Stormwater Inspection Services in North Carolina

Stormwater Management

Annual stormwater inspection of detention basin and storm drain system for permit compliance.

CMS Stormwater provides professional stormwater inspection services in North Carolina for commercial properties, HOAs, municipalities, and regulated sites. Our inspections identify sediment buildup, structural issues, and compliance risks to ensure stormwater control measures (SCMs) meet NCDEQ requirements. Routine inspections are essential to maintain compliance, prevent system failure, and protect water quality across North Carolina.

Comprehensive Stormwater Inspections

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Our Stormwater Inspection Services

Annual Stormwater Inspections
SCM/BMP Inspections
SWPPP Inspections
CCTV Pipe Inspections
Post Storm Inspections
Compliance & Regulatory Inspections

What Are Stormwater Inspections?

Stormwater inspections evaluate the condition and performance of stormwater control measures (SCMs) such as detention ponds, retention basins, inlets, outlets, and underground systems. These inspections identify sediment buildup, erosion, structural damage, and drainage issues that can impact system performance and regulatory compliance.

Stormwater Inspection Requirements in North Carolina

Stormwater inspections are required across North Carolina to ensure compliance with NCDEQ regulations, NPDES permits, and local municipal stormwater programs. These inspections help identify system deficiencies, prevent pollution, and maintain proper function of stormwater control measures.

Stormwater Inspection Services

Stormwater Inspections

Stormwater inspections evaluate the overall condition and performance of detention ponds, retention basins, inlets, outlets, pipes, and storm drain infrastructure. These inspections identify sediment buildup, structural damage, erosion, and blockages that can compromise hydraulic capacity and water quality treatment. Routine stormwater system inspections help prevent flooding, protect downstream properties, and extend the lifespan of stormwater control measures (SCMs). Proper documentation and corrective action ensure continued compliance with local, state, and federal stormwater regulations.

Stormwater inspection of detention pond, outlet structure, and drainage system for regulatory compliance.

Annual stormwater inspection of retention basin and storm drain infrastructure with documented compliance checklist.

Annual Stormwater Inspections

Annual stormwater inspections assess post-construction stormwater systems to verify they are functioning as designed and meeting permit requirements. These evaluations include reviewing pond embankments, outlet structures, energy dissipators, vegetative cover, and sediment accumulation levels. Identifying deficiencies early allows property owners to schedule necessary maintenance and avoid costly structural failures. Annual inspections provide documented proof of compliance for HOAs, commercial properties, and regulated facilities.

SWPPP Inspections

SWPPP inspections are conducted on active construction sites to ensure erosion and sediment control measures are properly installed and maintained in accordance with the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan. Inspectors evaluate silt fencing, inlet protection, construction entrances, sediment basins, and stabilization practices to prevent off-site sediment discharge. Regular site inspections reduce the risk of NPDES permit violations, fines, and project delays. Consistent monitoring ensures compliance while protecting receiving waters from sediment and pollutant runoff.

SWPPP inspection on active construction site reviewing erosion control measures and sediment barriers.

CCTV camera inspection of underground stormwater pipe to identify cracks, joint failure, and blockages.

CCTV Pipe Inspections

CCTV pipe inspections use specialized camera equipment to evaluate the internal condition of underground stormwater conveyance systems. This technology identifies cracks, joint separation, root intrusion, corrosion, sediment buildup, and structural collapse without excavation. Video documentation allows for accurate diagnosis and targeted repair planning, reducing unnecessary digging and restoration costs. Routine CCTV inspections improve system reliability, prevent sinkholes, and support long-term stormwater infrastructure management.

Certified Stormwater Inspector and Professional Engineer (PE)

Our Certified Stormwater Inspector and Professional Engineer (PE) inspection services provide advanced technical evaluations to ensure stormwater systems meet design standards, regulatory requirements, and long-term performance expectations. Certified inspections assess detention ponds, outlet structures, storm drain networks, erosion control measures, and structural components for compliance with NPDES permits and local stormwater ordinances. Professional Engineer inspections offer detailed reporting, deficiency identification, and engineered repair recommendations when structural integrity, hydraulic performance, or permit compliance is in question. These expert-level inspections deliver defensible documentation, reduce liability, and ensure stormwater management systems remain compliant, functional, and properly maintained.

Certified stormwater inspector and Professional Engineer conducting compliance inspection of detention pond and outlet structure.

Routine stormwater maintenance and inspection of detention pond, inlet, and outlet structures for compliance.

Routine Stormwater Maintenance and Inspections

Routine stormwater maintenance and inspections are essential to ensure detention ponds, inlets, outlets, pipes, and storm drain systems operate as designed. Regular inspections identify sediment buildup, erosion, structural damage, vegetation overgrowth, and hydraulic deficiencies before they lead to costly repairs or regulatory violations. Scheduled maintenance preserves storage capacity, maintains proper drawdown times, and supports compliance with NPDES permits and municipal stormwater requirements. Proactive routine service protects water quality, reduces flooding risks, and extends the lifespan of stormwater infrastructure..

Stormwater Systems We Inspect

Above-Ground Stormwater SCM Inspections

Above-Ground Stormwater SCMs
CMS performs professional inspections of above-ground stormwater SCMs to ensure proper functionality, regulatory compliance, sediment control, structural stability, and optimal stormwater management performance for properties.

Bioretention Basin
CMS conducts detailed inspections of bioretention basins to verify stormwater filtration performance, vegetation health, soil media condition, and proper drainage for effective stormwater treatment.

Bioretention Cells (Rain Gardens)
CMS performs inspections of bioretention cells and rain gardens to ensure stormwater infiltration capacity, healthy vegetation growth, sediment control, and proper function within stormwater management systems.

Constructed Wetlands
CMS conducts inspections of constructed wetlands to evaluate stormwater treatment efficiency, vegetation density, sediment accumulation, hydraulic flow patterns, and long-term stormwater system performance.

Debris Collection Devices
CMS performs inspections of debris collection devices to ensure effective stormwater trash capture, structural integrity, blockage prevention, and proper operation within stormwater drainage infrastructure.

Dry Detention Ponds
CMS conducts inspections of dry extended detention ponds to verify stormwater storage capacity, outlet structure performance, sediment accumulation levels, and overall compliance with stormwater regulations.

Green Roof
CMS performs inspections of green roof stormwater systems to evaluate drainage layers, vegetation health, stormwater retention performance, waterproofing integrity, and compliance with sustainable stormwater management practices.

Level Spreader – Filter Strips
CMS conducts inspections of level spreaders and filter strips to ensure uniform stormwater distribution, vegetation coverage, erosion prevention, and effective stormwater runoff treatment performance.

Outfalls
CMS performs inspections of stormwater outfalls to assess structural stability, erosion conditions, discharge flow patterns, and compliance with environmental stormwater management requirements.

Permeable Pavement Systems
CMS conducts inspections of permeable pavement systems to verify stormwater infiltration performance, surface permeability, sediment clogging conditions, and proper function within stormwater management infrastructure.

Permeable Pavers
CMS performs inspections of permeable paver stormwater systems to ensure infiltration capacity, joint stability, sediment control, and long-term stormwater drainage performance.

Retention Ponds
CMS conducts inspections of retention ponds to evaluate stormwater storage capacity, embankment stability, outlet structure function, sediment accumulation, and overall stormwater management compliance.

Sand Filter System (Aboveground)
CMS performs inspections of aboveground sand filter stormwater systems to ensure filtration media performance, sediment removal efficiency, structural integrity, and proper stormwater treatment functionality.

Vegetated Treatment Swales
CMS performs inspections of vegetated treatment swales to ensure stormwater conveyance efficiency, vegetation health, erosion prevention, and effective stormwater runoff filtration.

Underground Stormwater SCM Inspections

Catch Basins
CMS conducts inspections of catch basins to identify sediment buildup, debris accumulation, drainage blockages, and ensure proper stormwater collection and conveyance within stormwater infrastructure.

Hydrodynamic Separators
CMS performs inspections of hydrodynamic separators to evaluate internal sediment accumulation, debris capture efficiency, structural integrity, and overall stormwater treatment performance.

Infiltration Trenches / Infiltration Systems
CMS conducts inspections of infiltration trenches and infiltration systems to verify stormwater infiltration capacity, sediment clogging conditions, drainage performance, and regulatory compliance.

Proprietary Filtration Devices (e.g., StormFilter)
CMS performs inspections of proprietary filtration devices such as StormFilter systems to ensure cartridge performance, sediment capture efficiency, and reliable stormwater treatment operation.

Rainwater Harvesting Systems
CMS conducts inspections of rainwater harvesting systems to evaluate storage tank condition, filtration components, stormwater capture efficiency, and proper operation within stormwater management systems.

Sand Filter Systems (Underground)
CMS performs inspections of underground sand filter stormwater systems to verify filtration media performance, sediment accumulation levels, and structural condition of stormwater treatment chambers.

Storm Sewer Systems
CMS conducts inspections of storm sewer systems to assess pipe condition, sediment accumulation, flow capacity, structural integrity, and proper stormwater conveyance.

Stormwater Chamber System
CMS performs inspections of stormwater chamber systems to verify storage capacity, sediment buildup, structural stability, and effective stormwater detention performance.

Underground Detention Pipe Systems (CMP/HDPE)
CMS conducts inspections of underground detention pipe systems constructed from CMP or HDPE to evaluate structural integrity, sediment accumulation, and stormwater storage performance.

Underground Detention Vaults (Concrete)
CMS performs inspections of underground concrete detention vaults to assess structural condition, sediment accumulation, flow control structures, and stormwater detention capacity.

Routine/Quarterly Inspections

CMS provides routine quarterly stormwater inspections to evaluate stormwater control measures, verify BMP functionality, ensure regulatory compliance, and identify sediment buildup, erosion, or drainage issues.

Our inspectors document stormwater infrastructure conditions, photograph deficiencies, and recommend maintenance actions to maintain stormwater management system performance, protect water quality, and meet municipal compliance requirements.

Post-Storm Inspections

CMS conducts post-storm stormwater inspections after significant rainfall events to evaluate stormwater control measures, detect erosion, sediment displacement, flooding impacts, and structural damage affecting system performance.

Our stormwater specialists assess drainage structures, detention basins, conveyance systems, and BMP components to ensure proper operation, regulatory compliance, and long-term stormwater management effectiveness.

Annual Certified Inspections

CMS performs annual certified stormwater inspections conducted by qualified stormwater professionals to evaluate stormwater BMP functionality, structural integrity, maintenance needs, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Our certified inspectors provide detailed stormwater inspection reports, compliance verification, maintenance recommendations, and documentation required by municipalities, permitting authorities, and environmental regulations.

As-Built/Final Inspections

CMS conducts as-built and final stormwater inspections to verify stormwater control measures are constructed according to approved engineering plans, specifications, and stormwater management permits.

Our inspection team confirms proper installation of drainage infrastructure, detention systems, and stormwater BMPs, ensuring compliance with design standards before project closeout or regulatory approval.

Remedial/Repair Inspections

CMS performs remedial and repair stormwater inspections to identify damaged stormwater infrastructure, failing BMPs, sediment accumulation, and drainage deficiencies requiring corrective maintenance or rehabilitation.

Our stormwater inspection specialists evaluate repair effectiveness, verify stormwater system functionality, and ensure remediation actions restore stormwater management performance and regulatory compliance.

Key Types of SCM Inspections

CMS excels in professional stormwater inspection services, ensuring stormwater control measures (SCMs) operate efficiently and remain compliant with local, state, and federal regulations. Our team delivers expert stormwater management inspections, compliance monitoring, and BMP performance evaluations to protect water quality and prevent costly violations. CMS provides reliable, data-driven stormwater inspection solutions for municipalities, HOAs, commercial properties, and developers seeking regulatory compliance and environmental protection.