Free stormwater pond maintenance workshops set Dec. 5

Sussex County property owners who want to learn about stormwater pond maintenance are invited to attend one of two free workshops being offered by the Sussex Conservation District Thursday, Dec. 5, at the DNREC Lewes Conference Room, 901 Pilottown Road, Lewes.

Both morning and afternoon sessions are available. The morning workshop will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m.; class will run from 9 a.m. to noon. Afternoon workshop registration starts at 1:30 p.m.; class will run from 2 to 5 p.m. The workshops will provide general information on why stormwater management is needed and how to ensure proper pond function for years to come. 

Stormwater ponds collect surface runoff to prevent and manage downstream flooding, remove pollutants, and settle suspended sediments transported by stormwater. The ponds can add to the aesthetics of a community, and homeowners often pay a premium to be close to these waterfront sites.

Maintaining stormwater ponds falls on the property owner, which in many cases is a homeowners’ association or maintenance corporation with responsibilities also including open space management. Some associations seek professional support, while others choose to manage these areas on their own. Other property owners may not even be aware that the ponds require ongoing and sometimes extensive periodic maintenance. Many do not seek technical assistance until there is a problem.

“It is not our intent to turn property owners into pond-maintenance experts. However, we do want to provide them with general knowledge of why the ponds are there, and how to monitor for proper function. We encourage communities to become informed so that they can identify problems early before they become costly to repair,” said Jessica Watson, SCD sediment and stormwater program manager.

Seating is limited to 50 individuals per session, and preregistration is encouraged; go to www.sussexconservation.org/events.

For more information, call the conservation district at 302-856-2105, or Joanna Wilson, DNREC public affairs, 302-739-9902.