Maintenance

The Environmental Services Stormwater Division promotes water quality through various avenues - including post-construction. There are numerous codes and best practices to consider when maintaining operations and caring for different forms of stormwater control measures. These are designed to help protect our water quality, safeguard public health and support a healthy community


Stormwater Control Measures 

SCM for Short

These are physical structures, such as detention basins, that are designed and engineered to manage the flow and quality of stormwater runoff. They help to remove pollutants from stormwater and reduce flooding opportunities.


SCMs

WHY ARE THEY IMPORTANT?

As development occurs and more impervious surfaces (i.e. parking lots, roads and buildings) are added there is less area for stormwater to infiltrate into the ground. Developed areas also come with more potential water pollution sources such as fertilizer, motor oil, pet waste, trash, etc. Stormwater control measures are permanent structures designed to capture, hold and potentially treat stormwater runoff to help mitigate these effects of development. It is important to maintain SCMs to ensure they are functioning properly and providing the treatment they were designed for to prevent flooding and keep our waterways clean.



Common SCMs 

COME IN ALL SHAPES & SIZES


Operation & Maintenance Guides

Get Started

See our Stormwater O&M Guides for more information on how to properly maintain the SCMs on your property:
Detention Basin Guide
Bioretention Guide
Native Plant Guide
Pervious Pavement Guide
Underground Detention Guide
Stream Buffer User Guide

Completed inspection checklists and photos should be submitted to Sarah Davis at [email protected] or by mail to 290 E Central St. See checklist for photo requirements.
Detention Basin Checklist
Bioretention Checklist
Pervious Pavement Checklist
Vegetated Filter Strip Checklist
Underground Detention Checklist
Hydrodynamic Separator Checklist

Need help with filling out your inspection form? We are working to prepare photo guides for all SCMs to help you complete your annual self-inspections. Stay tuned for more to come!

Detention Basin Inspection Photo Guide

OTHER RESOURCES:

Bioretention Power Plants (PDF) from Department of Environmental Protection - Montgomery County, Maryland

Maintenance & Inspection Contractors

We have compiled a list of companies that inspect and facilitate maintenance for SCMs. This list is for your convenience only and is not a recommendation or endorsement by the City of Springfield of the services these companies provide nor is it an exclusive list of companies that offer SCM maintenance services. If you would like to have your company added to this list, please contact Sarah Davis at [email protected]. Please include a point of contact as well as the areas of focus for the company.

SCM Contractors List - Updated 5-24-2023(PDF)

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considering a new construction project?
get started here

Any new construction projects or modifications of stormwater infrastructure (including retrofits) should go through the City’s pre-development review process. This does not include the addition of native and tree plantings.
Click here to apply for a pre-dev meeting.