Rain!? I Won’t Let That Stop My Structural BMP from Operating Effectively!
How can you tell what is a structural BMP?
Structural Best Management Practices (BMPs) are devices designed to help treat stormwater runoff from developed properties. Rain gardens, ditches, and depressions that you see every day around your neighborhood and even on your property could be purposefully placed there as a structural BMP to reduce flooding and improve water quality. When these Structural BMPs do not function properly, rain that falls on your property can go into the storm drains and carry pollutants such as trash, fertilizers, pesticides, and sediment to local creeks, rivers, and the ocean.
What could impact structural BMP effectiveness?
Structural BMP effectiveness could be reduced for the following reasons:
- Trash, debris, sediment, and organic material (leaves, trees) build-up
- Overgrown vegetation
- Damage to the structural BMP
Why is it important to make sure that my structural BMP operates effectively?
Even if there is not a river or lake near you, stormwater runoff coming from your property can harm our waterways, wildlife, and other valuable resources. An effectively operating, structural BMP is important because it could prevent pollutants from running off your property, going into the street, and entering the storm drain system untreated.
What can I do to maintain my structural BMP?
Be safe while taking the following actions to make sure that you and your structural BMP are ready for the rain:
- Remove vegetation overgrowth
- Keep your BMPs free of trash, debris, sediment, and organic material
- Replace damaged BMP components
These tips are only several of many actions you can take year-round and after each rain event to ensure your structural BMP is operating effectively.
Above: Photo of a poorly maintained, structural BMP (inlet basket) filled with trash and organic material
Different types of structural BMPs may require different maintenance methods. The following lists the different types of structural BMPs that may be on your property with links to learn more about how you can properly maintain them:
Remember to submit documentation of your inspection findings and maintenance activities every year- or a County inspector may be required to conduct a follow-up inspection or initiate an enforcement investigation.
Above: Photo of a properly maintained, vegetated BMP
Where can I learn more about structural BMPs?
To find out more about structural BMPs or annual structural BMP maintenance verification, please visit www.sandiegocounty.gov/stormwater and click on the “Maintaining My Structural BMP” icon.
Contact us at BMP.program@sdcounty.ca.gov if you have any questions regarding BMPs on your property.
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