsible for inspecting stormwater management practices (SMPs) on private land to ensure property owner maintenance and the long-term functionality of the SMP.
SMPs are engineering systems that are used to clean and reduce the speed at which stormwater runoff leaves a property. This includes systems such as bioinfiltration/bioretention/rain gardens, subsurface infiltration basins, porous pavement, green /blue roofs, and media filtration devices within a site’s plumbing.
All properties where SMPs were installed to comply with regulatory requirements, or to receive a credit on the monthly water bill, are responsible for maintaining those SMPs. For development projects that trigger the PWD Stormwater Regulations, an Operations and Maintenance Agreement is recorded to the deed of the property to notify future owners of their responsibility to preserve and maintain their SMPs and site configuration. Property owners who are intending to make modifications to site configuration or SMPs must contact PWD Private Development Services before making any modifications.
Maintenance Guidance
Did you know that SMPs require regular maintenance?
PWD has maintenance fact sheets for each SMP type to help guide you. PWD also has an example SMP Maintenance Guide available for reference. The SMP Maintenance Guide is created by the design professional and will be unique to each project. It will be used as a reference for future property owners to ensure successful maintenance of the site and systems.
An SMP Maintenance Guide must be submitted for each project and must be accompanied by a Site Map and a separate Maintenance Schedule Form for each SMP to allow the owner to track all maintenance activities for their site. SMP Maintenance Guide instructions are available on the first page of the SMP Maintenance Guide to guide you through the creation of these items.
Some SMPs, such as porous pavement and subsurface systems, require special equipment and/or training to maintain. If you are unsure who to contact for maintenance services, PWD offers a list of local contractors that perform this work. There may be other qualified contractors who can help as well.
PWD Post‑Construction Inspections
PWD periodically inspects properties to check the functionality and maintenance of the SMPs. PWD will contact the property owner of record to schedule these inspections. After inspection, PWD will provide the property with a report detailing the results of our visit and identifying any SMPs or features requiring maintenance or corrective action. PWD will work with the property to resolve any issues identified in the report.
Need help?
See Chapter 6: Post‑Construction and Operations and Maintenance Guidance of the Philadelphia Stormwater Management Guidance Manual for more information.
Contact the Post‑Construction Inspection program at PWD.PlanReview@phila.gov.