May 3, 2010
Vol. 40, No. 141

For further information contact, Jessica Watson, Sussex Conservation District, 302-856-7219, or Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Workshop on stormwater pond maintenance to be held May 26

Sussex County property owners who want to learn more about how to maintain stormwater ponds are invited to attend a free workshop being offered by the Sussex Conservation District and the Center for the Inland Bays on Wednesday evening, May 26 at the Millsboro Fire Hall. The workshop will begin with registration at 6 p.m. and will run until 8 p.m.

Stormwater ponds act as temporary holding basins to prevent flooding, 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 manmade waterfront sites. 

The task of maintaining stormwater ponds falls on the property owner. In many cases, the owner is a homeowners’ association or maintenance corporation, whose responsibilities also include open space management. Some associations seek professional support, while others, particularly those with dry ponds, choose to manage them on their own. Other property owners may not even be aware that the ponds require ongoing and sometimes extensive periodic maintenance. The workshop will provide general information on why stormwater management is needed and how to ensure its proper function for years to come.

Many homeowners do not reach out for technical assistance until there is a problem. “Stormwater ponds are important for water quality and by being informed, a community will hopefully save money when they are responsive to early signs of erosion, invasive species or blockages that could cause flooding,” said Eric Buehl, Habitat Coordinator with the Center for the Inland Bays. 

“It is not our intent to turn property owners into pond-maintenance experts. However, we do want to provide them with the general knowledge of why the ponds are there, and where to go for technical assistance regarding maintenance,” said Jessica Watson, program manager with the Sussex Conservation District. Topics also will include information on stormwater and open space enhancement including information on grants for planting trees.