Stormwater & Retention Basin Maintenance

Unisource Services LLC Cares: Proactive stewardship for healthy waterways

Our company provides comprehensive maintenance services for stormwater retention basins, acting as proactive stewards of the county's water resources. We recognize that these basins are critical infrastructure, vital for managing runoff, preventing flooding, and protecting the health of local waterways. Our service ensures that these systems remain compliant with all federal, state, and local regulations and function optimally to serve their environmental purpose.

Through a combination of scheduled inspections, vegetation management, and diligent sediment control, we preserve the integrity and effectiveness of the county's stormwater assets. We provide transparent reporting and expert recommendations to ensure the long-term health of these basins and protect the county from costly and disruptive failures.

Scope of work

1. General maintenance and compliance

• Safety and compliance: All work will be performed in full compliance with safety standards and all relevant environmental permits and regulations.

• Documentation and reporting: The contractor will maintain a detailed log of all maintenance activities, inspections, and repairs.

• Emergency response: The contractor will provide a 24/7 emergency contact and respond to urgent issues, such as blockages or signs of structural failure, within an agreed-upon timeframe.

• Coordination: The contractor will coordinate closely with the County Stormwater Management Division or other designated officials on all maintenance activities and reporting requirements.

2. Routine and periodic maintenance

2.1 Inspections

• Annual inspection: A comprehensive inspection will be conducted once per year to assess the basin's overall condition and performance.

• Post-storm event inspection: After significant rain events (e.g., storms with over 1 inch of rain), an inspection will be performed to check for erosion, blockages, or other damage.

• During inspection, the contractor will specifically check for:

• Structural integrity of embankments, headwalls, and outlet structures.

• Excessive sediment accumulation that may reduce the basin's storage capacity.

• Condition and proper function of inflow and outflow pipes, trash racks, and grates.

• Presence of invasive vegetation or woody growth on embankments and structures.

• Signs of erosion or unstable slopes.

2.2 Vegetation management

• Routine mowing: Monthly mowing of grass on the basin's side slopes and top of the embankment to prevent erosion and control overgrowth.

• Invasive species control: Identification and removal of invasive plant species that can displace native plants and clog inflow/outflow structures.

• Buffer maintenance: Maintenance of a no-mow zone or buffer strip around the water's edge and inflow/outflow structures to prevent erosion and provide water quality benefits.

• Aquatic plant management: Management of beneficial and nuisance aquatic vegetation to maintain proper water flow and aesthetics.

2.3 Sediment removal

• Forebay and basin cleaning: Removal of accumulated sediment from the basin's forebay when it has lost approximately 50% of its capacity.

• Pipe clearing: Removal of any sediment or debris that may have collected in inflow or outflow pipes.

• Scheduled dredging: Implementation of scheduled sediment removal activities, approximately every 5 to 10 years, or when the basin's sediment depth exceeds the specified limit.

• Debris removal: Regular removal of trash, litter, and other debris from the basin and its components.

2.4 Structural and mechanical components

• Component inspection: Regular inspection of mechanical components, such as valves, gates, and locks, to ensure they are functioning properly.

• Repairs: Execution of necessary repairs to address any identified issues, such as erosion, cracked structures, or failing pipes.

• Outlet clearing: Clearing blockages from all outlets to maintain proper water flow.

3. Reporting and documentation

• Inspection reports: After each inspection, the contractor will submit a detailed report to the county, including findings, photos, and any recommended corrective actions.

• Maintenance logs: Detailed records of all maintenance work performed, including dates, activities, and observations, will be kept and submitted as part of the reporting.

• Corrective action reports: A separate report will be provided documenting the resolution of any deficiencies found during inspections.

• Annual summary report: An annual summary will provide an overview of the year's maintenance activities, basin performance, and future recommendations.

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What qualifications should a contractor have for this work?

Elaborate on specific requirements for sediment and debris removal from stormwater basins

What are the reporting requirements for compliance?