DETENTION PONDS: MAKING A CASE TO MAINTAIN YOUR POND REGULARLY

Do detention ponds need to be maintained regularly? In short, yes. Ponds need to be maintained with some regularity if one intends to keep the pond operating as expected and one appreciates increasing the odds of NOT encountering extraordinary costly issues down the road.

Detention and retention pond maintenance repair has become a big topic of conversation because they are one of the most common solutions for addressing stormwater management requirements. Not only do they do a great job addressing typical requirements, but they also help slow down runoff, contain sediment, collect trash, and remove pollutants. In addition, they offer an opportunity to add and/or retain a little bit of nature as a piece property is being developed out.

Ponds, like the one pictured below, are highly effective at moving stormwater runoff at the speed and the direction desired by the property owner and the surrounding neighbors. These types of ponds are created to present a natural feel to the property. It’s a great place to take a walk around or sit on an adjacent bench and enjoy a sack lunch.

However, many detention ponds are dealt with as an eyesore, even right from their very inception during the property’s planning, design and engineering stages. All to often, the pond is planned out to be in back of a property or in some other “out-of-sight” location. The owner wants it to perform its duty, but assumes it will be an unattractive feature and so wants it out of sight. These are the ponds that are often neglected. As you see below, out of sight often leads to out of mind.

These ponds are often denied the most basic of maintenance programs. Simple maintenance, such as mowing, trash and litter clean up, simple landscaping, sediment removal and slope stabilization are often ignored when the pond is out-of-sight and/or there is no plan in place to regularly maintain it. Bringing a neglected pond up to standard can be a huge, unexpected expense, as well as an environmental disaster. Failures within the pond and damages to downstream properties can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. And don’t forget about the attention from local government entities, and likely subsequent fines, that a failed pond brings with it.

On the other hand, these shocking costs and government scrutiny can be avoided by merely applying regular inspections and routine maintenance to your pond.

Regular inspections performed by a certified professional will see to it that the required maintenance is being completed. The inspector will catch failures and required repairs early in their development. This makes for a much less expensive repair than waiting until someone downstream has property damage due to your failed pond.

What does a professional look for when performing an inspection?

• Clogging or obstructions of outlets due to trash, debris or excessive sediment.
• Erosion on the slopes or head wall.
• Excessive vegetation in and around the pond.
• Clear and open pilot channels.
• Functionality of mechanical devices (pumps, flood gates, etc.).
• Condition of inlet and outlet pipes.
• Identify anything negatively affecting the pond’s designed performance.

What type of maintenance is required for a detention pond to function properly?

• Mowing, trimming and keeping vegetation under control.
• Keeping the pond clear of trash and debris.
• Maintaining mechanical elements in and around the pond.
• Stabilized slopes.
• Removing excess sediment from the basin, outflow and inflow pipes

Maintaining a detention pond is not complicated, it just needs to be done regularly and properly. The benefit of maintenance is a low cost and often attractive stormwater management feature that will work for you and the surrounding community for years to come.

Do You Think You Need Detention / Retention Pond Maintenance and/or Permitting Services?

Construction EcoServices provides a complete suite of turnkey services which assure property owners and managers that their properties are in compliance with SWQ permitting regulations.

Through sub-consultancy relationships, we also support Civil Engineers in their efforts to assure that their clients are fully knowledgeable and compliant.

Construction EcoServices provides the following detention and retention pond maintenance and repair services:

• Annual Re-Permitting
• Ensuring Compliance
• Erosion Control
• Fertilizer Services and Over-Seeding
• Final Seeding/Stabilization
• Grading
• Grate Replacement
• Inspections
• Maintenance
• Mowing Services
• Pond Maintenance and Remediation
• Post Construction Certification
• Sand Filter Construction & Maintenance
• Stormwater System Clean-outs