Structural Best Management Practices Maintenance

The information provided below is intended for property owners or property management companies that own or manage properties with required, permanent structural best management practices, or "structural BMPs.” If you still have questions about maintaining structural BMPs on your property, email Environmental Programs or call 760-839-4079.

Structural BMPs mitigate storm water impacts by capturing, treating, and reducing urban runoff.

Annual BMP Maintenance Certification

The City of Escondido is required to verify that property owners are maintaining existing structural BMPs to the original design specifications. In addition to conducting periodic inspections, the City operates a program to verify operation and maintenance of structural BMPs.

All property owners are responsible for submitting documentation of their BMP maintenance activities annually. Each year, the City distributes BMP Maintenance Certification forms to property owners or property managers. Returning the signed and completed BMP Maintenance Certification Form demonstrates that a property is doing its part to remain in compliance with storm water regulations. The certification forms also provide the City information we are required to report to the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board. If certification forms are not returned in a timely manner, the City may perform a follow-up inspection, or issue correction/enforcement notices or fines. More information on inspecting your property's BMPs is provided below.

Maintenance Inspections

Many structural BMPs can easily be inspected for operation and maintenance. The City performs on-site inspections of select sites with structural BMPs as part of the Annual maintenance verification program.

The following are examples of typical assessments the City would make during an inspection of a storm water structural BMP. This is a general list, so not all of the items apply to all types of BMPs. If you perform your own maintenance, these are simple things to check to tell whether your BMPs are in compliance. Depending on the outcome, and depending on what specific BMPs are installed on your property, you may choose to solicit assistance from a third-party maintenance vendor.

• Check that each BMP is free of damage. Vegetated BMPs should be free of erosion or scouring. Pre-manufactured structural BMPs should appear structurally sound, and filter screens or baskets should be well secured.
• Check each BMP for accumulated sediment, trash, and/or debris. If a filter screen or basket is near 50% full, it should be removed, cleared of all contents, cleaned, and reinstalled.
• Check that the BMP inlets and outlets are free of obstructions. Most BMPs are designed to receive storm water and discharge it after treatment. Depending on the design of the BMP, obstructions may be caused by sediment, trash, debris, or by excessive vegetation. Inlet obstructions prevent storm water from entering the BMP and being properly treated. Outlet obstructions inhibit discharge of treated storm water, and may lead to flooding.
• Check that each BMP is free of standing water and unpleasant odors. Standing water or odors may indicate that a BMP is not draining as designed.
• Check that vegetated BMPs maintain sufficient ground cover (such as mulch or plants, per design). Vegetation should be healthy, but not overgrown.
• Check that any filter media pouches, booms, cartridges, etc. associated with a BMP are completely secured, intact, and in working condition. Filter media should be replaced according to manufacturer's specifications.
• Check that pre-manufactured structural BMPs follow manufacturer's recommended operations and maintenance specifications. These may vary by device and manufacturer.

If a BMP fails any of these assessments during a City inspection, it would likely require maintenance, and the City will issue a Notice of Correction.

When you submit your Annual BMP Maintenance Certification Form, you are certifying that your BMPs have been maintained such that they should attain compliance if subjected to an inspection.

If you have additional questions about maintaining your BMPs, please email Environmental Programs or call at 760-839-4079. Please provide your property address or the Project ID that appears on your maintenance certification form.