Detention Pond Maintenance

In order to prevent flooding and improve water quality, the City of Walker requires that all new development maintain a controlled release rate for stormwater leaving their property. These calculations are based on the 2003 Kent County development Drainage Rules.

1. Pollution Prevention Plans

Often the easiest and least expensive way to maintain a detention pond is to develop and implement a pollution prevention plan at your establishment. A pollution prevention plan drastically reduces the amount of pollution entering your detention ponds; thus reducing the amount of time and money necessary to maintain the ponds.

Important aspects of a pollution prevention plan:

• Dry sweep parking lots on a regular basis. This prevents solids from entering the pond.

• Keep kitty litter, sawdust, or cornmeal handy to absorb small spills. Properly dispose of the collected material.

• Materials that could pollute storm water should be stored inside a protected, roofed building.

• Train employees to be aware of potential storm water pollution and of whom they should inform of potential problems.

2. Maintaining the pond

• Conduct routine monthly inspections.

• Remove any trash that may have accumulated.

• Make sure that the pond’s banks and bottom are stable. There should be no active erosion in the pond.

• Remove excess sediment, trash or other debris that is blocking the discharge pipes or emergency spillway.

• Remove and properly dispose of any pollutants such as oil that may have been trapped in the pond.

• Excessive vegetation such as willows or other large trees and shrubs should be removed unless specifically planted as part of your treatment plan.

3. Sand Filter Maintenance

Sand filters are designed to remove and trap pollutants from storm water. In order to be effective, the following procedures must be followed:

• Routinely inspect the sand filter.

• Keep vegetation growth on the sand to a minimum by hand removing sprouting vegetation.

• Rake the upper layer of sand on a regular basis to loosen the sand and provide for better infiltration.

• Remove any oil, grease, or other pollutant visible on the sand and dispose of properly.

• Replace the sand when it becomes clogged and ineffective.

4. Additional Detention Pond Hints

• Do not use pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers in your pond. These products will leach from the pond and pollute our streams and river.

• Make sure that your pond is draining properly. Detention ponds are designed to release storm water slowly not hold the water permanently. Improperly maintained ponds can harbor breeding areas for mosquitoes and reduce the storage volume of the pond.

• Do not place yard waste such as leaves, grass clippings or brush in ponds.