Operations and Maintenance

Below is information regarding our Private and Public Stormwater Inspection programs.

Site Management Plan for Stormwater Operations and Maintenance (SMP)

Stormwater Operations and Maintenance performed in the City of Puyallup shall follow the Site Management Plan for Stormwater Operations and Maintenance. The document is intended to be a comprehensive resource that: 

  • Provides specific guidance about permit-required practices, policies, and procedures for City maintenance staff to use when performing O&M activities. 
  • Covers all types of sites where City staff may perform stormwater O&M or O&M inspections, including municipal, private/commercial, and residential properties. 
  • Centralizes and standardizes O&M procedures and usage of stormwater BMPs by the City. 
  • Provides a resource to help private property owners properly operate, maintain, and inspect BMPs and guidance to properly correct deficiencies identified in inspection reports. 
  • Sets O&M standards for all stormwater facilities in the City, which include catch basins, pipes, manholes, swales, ditches, drywells, ponds, oil/water separators, proprietary treatment devices, low impact development (LID) facilities, and other stormwater structures or features that treat, convey, or collect stormwater. 

 The SMP is a two part document that consist of the main body and the appendices. See the links below to the corresponding sections.

SMP Main Body:

  • Introduction
  • Module 1: Municipal Stormwater Facility Maintenance
  • Module 2: Private Stormwater Facility Maintenance
  • Module 3: Residential Stormwater Facility Maintenance

SMP Appendices:

  • Table 1: BMP Matrix for Municipal Stormwater Facility Maintenance
  • Table 2: BMP Matrix for Private Stormwater Facility Maintenance
  • Table 3: BMP Matrix for Residential Stormwater Facility Maintenance
  • Appendix A: O&M Standards
  • Appendix B: Best Management Practices
  • Appendix C: Integrated Pest Management Plan
  • Appendix D: Annual Inspection Report




Private Stormwater Facility Inspection Program

The City of Puyallup, as part of the NPDES Stormwater Permit Program regulated by the Department of Ecology, requires property owners to inspect and maintain stormwater systems on their private property. Private stormwater systems, at businesses and residential developments, are inspected by the city to ensure they are functioning and maintained properly, meet all stormwater maintenance standards, and to verify pollutants are not entering the drainage system or surface waters.
  
For answers to questions about private stormwater facilities on your property, please contact Nolan Fritts at (253) 841-5466 or Email.

Maintaining Your Private Stormwater System

Private stormwater facility owners are responsible for maintaining their systems in accordance with the City of Puyallup Stormwater Site Management Plan and the Site Operation and Maintenance Manual (if applicable).
 
Some systems can be maintained by picking up litter and mowing the facility. Some larger facilities are more difficult to maintain, and a professional may need to be hired. Here is a link to a list of contractors for your convenience.

The City of Puyallup provides a list of contractors for your convenience but makes no recommendation regarding these contractors. Property owners are encouraged to obtain at least three bids for each job, check references, and provide the contractor with a copy of the inspection report and site map. This information will save the contractor time and help prepare an accurate bid.  Once a contractor is hired the work should be inspected ensure compliance with your direction. Contractors may contact the City Inspector if they need clarification on the inspection report.

 If you are a contractor that would like to be added to the list, or need your information updated, please contact us via email.

Annual Reporting

The maintenance and operation of a private stormwater facility is the responsibility of the property owner(s) in accordance with PMC 21.10.280. The property owner(s) shall maintain a maintenance schedule, record and log maintenance performed. Operation and maintenance records shall be retained by the property owner for a minimum of three years and submitted to the city's Stormwater Engineering Department annually no later than January 30th for the preceding year’s report and be available to the city for inspection at all reasonable times.

Operations and Maintenance Standards are included in Appendix A of the SMP and should be used as reference to identify maintenance deficiencies and generate the annual report. Your annual inspection compliance report can be submitted though mail, email or faxing the form into the Stormwater Engineering Department.

If you have any questions on submitting your annual compliance report, contact Bryana Solis 253-770-3364 or bsolis@puyallupwa.gov.

Additional Resources: