For a privately owned commercial property, responsibility typically rests with the property owner or the entity designated to operate and maintain the stormwater system. In a shared development, that may be the property owners’ association, condominium association, community development district, or another entity named in the permit or operation-and-maintenance plan. A property manager or tenant may handle routine tasks if an agreement assigns them that role, but that doesn’t necessarily transfer the owner’s underlying responsibility.

Public agencies generally maintain systems they own or have formally accepted for maintenance; don’t assume the city is responsible for drains and basins on private property. Check the site’s permit, O&M plan, recorded agreements, and leases to confirm who is responsible for inspections, cleaning, repairs, and documentation.

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Storm drains are completely separate from sanitary sewer systems:

• Storm Drains: Carry untreated rainwater and surface runoff straight into nature.
• Sanitary Sewers: Carry wastewater from indoor plumbing (toilets, sinks, and washing machines) to a treatment plant to be cleaned before release.

Because stormwater is generally not treated before it reaches local bodies of water, trash, pet waste, motor oil, and fertilizers that enter the system can severely pollute aquatic life and the environment.

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Prepare while conditions are still safe, and follow your property’s emergency plan and local weather alerts. Before the rainy season—and again when a storm is forecast:

• Identify who is responsible for the property’s drains and basins, and mark known flooding or ponding areas.
• Remove leaves and loose debris from accessible drain inlets, gutters, and drainage paths. Keep grates in place; don’t open or enter underground structures.
• Secure dumpsters, pallets, outdoor furniture, landscaping materials, and other items that could blow or wash into drains. Protect chemicals and waste from rain.
• If the site has stormwater pumps or other equipment, check them per the property’s maintenance plan, or have the responsible service provider inspect them.
• Arrange professional help for blocked or damaged drains, and stop outdoor work when conditions become unsafe.

GreenTeam provides storm drain and catch basin cleaning, CCTV inspections, hydro jetting, and repairs. Scheduling service before a storm can give your team time to address drainage issues while it’s safe to do so.

Stormwater is rainwater that runs off roofs, roads, and parking lots instead of soaking into the ground. It can carry debris, sediment, oil, and chemicals into drains and waterways; heavy runoff can also overwhelm a drainage system or expose problems in it. It requires proper drainage systems and maintenance

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A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) is a site-specific written document required by certain permits under the Clean Water Act’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program. It explains how a site will control erosion, sediment, and other pollutants that could enter stormwater runoff.

A SWPPP typically describes the site’s drainage and potential pollution sources, the control measures in place, inspection and maintenance procedures, spill response, and required recordkeeping. It is commonly required for construction projects disturbing one acre or more—including smaller projects that are part of a larger development—and for certain regulated industrial facilities. Requirements depend on the activity and applicable permit.

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Warning signs can begin as minor nuisance problems and worsen over time. Look for water that lingers in parking lots or drive aisles after rain, drains that empty slowly, water backing up through inlets, or catch basins blocked by leaves, sediment, or debris. Erosion near drains, soft or sunken areas, sinkholes, and pavement settlement may signal a more serious drainage or underground pipe issue. Repeated tenant complaints about pooling water or flooded access areas are also worth investigating.

These signs don’t identify the cause by themselves; blockages, pipe damage, grading, and system design can all affect drainage. GreenTeam can help investigate accessible storm drains and pipes through cleaning, CCTV inspections, hydro jetting, and repairs. Explore storm drain services.

There is no single schedule for every property. Follow the site’s permit and approved maintenance plan; for example, Florida’s industrial stormwater permit requires quarterly visual examinations for most covered sectors, with other requirements depending on the operation.

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Wash water can carry detergents, dirt, sediment, oil, grease, paint particles, and other residue across pavement and into nearby storm drains. Storm drains often carry runoff to canals, lakes, bays, or other waterways without wastewater treatment. Pollutants can harm water quality and aquatic life, while sediment and debris can clog inlets and contribute to drainage problems. Even water that looks clean may contain contaminants.

Before washing, dry-sweep loose debris and identify nearby storm drains. Contain and collect the wastewater, then dispose of it using an approved method. Don’t send wash water to a storm drain, and check with the local wastewater authority before discharging it to a sanitary sewer; approval or pretreatment may be required.

GreenTeam helps commercial property teams maintain storm drains and catch basins through cleaning and inspection services. Proper wash-water handling helps keep pollutants out of the drainage system in the first place.

It depends on how the property’s stormwater system was designed. A retention system captures runoff and allows it to seep into the soil. A detention system stores runoff temporarily and releases it gradually. Infiltration is the process of water soaking into the ground; it may be part of a retention system or another design.

Systems can include ponds, basins, swales, underground structures, or a combination of features. Check the property’s approved drainage plans, permit, as-built drawings, or operation-and-maintenance plan to confirm how yours works. If the documents aren’t available, a qualified stormwater professional or permitting agency can help identify the approved design.

Once you know how the system is designed, GreenTeam can help maintain key drainage components with commercial storm drain and catch basin cleaning, CCTV inspections, hydro jetting, pipe repair, and related services. These services help address debris, blockages, and visible maintenance issues that may affect drainage flow. Explore GreenTeam’s storm drain cleaning services.

It depends on the property’s location, drainage system, and activities. Some construction projects and regulated industrial facilities may need coverage under an NPDES stormwater permit and a site-specific Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). Separately, municipalities, drainage districts, or environmental agencies may require periodic inspections, drainage certifications, permit renewals, or maintenance records. These local requirements are not the same as a SWPPP, and they vary by jurisdiction.

GreenTeam works with commercial property managers, HOAs, office parks, industrial facilities, healthcare campuses, retail centers, municipalities, and institutional properties to help maintain drainage infrastructure and address applicable requirements. Requirements vary by site and jurisdiction. GreenTeam can help with the listed inspection, certification, renewal, and maintenance needs; confirm specific obligations with the applicable agency or district.

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