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Stormwater Control Measures (SCMs)
Stormwater Control Measure Operation & Maintenance
Stormwater Control Measures (SCMs) require regular operation and maintenance to make sure they are functioning properly. If you are a private Stormwater Control Measure owner, you are required to inspect, maintain, and document the inspection and maintenance of your Stormwater Control Measure annually - view the Stormwater Management Code.
Common types of inspection and maintenance activities are:
- Mowing, Landscaping, and Vegetation Management
- Debris and Leaf Litter Removal
- Sediment Removal
- Structure Integrity
- Water Level Inspections
The Town of Franklin has developed inspection forms to help private Stormwater Control Measure owners perform and document their annual inspections. The forms can be accessed and submitted to the Town online.
Stormwater Control Measure Training Videos
To learn more about SCMs and how to maintain your infrastructure to ensure proper operation, please see refer to the training videos below. This presentation is also available in printable format.
- What is a Stormwater Control Measure?
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Stormwater Control Measures are permanent structures that are designed, constructed, and maintained to prevent flooding and remove pollutants present in stormwater runoff before they are transported to our waterbodies and drinking water reservoirs.
- Why is stormwater runoff management important?
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Stormwater picks up litter, sand, bacteria, oil, and other pollutants as it flows over the land, and it carries these pollutants to our streams, ponds, and wetlands. Runoff from paved surfaces like roads, parking lots, and rooftops may contribute large amounts of these pollutants into stormwater.
Stormwater Control Measures are important because they capture runoff and remove some of the pollutants before they can impact water quality. In Franklin, there are almost 300 municipally owned Stormwater Control Measures and 130 privately owned Stormwater Control Measures. Combined, and if properly maintained, they can remove approximately 500 pounds of total phosphorus from stormwater per year. Phosphorus pollution is an important contributor to water quality impacts and can cause harmful algal blooms, fish kills, and make pets and other animals sick if they drink contaminated water.
In addition to total phosphorus removal, many of these Stormwater Control Measures capture and treat other common stormwater pollutants.
- What are some examples of Stormwater Control Measures?
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The most frequent types of Stormwater Control Measures in Franklin include:
- Stormwater Control Measure Informational Brochure (PDF)
- Franklin Rain Garden Website
- Franklin Rain Garden Tour Brochure (PDF)
- Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Operation and Maintenance Considerations for Green Infrastructure
- University of New Hampshire Stormwater Center Maintenance Guidelines and Resources