General inspection and maintenance guidelines for stormwater harvest and use systems
Link to this table
Component | Timeframe | What to look for during Inspection | Maintenance 1 |
---|---|---|---|
Source Area/Collection Surface | Annually | Changes in land use or land disturbance | Implement source control BMPs as needed to help meet pre-storage water quality targets |
Pollution hot spots | |||
Damage to roofing materials | Repair as needed | ||
Overhanging branches | Trim overhanging branches | ||
Nests or other evidence of animal activity | Remove nests and implement additional measures to discourage animal activity | ||
Monthly or as needed | General condition of pavement | Adjust street sweeping schedule as needed to maintain clean pavement | |
Collection System | Spring startup and fall | General condition of gutters, downspouts, and conveyances | Clean accumulated debris in fall prior to winter operations or seasonal shut-down, and as needed. |
Debris clogging inlets, gutters, downspouts, and other conveyances | |||
Evidence of leaks at junctions or along conveyances | |||
After large storms | General condition of first flush and high-flow diverters (bypass system) | Repair as needed | |
Soil erosion or flooding along diversion flow pathways | Provide appropriate erosion control measures (rip rap, check dams, etc.) | ||
Storage System | Spring start up | General condition of all storage system components | Clean, repair and replace as needed |
Position and function of valves | Test per manufacturer’s guidelines | ||
Function of operational structures and controls | |||
Periodically following startup | Tank ventilation | Clean, repair and replace as needed | |
Excess soil moisture near tanks or other evidence of leaks | Repair leaks per manufacturer’s guidance | ||
Growth of algae or microbes | Drain and clean tank per manufacturer’s guidelines | ||
Intrusion of mosquitos or small animals | Implement appropriate pest control as needed | ||
Monthly | Sediment level in tank or pond | Remove sediment when the tank sediment storage volume has reached 50% of capacity | |
Treatment Systems | Spring startup | General condition and function of all treatment system components | Conduct testing per manufacturer’s guidance
Clean and repair as needed |
Twice per year | Clogging from accumulated dirt and debris in pre-storage treatment components | Clean as needed | |
Evidence of leaks from loose fittings, joints | Repair as needed | ||
3 times per year AND after each rain event that exceeds the design capacity of the collection system | Clogging of intake and filters in first flush diverters, especially during pollen season (filter clogging) | lean and replace as needed | |
Monthly or as required | Performance of water treatment system | Test water quality at point of use and at other points in the system (outlet of collection system, in-tank) as required | |
Adjust treatment parameters to meet any water quality deficiencies | |||
Per manufacturer specifications and as needed | Condition of replaceable components in the treatment systems (filters, cartridges, bulbs, etc.) | Replace/repair per manufacture’s guidelines and as needed. Typical UV treatment is annual and filters are started on a quarterly basis or when differential pressure drops. | |
Distribution System | Spring startup and fall | General condition of all distribution system components | Repair/replace as needed |
Position and function of valves | Test per manufacturer's guidelines | ||
Function of operational controls | |||
Presence of leaks (test) | |||
Function and performance of pump | Complete all startup inspection and operations per manufacturer’s guidelines | ||
Monthly | Presence of biofilms or sediment accumulation on filters | Replace/disinfect as needed | |
Per manufacturer and as needed | Function of pumps and other control equipment | Test all control components per manufacturer's guidelines or as needed to diagnose problems in the system | |
Overflow/Bypass Systems | Annual (above-ground)/ As needed (below-ground) | Clogging or damage at overflow/bypass intakes | Clean and repair as needed |
Erosion of downstream receiving area | Stabilize erosion, repair overflow system as needed, check for failures in other upstream components | ||
Proper pump control and operation | Repair and replace as needed |
1See also decommissioning and winter maintenance tasks
This page was last edited on 3 August 2022, at 20:00.