Last Updated 08/12/2026
Excerpt from the Storm Water System Operation and Maintenance Handbook
Introduction
Whether you manage an apartment complex or own a commercial development or industrial facility, properly operating and maintaining your storm water systems is critical. Storm water systems that are properly operated and maintained not only function better and provide better storm water treatment, but also reduce maintenance costs and liability problems. This handbook provides information on properly operating and maintaining storm water systems for residential, commercial, and industrial developments.
Proper maintenance is important
Every storm water system needs to be properly maintained to reduce or eliminate costly repair problems and to properly treat storm water. The lack of proper maintenance is the most common cause of storm water system failure.
Inspecting your storm water system
Frequent, thorough and consistent inspections are the key to the successful operation and maintenance of your storm water system. Inspections reveal the operational status of your system, identify needed maintenance actions and provide the information to update your O&M plan. We recommend that you inspect storm water systems after construction, at least twice a year, and after any rainstorm event that produces more than 0.5 inches of rainfall. Storm Water System Operation and Maintenance Handbook 7 Perform regular inspections until you are able to identify how often your system needs regular maintenance. The time interval in which you perform subsequent inspections should be determined by actual maintenance requirements.
Inspecting storm water systems safely
The individual inspecting the storm water system should always consider safety as the first priority. The inspector should have the proper safety equipment (heavy duty gloves, boots, first aid kits, for example) and training before conducting any inspections. Neglecting to follow even the simplest safety precaution can potentially cause serious injury. If the storm water system inspection reveals a safety problem, then you may have to modify your site activities to reduce or eliminate the safety risk.
Operation and Maintenance Recordkeeping
Keeping adequate records on the operation and maintenance of your storm water system is important. Not only does proper recordkeeping provide a useful record of past operation and maintenance practices, but also provides the owner or operator documentation that the storm water system has been properly operated and maintained.
View State Page
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should a Boise property inspect its stormwater system?
The city’s Storm Water System Operation and Maintenance Handbook recommends inspecting after construction, at least twice a year on an ongoing basis, and after any rainstorm producing more than half an inch of rainfall. That’s a starting baseline rather than a fixed rule: the guidance is to keep up regular inspections until a property owner understands how often their specific system actually needs maintenance, then adjust the interval based on what those inspections reveal.
What's the most common reason stormwater systems fail in Boise?
According to the city’s own handbook, a lack of proper maintenance is the single most common cause of stormwater system failure. Systems that are properly operated and maintained don’t just avoid costly repairs, they also treat stormwater more effectively and reduce liability exposure, which the handbook frames as a return that goes beyond simple compliance.
Do I need special safety equipment to inspect my own stormwater system in Boise?
Yes, and the city treats it as a real priority, not a footnote. The handbook calls for proper safety gear, heavy duty gloves, boots and a first aid kit among the recommendations, along with training before anyone conducts an inspection. If an inspection turns up a safety hazard, site activities may need to be adjusted to reduce or eliminate that risk before work continues.
Why does Boise recommend keeping detailed stormwater maintenance records?
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Regulations change frequently — AQUALIS makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of this content, and any reliance on it is at your own risk. Consult a qualified professional or your local regulatory authority to confirm requirements applicable to your specific property.
