Stormwater BMPs
Save a Stream
Stormwater Management Facilities (SWMFs) or Best Management Practices (BMPs) are a key component of any land development project whether it is a residential community or a shopping center. SWMFs help improve water quality of streams by removing pollutants from rainwater. As rainwater falls on the ground and runs across the surface as stormwater, it collects leaves, grass clippings, pet waste, litter, lawn fertilizers, pesticides and more, whatever it meets washes into our streams by stormwater. Virtually all new development in the County includes facilities known as BMPs, to treat the stormwater and minimize the negative effects on our waterways.Private SWMF Program
Because SWMFs help lessen the impacts of development, they are required under the County’s Chesapeake Bay ordinance, as well as state and federal law. To see how your SWMF scored, view the results.- 1 = Adequate
- 2 = Routine maintenance needed
- 3 = Non-Routine repair needed
- 4 = Urgent repairs needed, BMP has failed or is failing.
SWMF Owners may check the online County records including BMP as-built drawings by going to the Stormwater Documents Site.
Responsibilities of SWMF Owners
The property owner where the SWMF is located has legal responsibility to provide basic annual maintenance and to make any repairs that may be needed. Typical SWMF owners are homeowner associations (HOA), private communities, commercial retail properties and business property owners.BMP owners can refer to the James City County Stormwater Management Facility Inspection and Maintenance Manual for an overview of facility types/components, information on maintenance requirements, and self-inspection checklists.
A Team Effort
In addition to the Inspection Report, the Stormwater Division provides owners with education and guidance of basic SWMF maintenance and repair. We maintain copies of engineering plans and construction drawings for all SWMFs and advise owners how to keep them in compliance with the County Ordinances.Maintenance
The Stormwater Division is inspecting BMPs throughout the County to identify potential problems in order to provide technical assistance to the owners. These BMPs need periodic maintenance to ensure that they function as designed and to prolong their effectiveness. Responsibility for this maintenance is assigned to the owner through a Declaration of Covenants for Inspection/Maintenance.
Education
The Stormwater Division routinely hosts workshops for BMP owners, and has information that describes how to maintain stormwater facilities. We will also present information to Homeowner Associations.-
Pat Menichino
Stormwater Specialist
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Stormwater & Resource Protection
Physical Address
101 Mounts Bay Road
Building E
Williamsburg, VA 23185
Mailing Address
PO Box 8784
Williamsburg, VA 23187
Phone 757-253-6670Fax 757-259-4032
Hours
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.