A Properly Maintained Stormwater Pond
Stormwater ponds — both wet and dry ponds — act as temporary holding basins to prevent flooding and remove pollutants and settle suspended sediments transported by stormwater. These ponds can add to the aesthetics of a community, and homeowners often pay a premium to be close to these man-made waterfront sites.
“However, stormwater ponds are not self-sustaining,” says Paul Evans, manager of the Sediment and Stormwater Program with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. “Stormwater ponds are very effective at controlling flooding and removing pollutants, but they need to be maintained.”
The task of maintaining stormwater ponds falls on the property owner. In many cases, the owner is an individual or a homeowners’ association. Some individuals or associations seek professional support, while others, particularly those with dry ponds, choose to manage them on their own. Still other property owners may not even be aware that the ponds require ongoing and sometimes extensive periodic maintenance.