The primary audience for this course are Phase I and Phase II NPDES community management, engineers, and designers. For Phase I communities that may have a maintenance program in place, this Guidebook provides technical data and information to help improve existing design standards or inspection and maintenance standards. This Guidebook provides the inspector, program manager, designer with an understanding of common stormwater pond and wetland maintenance problems and possible solutions. None of the maintenance solutions mentioned in this Guidebook are required by federal regulations, but they are meant to help those involved in maintaining these BMPs. This course was developed to assist communities in developing an integrated stormwater management system which includes proper maintenance of existing wet ponds and wetlands, the exploration of retrofit opportunities, as well as the implementation of micro-treatment practices and low impact development design principles.

This Guidebook does not address the maintenance needs of dry ponds or underground detention. These practices are not widely recommended as stand alone practices that provide water quality and water quantity benefits. Dry ponds, however, exist in many communities, as flood control facilities, and many of the maintenance considerations for stormwater ponds and wetlands presented in this Guidebook are relevant to dry ponds. 

Topics: Introduction and terminology Wet pond and wetland challenges and opportunities Inspections and maintenance of existing ponds and wetlands Maintenance activities A permanent pool, clogging, pipe repair Vegetative management, dredging, and muck removal Access, mechanical components, nuisance issues Unit costs for maintenance Pond and wetlands checklist.

Intended Audience: This course is intended for Geotechnical, Civil, Environmental, Water Resources, and other engineers whose job description requires a comprehensive knowledge of geotextile applications and design procedures.

Publication Source: US EPA, Pub#EPA-833-B-09-001, Feb. 2009