Pre-Occupancy Stormwater System Inspections: What Property Owners Need to Know

What Are Stormwater Inspections?

A stormwater inspection is performed to check whether a stormwater management system works as intended. These inspections are required by law. The stormwater inspection checklist includes several items, such as identifying potential problem areas, testing the reliability of current systems and making a list of necessary repairs. 

Commercial and multi-family properties with stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPPs) have a clearly defined set of measures to prevent pollutants from entering waterways. Stormwater inspections are one of these measures.

Property owners typically hire a stormwater management company, like AQUALIS, to perform a stormwater inspection. Inspections are essential to keeping your property compliant, safe and profitable. There are different types of stormwater inspections—knowing the benefits and stipulations of each will help you make the right choices for your property.

Types of Stormwater Inspections

Stormwater inspections are performed on every property with stormwater management systems. If these systems aren’t up to standard, an inspection will reveal existing faults and will detail a plan to address them. Some inspections are routine, while others are ordered because of a property sale. The two types we’ll discuss are annual inspections and pre-occupancy inspections.

Annual Inspections

Stormwater inspections are recommended on an annual basis. Many municipalities require this frequency, but some require inspections on a three to five year schedule. If your property has proprietary devices, annual inspections are required. During an annual stormwater inspection, a professional will review every stormwater control measure inside your system for pollution accumulation or deficiencies.

If you pass an annual inspection, your local governing body will be informed that you are following best practices and meeting regulatory requirements. If your stormwater systems and practices are not up to standard, a stormwater management company like AQUALIS can develop a plan to address deficiencies.

Pre-Occupancy Inspections

Pre-occupancy inspections are also known as key turnover inspections or notice of termination (NOT) inspections. These inspections occur during the transition from a property’s construction to its ownership. When the general contractor hands responsibility over a site to the property owner, a turnover inspection report guarantees that the new stormwater management system is equal to or better than the system’s original design. 

The Role of Key Turnover & Notice of Termination (NOT) Inspections

Key turnover and Notice of Termination (NOT) inspections are conducted to transfer responsibility of a newly built property from the original construction company to the new property owners.  These inspections protect both the property owner and contracting company.. Key turnover inspections can occur up to one year after construction is completed and involve detailed reports of the health of all stormwater control measures. These inspections are conducted to signify to the governing body the termination of construction and any active permits related to the construction activities, for example a SWPPP.

AQUALIS follows a rigorous stormwater inspection checklist to ensure the stormwater system is compliant and built to last. If we find areas of concern in your system, our experts create an itemized list to address before responsibility is transitioned.

How the Key Turnover Inspection Report is Prepared & Submitted

There should typically be four parties present during a key turnover inspection:

• The property owner (or a representative)
• General contractor
• Engineer of record
• Third-party inspector (typically a certified stormwater inspector)

The general contractor submits a pre-NOT inspection report while the stormwater maintenance contractor inspects the stormwater management system’s condition. The stormwater maintenance contractor’s inspection involves taking photos and videos of outstanding issues and testing discharge points. Based on the condition of the stormwater control measures, the stormwater expert develops a list of issues to be fixed—each item must be addressed before a Notice of Termination can be filed. 

Once outstanding issues are resolved and the NOT is filed, any active permits in the contractor’s name, like a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, must be transferred to the new owners. From this point onward, most property owners enlist the help of a stormwater management company to maintain their stormwater systems and guidelines. 

Key Components of an Effective Stormwater Inspection Checklist

A stormwater inspection checklist should include the following:

• Photos, maps and descriptions of a property’s stormwater management system
• A comprehensive list of perceived and expected problems with systems and expected lifespan of assets
• Recommendations for fixing outstanding issues
• The inspection’s date, time and permit number
• The inspector’s name and signature

Ensuring a Smooth Transition with Proper Stormwater Inspections

You deserve peace of mind before taking ownership of a property’s stormwater management systems. With AQUALIS, you are in expert hands. Our stormwater management experts will ensure an easy transition between you and a construction company. We also perform regular and annual inspections. 

Our team has years of experience with pre-occupancy inspections, ensuring that your systems are durable, compliant and effectively treat stormwater. Quality stormwater systems can be the difference between a successful and a problem-ridden property. AQUALIS is here to keep your property safe and compliant for years to come.