| Facility Footprint |
| Earthen side slopes and berms |
B, S |
|
Erosion (gullies/ rills) greater than 2 inches deep around
inlets, outlet, and alongside slopes |
- Eliminate cause of erosion and stabilize damaged area (regrade, rock,
vegetation, erosion control matting)
- For deep channels or cuts (over 3
inches in ponding depth), temporary erosion control measures should be put in
place until permanent repairs can be made.
- Properly designed, constructed and
established facilities with appropriate flow velocities should not have
erosion problems except perhaps in extreme events. If erosion problems
persist, the following should be reassessed: (1) flow volumes from
contributing areas and bioretention facility sizing; (2) flow velocities and
gradients within the facility; and (3) flow dissipation and erosion
protection strategies at the facility inlet.
|
| A |
|
Erosion of sides causes slope to become a hazard |
Take actions to eliminate the hazard and stabilize slopes |
| A, S |
|
Settlement greater than 3 inches (relative to undisturbed
sections of berm) |
Restore to design height |
| A, S |
|
Downstream face of berm wet, seeps or leaks evident |
Plug any holes and compact berm (may require consultation with
engineer, particularly for larger berms) |
| A |
|
Any evidence of rodent holes or water piping in berm |
- Eradicate rodents (see "Pest
control")
- Fill holes and compact (may
require consultation with engineer, particularly for larger berms)
|
| Concrete sidewalls |
A |
|
Cracks or failure of concrete sidewalls |
- Repair/ seal cracks
- Replace if repair is insufficient
|
| Rockery sidewalls |
A |
|
Rockery side walls are insecure |
Stabilize rockery sidewalls (may require consultation with
engineer, particularly for walls 4 feet or greater in height) |
| Facility area |
|
All maintenance visits (at least biannually) |
Trash and debris present |
Clean out trash and debris |
| Facility bottom area |
A, S |
|
Accumulated sediment to extent that infiltration rate is
reduced (see "Ponded water") or surface storage capacity significantly
impacted |
- Remove excess sediment
- Replace any vegetation damaged or
destroyed by sediment accumulation and removal
-
Mulch newly planted
vegetation
- Identify and control the sediment
source (if feasible)
- If accumulated sediment is
recurrent, consider adding presettlement or installing berms to create a
forebay at the inlet
|
| |
During/after fall leaf drop |
Accumulated leaves in facility |
Remove leaves if there is a risk to clogging outlet structure
or water flow is impeded |
| Low permeability check dams
and weirs |
A, S |
|
Sediment, vegetation, or debris accumulated at or blocking (or
having the potential to block) check dam, flow control weir or orifice |
Clear the blockage |
| A, S |
|
Erosion and/or undercutting present |
Repair and take preventative measures to prevent future erosion
and/or undercutting |
| A |
|
Grade board or top of weir damaged or not level |
Restore to level position |
| Ponded water |
B, S |
|
Excessive ponding water: Water overflows during storms smaller
than the design event or ponded water remains in the basin 48 hours or longer
after the end of a storm. |
Determine
cause and resolve in the following order:
- Confirm leaf or debris buildup in
the bottom of the facility is not impeding infiltration. If necessary, remove
leaf litter/debris.
- Ensure that underdrain (if
present) is not clogged. If necessary, clear underdrain.
-
Check for other water inputs
(e.g., groundwater, illicit connections).
- Verify that the facility is sized
appropriately for the contributing area. Confirm that the contributing area
has not increased.
If steps #1-4 do not solve the problem, the bioretention soil is likely
clogged by sediment accumulation at the surface or has become overly
compacted. Dig a small hole to observe soil profile and identify compaction
depth or clogging front to help determine the soil depth to be removed or
otherwise rehabilitated (e.g., tilled). Consultation with an engineer is
recommended.
|
| Bioretention soil media |
As needed |
|
Bioretention soil media protection is needed when performing
maintenance requiring entrance into the facility footprint |
- Minimize all loading in the facility
footprint (foot traffic and other loads) to the degree feasible in order to
prevent compaction of bioretention soils.
- Never drive equipment or apply
heavy loads in facility footprint.
- Because the risk of compaction is
higher during saturated soil conditions, any type of loading in the cell
(including foot traffic) should be minimized during wet conditions.
• Consider measures to distribute loading if heavy foot traffic is required
or equipment must be placed in facility. As an example, boards may be placed
across soil to distribute loads and minimize compaction.
• If compaction occurs, soil must be loosened or otherwise rehabilitated to
original design state.
|
| Inlets/Outlets/Pipes |
| Splash block inlet |
A |
|
Water is not being directed properly to the facility and away
from the inlet structure |
Reconfigure/ repair blocks to direct water to facility and away
from structure |
| Curb cut inlet/outlet |
M during the wet season and before severe storm is forecasted |
Weekly during fall leaf drop |
Accumulated leaves at curb cuts |
Clear leaves (particularly important for key inlets and low
points along long, linear facilities) |
| Pipe inlet/outlet |
A |
|
Pipe is damaged |
Repair/ replace |
| W |
|
Pipe is clogged |
Remove roots or debris |
| A, S |
|
Sediment, debris, trash, or mulch reducing capacity of
inlet/outlet |
- Clear the blockage
- Identify the source of the
blockage and take actions to prevent future blockages
|
| |
Weekly during fall leaf drop |
Accumulated leaves at inlets/outlets |
Clear leaves (particularly important for key inlets and low
points along long, linear facilities) |
| |
A |
Maintain access for inspections |
- Clear vegetation (transplant vegetation
when possible) within 1 foot of inlets and outlets, maintain access
pathways
- Consultation with a landscape
architect is recommended for removal, transplant, or substitution of plants
|
| Erosion control at inlet |
A |
|
Concentrated flows are causing erosion |
Maintain a cover of rock or cobbles or other erosion protection
measure (e.g., matting) to protect the ground where concentrated water enters
the facility (e.g., a pipe, curb cut or swale) |
| Trash rack |
S |
|
Trash or other debris present on trash rack |
Remove/dispose |
| A |
|
Bar screen damaged or missing |
Repair/replace |
| Overflow |
A, S |
|
Capacity reduced by sediment or debris |
Remove sediment or debris/dispose |
| Underdrain pipe |
Clean pipe as needed |
Clean orifice at least biannually (may need more frequent
cleaning
during wet season) |
- Plant roots, sediment or debris reducing
capacity of underdrain
- Prolonged surface ponding (see "Ponded water"
|
- Jet clean or rotary cut debris/roots from
underdrain(s)
- If underdrains are equipped with a
flow restrictor (e.g., orifice) to attenuate flows, the orifice must be cleaned
regularly.
|
| Vegetation |
| Facility bottom area and upland slope
vegetation |
Fall and Spring |
|
Vegetation survival rate falls below 75% within first two years
of establishment (unless project O&M manual or record drawing stipulates
more or less than 75% survival rate). |
- Determine cause of poor vegetation growth
and correct condition
- Replant as necessary to obtain 75%
survival rate or greater. Refer to original planting plan, or approved
jurisdictional species list for appropriate plant replacements (See Appendix
3 - Bioretention Plant List, in the LID Technical Guidance Manual for Puget
Sound).
- Confirm that plant selection is
appropriate for site growing conditions
- Consultation with a landscape
architect is recommended for removal, transplant, or substitution of plants
|
| Vegetation (general) |
As needed |
|
Presence of diseased plants and plant material |
- Remove any diseased plants or plant parts
and dispose of in an approved location (e.g., commercial landfill) to avoid
risk of spreading the disease to other plants
- Disinfect gardening tools after
pruning to prevent the spread of disease
- See Pacific Northwest Plant
Disease Management Handbook for information on disease recognition and for
additional resources
- Replant as necessary according to
recommendations provided for "facility bottom area and upland slope
vegetation".
|
| Trees and
shrubs |
|
All pruning seasons
(timing varies by species) |
Pruning as needed |
- Prune trees and shrubs in a manner
appropriate for each species. Pruning should be performed by landscape
professionals familiar with proper pruning techniques
- All pruning of mature trees should
be performed by or under the direct guidance of an ISA certified arborist
|
| A |
|
Large trees and shrubs interfere with operation of the facility
or access for maintenance |
- Prune trees and shrubs using most current
ANSI A300 standards and ISA BMPs.
- Remove trees and shrubs, if
necessary.
|
| Fall and Spring |
|
Standing dead vegetation is present |
- Remove standing dead vegetation
- Replace dead vegetation within 30
days of reported dead and dying plants (as practical depending on
weather/planting season)
- If vegetation replacement is not
feasible within 30 days, and absence of vegetation may result in erosion
problems, temporary erosion control measures should be put in place
immediately.
- Determine cause of dead vegetation
and address issue, if possible
- If specific plants have a high
mortality rate, assess the cause and replace with appropriate species.
Consultation with a landscape architect is recommended.
|
| Fall and Spring |
|
Planting beneath mature trees |
- When working around and below mature trees,
follow the most current ANSI A300 standards and ISA BMPs to the extent
practicable (e.g., take care to minimize any damage to tree roots and avoid
compaction of soil).
- Planting of small shrubs or
groundcovers beneath mature trees may be desirable in some cases; such
plantings should use mainly plants that come as bulbs, bare root or in 4-inch
pots; plants should be in no larger than 1-gallon containers.
|
| Fall and Spring |
|
Presence of or need for stakes and guys (tree growth,
maturation, and support needs) |
- Verify location of facility liners and
underdrain (if any) prior to stake installation in order to prevent liner
puncture or pipe damage
- Monitor tree support systems:
Repair and adjust as needed to provide support and prevent damage to
tree.
- Remove tree supports (stakes,
guys, etc.) after one growing season or maximum of 1 year.
- Backfill stake holes after
removal.
|
| Trees and shrubs adjacent to vehicle travel areas (or areas where
visibility needs to be maintained) |
A |
|
Vegetation causes some visibility (line of sight) or driver
safety issues |
- Maintain appropriate height for sight
clearance
- When continued, regular pruning
(more than one time/ growing season) is required to maintain visual sight
lines for safety or clearance along a walk or drive, consider relocating the
plant to a more appropriate location.
- Remove or transplant if continual
safety hazard
- Consultation with a landscape
architect is recommended for removal, transplant, or substitution of plants
|
| Flowering plants |
|
A |
Dead or spent flowers present |
Remove spent flowers (deadhead) |
| Perennials |
|
Fall |
Spent plants |
Cut back dying or dead and fallen foliage and stems |
| Emergent vegetation |
|
Spring |
Vegetation compromises conveyance |
Hand rake sedges and rushes with a small
rake or fingers to remove dead foliage before new growth emerges in spring or
earlier only if the foliage is blocking water flow (sedges and rushes do not
respond well to pruning) |
| Ornamental grasses
(perennial) |
|
Winter and Spring |
Dead material from previous year's growing cycle or dead
collapsed foliage |
- Leave dry foliage for winter interest
- Hand rake with a small rake or
fingers to remove dead foliage back to within several inches from the soil
before new growth emerges in spring or earlier if the foliage collapses and
is blocking water flow
|
| Ornamental grasses
(evergreen) |
|
Fall and Spring |
Dead growth present in spring |
- Hand rake with a small rake or fingers to
remove dead growth before new growth emerges in spring
- Clean, rake, and comb grasses when
they become too tall
- Cut back to ground or thin every
2-3 years as needed
|
| Noxious weeds |
|
M
(March - October, preceding seed dispersal) |
Listed noxious vegetation is present (refer to current county
noxious weed list) |
- By law, class A & B noxious weeds must
be removed, bagged and disposed as garbage immediately
- Reasonable attempts must be made
to remove and dispose of class C noxious weeds
- It is strongly encouraged that
herbicides and pesticides not be used in order to protect water quality; use
of herbicides and pesticides may be prohibited in some jurisdictions
- Apply mulch after weed removal
(see "Mulch")
|
| Weeds |
|
M
(March - October, preceding seed dispersal) |
Weeds are present |
- Remove weeds with their roots manually with
pincer-type weeding tools, flame weeders, or hot water weeders as
appropriate
- Follow IPM protocols for weed
management (see "Additional Maintenance Resources" section for more
information on IPM protocols)
|
| Excessive vegetation |
|
Once in early to mid- May and once in early- to mid- September |
Low-lying vegetation growing beyond facility edge onto
sidewalks, paths, or street edge poses pedestrian safety hazard or may clog
adjacent permeable pavement surfaces due to associated leaf litter, mulch,
and soil |
- Edge or trim groundcovers and shrubs at
facility edge
- Avoid mechanical blade-type edger and do not use edger or trimmer within 2 feet of tree trunks
- While some clippings can be left in the facility to replenish organic material in the soil, excessive leaf litter can cause surface soil clogging
|
| As needed |
|
Excessive vegetation density inhibits stormwater flow beyond design ponding or becomes a hazard for pedestrian and vehicular circulation and safety |
- Determine whether pruning or other routine maintenance is adequate to maintain proper plant density and aesthetics
- Determine if planting type should be replaced to avoid ongoing maintenance issues (an aggressive grower under perfect growing conditions should be transplanted to a location where it will not impact flow)
- Remove plants that are weak, broken or not true to form; replace in-kind
- Thin grass or plants impacting
facility function without leaving visual holes or bare soil areas
- Consultation with a landscape
architect is recommended for removal, transplant, or substitution of plants
|
| As needed |
|
Vegetation blocking curb cuts, causing excessive sediment
buildup and flow bypass |
Remove vegetation and sediment buildup |
| Mulch |
| Mulch |
|
Following weeding |
Bare spots (without mulch cover) are present or mulch depth
less than 2 inches |
- Supplement mulch with hand tools to a depth
of 2 to 3 inches
- Replenish mulch per O&M
manual. Often coarse compost is used in the bottom of the facility and arborist
wood chips are used on side slopes and rim (above typical water levels)
- Keep all mulch away from woody
stems
|
| Watering |
| Irrigation system (if any) |
|
Based on manufacturer's instructions |
Irrigation system present |
Follow manufacturer's instructions for
O&M |
| A |
|
Sprinklers or drip irrigation not directed/located to properly
water plants |
Redirect sprinklers or move drip irrigation
to desired areas |
| Summer watering
(first year) |
|
Once every 1-2 weeks or as needed during prolonged dry periods |
Trees, shrubs and groundcovers in first year of establishment
period |
- 10 to 15 gallons per tree
- 3 to 5 gallons per shrub
- 2 gallons water per square foot for groundcover areas
- Water deeply, but infrequently, so
that the top 6 to 12 inches of the root zone is moist
- Use soaker hoses or spot water
with a shower type wand when irrigation system is not present
- Pulse water to enhance soil absorption, when feasible
- Pre-moisten soil to break surface tension of dry or hydrophobic
soils/mulch, followed by several more passes. With this method , each pass
increases soil absorption and allows more water to infiltrate prior to
runoff
- Add a tree bag or slow-release
watering device (e.g., bucket with a perforated bottom) for watering newly
installed trees when irrigation system is not present
|
| Summer watering (second and third years) |
|
Once every 2-4 weeks or as needed during prolonged dry periods |
Trees, shrubs and groundcovers in second or third year of
establishment period |
- 10 to 15 gallons per tree
- 3 to 5 gallons per shrub
- 2 gallons water per square foot for groundcover areas
- Water deeply, but infrequently, so
that the top 6 to 12 inches of the root zone is moist
- Use soaker hoses or spot water
with a shower type wand when irrigation system is not present
- Pulse water to enhance soil
absorption, when feasible
- Pre-moisten soil to break surface
tension of dry or hydrophobic soils/mulch, followed by several more passes.
With this method , each pass increases soil absorption and allows more water
to infiltrate prior to runoff
|
| Summer watering
(after establishment) |
|
As needed |
Established vegetation (after 3 years) |
- Plants are typically selected to be drought
tolerant and not require regular watering after establishment; however, trees
may take up to 5 years of watering to become fully established
- Identify trigger mechanisms for
drought-stress (e.g., leaf wilt, leaf senescence, etc.) of different species
and water immediately after initial signs of stress appear
- Water during drought conditions or
more often if necessary to maintain plant cover
|
| Pest Control |
| Mosquitoes |
B, S |
|
Standing water remains for more than 3 days after the end of a
storm |
- Identify the cause of the standing water
and take appropriate actions to address the problem (see "Ponded
water")
- To facilitate maintenance,
manually remove standing water and direct to the storm drainage system (if
runoff is from non pollution-generating surfaces) or sanitary sewer system
(if runoff is from pollution-generating surfaces) after getting approval from
sanitary sewer authority.
- Use of pesticides or Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis
(Bti) may be considered only as a temporary measure while addressing the
standing water cause. If overflow to a surface water will occur within 2
weeks after pesticide use, apply for coverage under the Aquatic Mosquito
Control NPDES General Permit.
|
| Nuisance animals |
As needed |
|
Nuisance animals causing erosion, damaging plants, or
depositing large volumes of feces |
- Reduce site conditions that attract
nuisance species where possible (e.g., plant shrubs and tall grasses to
reduce open areas for geese, etc.)
- Place predator decoys
- Follow IPM protocols for specific
nuisance animal issues (see "Additional Maintenance Resources" section for
more information on IPM protocols)
- Remove pet waste regularly
- For public and right-of-way sites
consider adding garbage cans with dog bags for picking up pet waste.
|
| Insect pests |
Every site visit associated with vegetation management |
|
Signs of pests, such as wilting leaves, chewed leaves and bark,
spotting or other indicators |
- Reduce hiding places for pests by removing
diseased and dead plants
- For infestations, follow IPM protocols (see "Additional Maintenance Resources" section for more information on IPM protocols)
|
|
Note that the inspection and routine maintenance
frequencies listed above are recommended by Ecology. They do not supersede or
replace the municipal stormwater permit requirements for inspection frequency
required of municipal stormwater permittees for "stormwater treatment and
flow control BMPs/facilities".
a Frequency: A = Annually; B = Biannually (twice per year); M = Monthly;
W = At least one visit should occur during the wet season (for debris/clog
related maintenance, this inspection/maintenance visit should occur in the
early fall, after deciduous trees have lost their leaves); S = Perform
inspections after major storm events (24-hour storm event with a 10-year or
greater recurrence interval).
IPM - Integrated Pest Management
ISA - International Society of Arboriculture
|