YEARLY INSPECTIONS & PERMITTING PROGRAM
Turnkey Compliance Assurance Program (CAP)
Managing a Stormwater Quality Permit (SWQ) can be a daunting task as the Stormwater Quality Management Plan (SWQMP) is unique to each property and requirements can differ significantly from one property to another. Construction EcoServices assures property owners and managers of compliance with these regulations through a suite of services which cover all permitting and ongoing obligations.
Among the services provided are:
- Initial and annual As-Built Certification by third party licensed Professional Engineer
- Photo-documented monthly inspection of the stormwater system by our qualified Inspector which details status and maintenance needs of the system, if any.
- Update of the SWQMP documentation
- Communication with Owner/Manager with respect to maintenance needs
- Create and process annual re-permitting documents
- Respond to unforeseen needs with timely solutions
- Mediate compliance enforcement issues with authorities if needed
- Pond Remediation
A LA CARTE SERVICES
Property Lifetime Compliance Inspection Services
Property Lifetime Compliance Inspection Services
The typical required inspection schedule in the Houston area is monthly. Self-performing these inspections can be costly and burdensome for permit holders. Our highly qualified inspectors are trained in all systems employed in this region with a special emphasis on prevention of costly maintenance issues before they become problematic. Our photo-documented Inspection Reports are inserted into the SWQMP documentation onsite, and/or can be e-mailed to management personnel located elsewhere.
Annual Re-Permitting
Annual Re-Permitting
Stormwater quality permits are valid for 1 year and therefore require annual renewal. To ensure that the system is functioning properly per the original design, a certification by a Professional Engineer is required. Other required re-permitting documentation includes an Owner’s Affidavit and Permit Application. Several local agencies also require photo documentation as well as a disposal manifest for cleanout of SWQ systems, if applicable.
"As-Built" Permitting
“As-Built” Permitting
Construction EcoServices provides permitting for stormwater structures that have already been constructed – otherwise known as “As-Built” structures. It is the job of our inspectors, regardless of the fact that neither they nor our company were able to observe the structure during the various stages of its construction, to determine whether or not the feature has been built and ready to operate as the original plan states. This includes, but is not limited to, the inspector:
- Measuring Sediment depth if applicable
- Inspecting trash racks if applicable to that system
- Checking for cleanliness of the feature
- Bring out P.E. Engineer
- Time/Date Stamped Pictures
- Submit the information to the County
- Make sure the system is functioning properly
- Make sure the spec’d feature was installed
End of Construction Permitting
End of Construction Permitting
Post-construction Certification is required at the completion of construction for all stormwater quality features in the region. This is a process that owners should monitor to ensure that the system they paid for is in place and functioning properly. Since SWQ systems are often underground, they are often overlooked and not included in the close-out process. Our experience has shown that all too often, the SWQ system specified is either not clean, not installed properly, or has not been installed at all. In some cases several years go by before these deficiencies are discovered, at which point the burden falls on the owner who is ultimately responsible for the SWQ permit. We regularly consult with our clients on new projects to help ensure that their SWQ systems are compliant.
WHY SHOULD YOU CARE?
Stormwater Quality (SWQ) permitting regulations exist to improve water quality and to minimize negative impacts of development on our watersheds. Without these programs, the effects that a growing community creates would have a devastating impact on our region’s already impaired rivers, streams and bayous. Counties and cities each have their own set of regulations regarding the post-construction stormwater management obligations that must be met by property owners.
When incorporating the specifics of SWQ regulatory requirements into the design of a development, the civil engineer calculates the volume of water to be treated, creates a Stormwater Quality Management Plan SWQ and selects a stormwater quality treatment feature to fit the needs of the site. The resulting design must be approved by County or City engineers and a Stormwater Quality Permit is issued to the Owner of the property.
All of this happens before construction is permitted or commenced. On occasion, the SWQ permit and the SWQMP which guides compliance; are details the property Owner or Manager may not be fully aware of. If the SWQ permit is not renewed annually as required, and/or the stormwater quality feature is not inspected and maintained according to the SWQMP, the property Owner is out of compliance and will be subject to fines.
Some may see stormwater management as just another unnecessary and unwanted cost to construction projects or property ownership and management. But, understanding the negative effects that poor or no stormwater management is causing should be a concern to us all. It affects where we live and play. It affects our marine-based food supply. It affects our dwindling water supply.
We care. It is why we do what we do.
FREE ON-SITE ASSESSMENT
Free Assessment of Your Stormwater Feature(s)
It is FREE and EASY. No fee. No obligation. We will come out and take a look your feature(s) and subsequently provide you a full report on status and condition, as well as an estimate for any needed services to bring your feature(s) compliant with EPA and local stormwater regulations.
You’ve Received a Re-Permit Notice, What Next?
Learn what to do next if you have received a Notice of Stormwater Quality Requirements for your property. Harris County and the City of Houston each have a set of regulations regarding the post-construction stormwater management obligations that must be met by property owners.
- Determine if your property is in permittable condition
- Issues that must be resolved prior to re-permit
- Professional Engineer Certification
- How to avoid the cost of non-compliance
With an understanding of your requirements as a property owner or manager, this guide will go a long way towards insuring your property is compliant with stormwater quality regulations.
