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Best Management Practices. What it the current
modern means to address issues and concerns. This is used in
regulatory items so that it can refer to the "next best thing"
that comes along as opposed to a stagnant, outdated method.
The stormwater pollution problem has two main components: the
increased volume and rate of runoff from impervious surfaces and
the concentration of pollutants in the runoff. Both components
are directly related to development in urban and urbanizing
areas. Together, these components cause changes in hydrology and
water quality that result in a variety of problems, including
habitat modification and loss, increased flooding, decreased
aquatic biological diversity, and increased sedimentation and
erosion. Effective management of stormwater runoff offers a
multitude of possible benefits, including protection of wetlands
and aquatic ecosystems, improved quality of receiving
waterbodies, conservation of water resources, protection of
public health, and flood control.
In addition to chemical pollutants in stormwater, the physical
aspects related to urban runoff, such as erosion and scour, can
significantly affect receiving water's fish population and
associated habitat. Alterations in hydraulic characteristics of
streams receiving runoff include higher peak flow rates,
increased frequency and duration of bankfull and subbankfull
flows, increased occurrences of downstream flooding, and reduced
baseflow levels. Traditional flood control measures that rely on
the detention (storage) of the peak flow (referred to as peak
shaving) have been characteristic of many stormwater management
approaches, have generally not targeted pollutant reduction and
in many cases have exacerbated the problems associated with
changes in hydrology and hydraulics. EPA recommends an approach
that integrates the control of stormwater peak flows and the
protection of natural channels to sustain the physical and
chemical properties of aquatic habitat.
BMP
The most effective BMP
will protect the environment and your business. When you select
the most effective Best Management Practice (BMP), you’re
protecting your business, the environment, and your community
from the harmful effects of stormwater runoff. Choosing the
right BMP, or “treatment train” of BMPs, involves understanding
what your community requirements may be for water quality and
quantity. It also involves understanding the types of BMPs
available to meet those requirements. We have the information to
help you understand all of it.
BMPs Defined
Best Management
Practices (BMPs) are techniques used to control stormwater
runoff, sediment control, and soil stabilization, as well as
management decisions to prevent or reduce nonpoint source
pollution. The EPA defines a BMP as a “technique, measure or
structural control that is used for a given set of conditions to
manage the quantity and improve the quality of stormwater runoff
in the most cost-effective manner.”
“Treatment train”
refers to the application of a series of physical stormwater
best management practices to achieve improved drainage water
quality.
FACT: Structural best
management practices seem to be most effective when they can be
combined in a treatment train. However, BMPs will fail if
improperly located within the treatment train or not properly
maintained.
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Guide to
Maintenance of Stormwater
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Best Management
Practices (BMPs)
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Find Maintenance
Costs of BMPs
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Maintenance Guide
to Planning
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Search the Library
The cost of improperly
maintained Best Management Practices (BMPs) can be devastating
to a business and community. Improperly maintained BMPs not
only decrease in efficiency of removing pollutants, they also
create environmental hazards (such as flooding and
contamination), placing an owner or property manager at risk for
liability.
Maintaining BMPs often
falls in the hands of the owner, developer, or site occupant.
Local or state ordinances may dictate the responsibility of
maintenance and inspections to a particular party to ensure
proper monitoring is taking place.
An effective
maintenance program will extend the life of stormwater controls
and BMPs, avert expensive repair costs and prevent adverse
downstream impacts.
To protect your
business and the environment, learn about the maintenance costs
of BMPs and the questions you should ask before your install a
BMP.
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Steps to Create A
Maintenance Plan
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Identify location
of all BMPs on your property
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Create a
maintenance plan & checklist
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Identify key
parameters to measure
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Determine a
maintenance schedule and procedure
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Train people to
handle the maintenance and reporting
Once you set up the
monitoring program, reviewing reports will assist in determining
when a BMP needs maintenance. This will assist you in
developing a solid plan and budget for upcoming needs to keep
your BMP(s) properly maintained.
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