Stormwater Management Facilities

Stormwater Management Facilities, also known as Best Management Practices (BMP’s), generally fall into two categories: surface ponds or subterranean infiltration boxes.

 

The Bureau of Highways currently manages the maintenance of approximately 700 County-owned stormwater facilities. These facilities generally serve single-family residential developments. Other BMP’s found in apartment and townhome complexes, industrial and business centers, or in developments under construction are privately maintained. For information on these facilities, please contact the Sediment and Erosion Control Office at (410) 222-7790.

 

Services provided on County-maintained BMP’s include mowing, inspection, and general maintenance of these devices. Maintenance is funded by both Operating and Capital Budget accounts.

 

BMP’s arrest pollutants that would otherwise be washed directly into streams during rain events. Their purpose is to help increase water quality in the watersheds they serve and ultimately, the Chesapeake Bay. Maintenance is required to assure that each facility continues to perform according to its design and that they remain safe to the communities they serve. Six mowing cycles are scheduled on a routine basis between mid-April to early October. Recently, the Bureau of Highways has also taken the responsibility of inspecting dams and related infrastructure that are a part of each BMP. Inspections are a requirement of the County's National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Permit (NPDES) and will ultimately be used to determine and prioritize maintenance needs, as well as identify and project yearly budgetary program requirements. All work is accomplished through contracted vendors.