{"id":889,"date":"2023-02-22T17:13:41","date_gmt":"2023-02-22T22:13:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/core.loc\/development\/?page_id=179"},"modified":"2026-07-01T05:38:16","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T09:38:16","slug":"6-1-property-owner-inspections-and-maintenance","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/development\/stormwater-plan-review\/manual\/chapter-6\/6-1-property-owner-inspections-and-maintenance\/","title":{"rendered":"6.1 Property Owner Inspections and Maintenance"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Post construction, the property owner assumes responsibility for inspecting and maintaining all installed stormwater management practices (SMPs) and associated drainage areas in accordance with their Operations and Maintenance (O&amp;M) Agreement. Additionally, there may be other O&amp;M responsibilities from the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) Stormwater Regulations (Stormwater Regulations) (<a href=\"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/development\/stormwater-plan-review\/manual\/chapter-1\/1-2-stormwater-regulations\/\">Section&nbsp;1.2<\/a>), design criteria for Stormwater Retrofit projects that have received Stormwater Grant funding, and Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code requirements that apply. SMPs and associated drainage areas must be continually inspected and maintained to ensure the long-term functionality of the approved design. Property owners are expected to document the inspection and maintenance activity for each SMP. Maintenance and inspection records should be submitted when applying for Stormwater Credit renewals (<a href=\"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/development\/stormwater-plan-review\/manual\/chapter-6\/6-3-stormwater-credits\/\">Section&nbsp;6.3<\/a>). These records can also assist PWD staff during the Department\u2019s own periodic inspections. An SMP-specific and site-specific SMP Maintenance Guide, prepared by the designer and reviewed by PWD during the Post-Construction Stormwater Management Plan (PCSMP) Review Phase, should be provided to the property owner as a road map for the long-term upkeep of on-site SMPs. The Manual\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/development\/stormwater-plan-review\/manual\/appendices\/g-smp-maintenance-guide-documents\/\">Appendix&nbsp;G<\/a> includes a compiled SMP Maintenance Guide sample for reference, along with SMP Maintenance Schedule Form templates and related maintenance information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Operations and Maintenance Agreement<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>O&amp;M Agreements are created during the development phase of a project and recorded against the property\u2019s deed with the Philadelphia Department of Records. Accordingly, these Agreements remain tied to the land\u2014not the owner\u2014whenever the property is sold or otherwise conveyed. Thus, when a new owner acquires the property, they also assume all maintenance responsibilities outlined in the Agreement. PWD does not pursue legal action against property owners for projects that do not advance to construction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The property owner of record is bound by the O&amp;M Agreement and must maintain the SMPs so that they perform adequately and as designed. Furthermore, the Agreement requires that the property owner maintain the site in accordance with the Approved PCSMP and prohibits alterations, including the conversion of pervious areas to impervious cover, without authorization from PWD. In certain types of developments, a Homeowner\u2019s Association (HOA) or Condominium Association (COA) may assume maintenance responsibilities. In these cases, PWD recommends that all O&amp;M responsibilities associated with SMPs be incorporated into the legal declaration of the HOA or COA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Property owner inspections<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"keep-together\">As described in <a href=\"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/development\/stormwater-plan-review\/manual\/chapter-4\/4-0-introduction\/\">Chapter&nbsp;4<\/a>, SMPs consist of multiple components (e.g., inflow, conveyance, storage, outflow, vegetation, and so on). Each of these components must be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure proper functionality. Property owners, or those parties designated to conduct inspections on an owner\u2019s behalf, must have a strong working knowledge and understanding of each SMP and its critical design components prior to conducting inspections (<a href=\"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/development\/stormwater-plan-review\/manual\/chapter-4\/4-0-introduction\/\">Chapter&nbsp;4<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Frequent property owner SMP inspections are critical to identifying and remediating minor maintenance concerns before they potentially become major issues requiring costly repairs. Property owners should perform routine inspections at least four times per year, preferably at the close of each season, though additional inspections are recommended throughout the year\u2014particularly during and after large rain events\u2014to ensure that SMPs are functioning as designed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An inspection\u2019s primary purpose is to ensure the SMP is functioning correctly; if it is not, corrective actions must be identified to restore proper function. An optimally functioning SMP will allow water to freely enter each inflow point, collect within its storage areas, infiltrate into the soil, and\u2014depending on the design\u2014freely drain through an outlet control structure to a downstream conveyance system. During inspections, owners should look for the following conditions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Emergency spillways and overflows are clear of debris;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Plants within properly functioning SMPs are healthy and thriving;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bare soil or areas of active erosion are not present;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Structures appear sound and in good condition, with no signs of settlement; and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Storage areas are slowly draining following significant rain events (in no more than 72&nbsp;hours) and are free of significant accumulations of sediment, debris, and trash that would substantially reduce available storage volume.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If any of these conditions are absent, maintenance is likely required. Detailed information on conducting inspections is available in <a href=\"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/development\/stormwater-plan-review\/manual\/chapter-4\/4-0-introduction\/\">Chapter&nbsp;4<\/a>, within each individual SMP section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Owners should note that proper and thorough inspection may require special certifications for confined space entry and\/or special equipment, like closed-circuit television systems to inspect pipes. It is the property owner\u2019s responsibility to ensure all inspections are conducted safely, following all applicable regulations and using the appropriate equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Property owner maintenance<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"keep-together\">By conducting routine SMP maintenance, property owners can identify and address minor maintenance tasks and reduce the need for larger, more expensive repairs in the future. If SMPs begin to fail, the subsequent increase in stormwater loading on the sewer systems may contribute to backups and combined sewer overflows into nearby rivers. This can cause harm to aquatic life, endanger public health and safety, and violate State and Federal water quality laws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The necessary routine maintenance will be determined by the characteristics of the property\u2019s site and installed SMPs. The owner is advised to review <a href=\"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/development\/stormwater-plan-review\/manual\/chapter-4\/\">Chapter&nbsp;4<\/a> for maintenance guidance specific to their property\u2019s SMP types. While Chapter&nbsp;4\u2019s maintenance guidelines present typical maintenance tasks and frequencies for the various SMPs described, be aware that SMP Maintenance Guides are SMP- and site-specific. These guides are prepared by the project\u2019s designer and should be provided to, and implemented by, the property owner for long-term O&amp;M of the on-site SMPs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although each property\u2019s maintenance will be determined by its site and installed SMPs, examples of common routine maintenance tasks include, but are not limited to, the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Removal of sediment and debris from inlets and outlet control structures, storage areas, and conveyance pipes;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Clearing trash, sediment, and debris from outlet structure trash racks and orifices;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Jetting\/flushing and vacuuming of subsurface basin pipes;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Regular maintenance of pretreatment structures including removal of sediment and debris from permanent filter bags and resetting dislodged pretreatment hoods;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Establishment watering for new plantings (during the first two to three years after the initial planting);<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Emergency watering during prolonged dry periods;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Minor replanting, reseeding, and re-grading;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Removal of invasive plants or weed species and replanting with approved species (The owner is referred to <a href=\"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/development\/stormwater-plan-review\/manual\/appendices\/i-plant-lists\/\">Appendix&nbsp;I<\/a>, Plant Lists, for more information);<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pruning of trees and shrubs, as appropriate, prior to winter months;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mulching (taking care to maintain proper relative elevations with adjacent stormwater structures);<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Replacement of worn bolts, latches, and other appurtenances;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Minor asphalt or concrete patching\/repair;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maintenance of porous surfaces to ensure proper infiltration, and;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Minor erosion repairs, including slope stabilization.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The above tasks are associated with SMPs that are generally in good condition and properly functioning. If SMPs are <em>not<\/em> properly functioning, more extensive maintenance or repairs may be needed. These may include, but are not limited to, full excavation or removal and replacement of permanently clogged media, porous surfaces, or subsurface components.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"keep-together\">Proper execution of routine maintenance tasks may require entry to confined spaces and\/or the use of specialized equipment. Property owners are responsible for safely conducting maintenance activities per applicable regulations and using the appropriate equipment and properly trained personnel. Some SMPs, such as porous surfaces and subsurface basins, require specialized equipment and\/or training to maintain. PWD has a list of <a href=\"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/files\/smp-maintenance-contractors.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">local contractors<\/a> who provide SMP maintenance services. This list is not all-inclusive and does not constitute a recommendation of the companies contained there; rather, these are businesses that have a track record of performing stormwater management maintenance. The property owner may, of course, hire any qualified stormwater professional of their choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Site modifications<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Any proposed changes to a site\u2019s SMPs, drainage configurations, or cover type must be approved by PWD to confirm that the modification will not adversely affect the property\u2019s continued compliance with the Stormwater Regulations or approved stormwater management design. This includes notifying PWD if any site improvements are planned to the property that could impact SMP functionality or regulatory compliance, such as changes in site grading, stormwater drain location\/configuration, or the addition of new impervious areas like walkways, patios, decks, driveways, parking lots, sheds, or buildings. Modifications may require the submission of a <a href=\"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/development\/stormwater-plan-review\/manual\/chapter-2\/2-3-review-phases\/#fieldchanges\">field change<\/a> for PWD review and approval prior to initiation. Unauthorized removal or modifications of any SMPs or drainage areas will result in enforcement actions by PWD.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Post construction, the property owner assumes responsibility for inspecting and maintaining all installed stormwater management practices (SMPs) and associated drainage areas in accordance with their Operations and Maintenance (O&amp;M) Agreement. Additionally, there may be other O&amp;M responsibilities from the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) Stormwater Regulations (Stormwater Regulations) (Section&nbsp;1.2), design criteria for Stormwater Retrofit projects that [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":45,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-manual.php","meta":{"custom_css":"","custom_js":"","dp_submitted":"0","dp_notify":"0","dp_created":"","version":"","effective":"","short-page-title":"","noindex":"","pwd_rlv_phrase_match":"6 1 property owner inspections and maintenance | 6 1 property owner inspections and maintenance | post construction the property owner assumes responsibility for inspecting and maintaining all installed stormwater management practices smps and associated drainage areas in accordance with their operations and maintenance o m agreement additionally there may be other o m responsibilities from the philadelphia water department pwd stormwater regulations stormwater regulations section 1 2 design criteria for stormwater retrofit projects that have received stormwater grant funding and philadelphia property maintenance code requirements that apply smps and associated drainage areas must be continually inspected and maintained to ensure the long term functionality of the approved design property owners are expected to document the inspection and maintenance activity for each smp maintenance and inspection records should be submitted when applying for stormwater credit renewals section 6 3 these records can also assist pwd staff during the departments own periodic inspections an smp specific and site specific smp maintenance guide prepared by the designer and reviewed by pwd during the post construction stormwater management plan pcsmp review phase should be provided to the property owner as a road map for the long term upkeep of on site smps the manuals appendix g includes a compiled smp maintenance guide sample for reference along with smp maintenance schedule form templates and related maintenance information | operations and maintenance agreement | o m agreements are created during the development phase of a project and recorded against the propertys deed with the philadelphia department of records accordingly these agreements remain tied to the land not the owner whenever the property is sold or otherwise conveyed thus when a new owner acquires the property they also assume all maintenance responsibilities outlined in the agreement pwd does not pursue legal action against property owners for projects that do not advance to construction | the property owner of record is bound by the o m agreement and must maintain the smps so that they perform adequately and as designed furthermore the agreement requires that the property owner maintain the site in accordance with the approved pcsmp and prohibits alterations including the conversion of pervious areas to impervious cover without authorization from pwd in certain types of developments a homeowners association hoa or condominium association coa may assume maintenance responsibilities in these cases pwd recommends that all o m responsibilities associated with smps be incorporated into the legal declaration of the hoa or coa | property owner inspections | as described in chapter 4 smps consist of multiple components e g inflow conveyance storage outflow vegetation and so on each of these components must be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure proper functionality property owners or those parties designated to conduct inspections on an owners behalf must have a strong working knowledge and understanding of each smp and its critical design components prior to conducting inspections chapter 4 | frequent property owner smp inspections are critical to identifying and remediating minor maintenance concerns before they potentially become major issues requiring costly repairs property owners should perform routine inspections at least four times per year preferably at the close of each season though additional inspections are recommended throughout the year particularly during and after large rain events to ensure that smps are functioning as designed | an inspections primary purpose is to ensure the smp is functioning correctly if it is not corrective actions must be identified to restore proper function an optimally functioning smp will allow water to freely enter each inflow point collect within its storage areas infiltrate into the soil and depending on the design freely drain through an outlet control structure to a downstream conveyance system during inspections owners should look for the following conditions | emergency spillways and overflows are clear of debris | plants within properly functioning smps are healthy and thriving | bare soil or areas of active erosion are not present | structures appear sound and in good condition with no signs of settlement and | storage areas are slowly draining following significant rain events in no more than 72 hours and are free of significant accumulations of sediment debris and trash that would substantially reduce available storage volume | if any of these conditions are absent maintenance is likely required detailed information on conducting inspections is available in chapter 4 within each individual smp section | owners should note that proper and thorough inspection may require special certifications for confined space entry and or special equipment like closed circuit television systems to inspect pipes it is the property owners responsibility to ensure all inspections are conducted safely following all applicable regulations and using the appropriate equipment | property owner maintenance | by conducting routine smp maintenance property owners can identify and address minor maintenance tasks and reduce the need for larger more expensive repairs in the future if smps begin to fail the subsequent increase in stormwater loading on the sewer systems may contribute to backups and combined sewer overflows into nearby rivers this can cause harm to aquatic life endanger public health and safety and violate state and federal water quality laws | the necessary routine maintenance will be determined by the characteristics of the propertys site and installed smps the owner is advised to review chapter 4 for maintenance guidance specific to their propertys smp types while chapter 4s maintenance guidelines present typical maintenance tasks and frequencies for the various smps described be aware that smp maintenance guides are smp and site specific these guides are prepared by the projects designer and should be provided to and implemented by the property owner for long term o m of the on site smps | although each propertys maintenance will be determined by its site and installed smps examples of common routine maintenance tasks include but are not limited to the following | removal of sediment and debris from inlets and outlet control structures storage areas and conveyance pipes | clearing trash sediment and debris from outlet structure trash racks and orifices | jetting flushing and vacuuming of subsurface basin pipes | regular maintenance of pretreatment structures including removal of sediment and debris from permanent filter bags and resetting dislodged pretreatment hoods | establishment watering for new plantings during the first two to three years after the initial planting | emergency watering during prolonged dry periods | minor replanting reseeding and re grading | removal of invasive plants or weed species and replanting with approved species the owner is referred to appendix i plant lists for more information | pruning of trees and shrubs as appropriate prior to winter months | mulching taking care to maintain proper relative elevations with adjacent stormwater structures | replacement of worn bolts latches and other appurtenances | minor asphalt or concrete patching repair | maintenance of porous surfaces to ensure proper infiltration and | minor erosion repairs including slope stabilization | the above tasks are associated with smps that are generally in good condition and properly functioning if smps are not properly functioning more extensive maintenance or repairs may be needed these may include but are not limited to full excavation or removal and replacement of permanently clogged media porous surfaces or subsurface components | proper execution of routine maintenance tasks may require entry to confined spaces and or the use of specialized equipment property owners are responsible for safely conducting maintenance activities per applicable regulations and using the appropriate equipment and properly trained personnel some smps such as porous surfaces and subsurface basins require specialized equipment and or training to maintain pwd has a list of local contractors who provide smp maintenance services this list is not all inclusive and does not constitute a recommendation of the companies contained there rather these are businesses that have a track record of performing stormwater management maintenance the property owner may of course hire any qualified stormwater professional of their choice | site modifications | any proposed changes to a sites smps drainage configurations or cover type must be approved by pwd to confirm that the modification will not adversely affect the propertys continued compliance with the stormwater regulations or approved stormwater management design this includes notifying pwd if any site improvements are planned to the property that could impact smp functionality or regulatory compliance such as changes in site grading stormwater drain location configuration or the addition of new impervious areas like walkways patios decks driveways parking lots sheds or buildings modifications may require the submission of a field change for pwd review and approval prior to initiation unauthorized removal or modifications of any smps or drainage areas will result in enforcement actions by pwd","pwd_rlv_wordcount":"1380","page_language":""},"section":[],"class_list":["post-889","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","wpautop"],"acf":[],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/phila.gov\/development\/stormwater-plan-review\/manual\/chapter-6\/6-1-property-owner-inspections-and-maintenance\/","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"WebPage","headline":"6.1 Property Owner Inspections and 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