Municipal operation inspections

The municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) General Permit requires inspections of certain municipally owned/operated facilities, areas, or stormwater best management practices (BMPs) (MS4 General Permit Part III.D.6.e). This includes:

  • Annual inspections of structural stormwater BMPs to determine structural integrity, function, and maintenance needs.
  • At least one inspection every permit term of stormwater ponds and outfalls to determine structural integrity, function, and maintenance needs.
  • Quarterly inspections of stockpiles, and storage and material handling areas identified in the Facility Inventory to determine function and maintenance needs.

During each of these inspections, inspectors must look for evidence of illicit discharges (MS4 General Permit Part III.D.3.c.). All inspections must be documented (MS4 General Permit Part III.D.6.h.(1)), so save any checklists that you are using.

Resources

Fact sheets and guidance documents

Checklists and templates

BMP inspection checklists

Pond inspection checklists

Outfall inspection checklists