Aboveground Stormwater Control Measures (SCMs)

Stormwater Management Solutions

Aboveground stormwater control measures (SCMs) are essential components of commercial and residential stormwater management systems across North Carolina. Designed to treat stormwater runoff, improve water quality, reduce peak discharge rates, and prevent downstream flooding, these systems play a critical role in regulatory compliance. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ) requires proper inspection and ongoing performance of permitted SCMs to maintain compliance with state stormwater regulations.

When aboveground stormwater systems are not properly inspected and managed, sediment accumulation, vegetation overgrowth, erosion, and structural deficiencies can significantly reduce treatment efficiency. CMS provides professional stormwater inspection, rehabilitation, and compliance support services throughout North Carolina to ensure your above-ground SCMs operate as designed and meet all permit requirements.

Aboveground Stormwater Devices

Request a Consultation

Aboveground SCM Types

Wet Ponds

Wet ponds are permanent pool stormwater basins designed to remove sediment, nutrients, and pollutants while controlling peak runoff rates in North Carolina commercial and residential developments. CMS provides stormwater pond inspections, dredging coordination, structural evaluations, and compliance documentation to ensure wet ponds meet NC DEQ stormwater permit requirements.

Stormwater Wetlands

Stormwater wetlands are shallow treatment systems that use wetland vegetation to enhance nutrient removal and improve stormwater water quality performance. CMS assists with inspection, sediment assessment, vegetation management oversight, and structural restoration to maintain regulatory compliance and long-term treatment efficiency.

Bioretention Cells (Rain Gardens)

Bioretention cells filter stormwater runoff through engineered soil media and vegetation to achieve nutrient reduction and infiltration standards required in North Carolina. CMS performs system evaluations, soil media assessments, drainage corrections, and compliance reporting to preserve stormwater functionality.

Dry Detention Ponds

Dry extended detention ponds temporarily store stormwater runoff and release it at controlled rates to reduce flooding and downstream channel erosion. CMS conducts detention basin inspections, sediment evaluations, and outlet structure assessments to maintain peak flow control and permit compliance.

Permeable Pavement Systems

Permeable pavement allows stormwater to infiltrate through the surface into an underlying stone reservoir, reducing runoff volume and improving groundwater recharge. CMS evaluates infiltration performance and provides stormwater system assessments to ensure continued compliance with North Carolina stormwater standards.

Vegetated Treatment Swales

Vegetated treatment swales convey and filter stormwater runoff while reducing flow velocity and promoting sediment removal. CMS inspects grading, vegetation coverage, and hydraulic performance to ensure proper stormwater conveyance and regulatory compliance.

Level Spreader – Filter Strips

Level spreaders distribute concentrated stormwater discharge into sheet flow across vegetated filter strips to prevent erosion and enhance pollutant removal. CMS evaluates grading accuracy and flow distribution to maintain effective water quality treatment and compliance with NC stormwater permits.

Above Ground SCM Maintenance, Repairs, and Inspections

Stormwater Maintenance – Aboveground SCM Devices

Routine maintenance of aboveground stormwater control measures (SCMs) such as bioretention areas, detention ponds, sand filters, and vegetated swales ensures these systems function as originally designed. Services include debris removal, sediment cleanout, vegetation management, erosion repair, and outlet structure cleaning to maintain proper flow and treatment capacity. CMS provides proactive maintenance programs that protect water quality, prevent system failures, and keep facilities operating efficiently year-round.

Compliance, Longevity & Sustainability:
Consistent maintenance helps property owners remain compliant with state and local stormwater permits by ensuring SCMs meet performance standards. Removing sediment buildup and correcting minor issues early extends the service life of infrastructure and prevents costly rehabilitation. Properly maintained systems improve pollutant removal, reduce downstream impacts, and support long-term environmental sustainability goals.

Vegetation management at stormwater retention pond

CMS repairing damaged stormwater pipe and drainage infrastructure

Stormwater Repairs – Aboveground SCM Devices

Stormwater repair services address structural damage, erosion, failing outlet structures, compromised embankments, and deteriorated components within aboveground SCMs. Timely repairs restore hydraulic performance and prevent minor deficiencies from escalating into major failures. CMS evaluates system conditions and implements targeted repair solutions to return SCMs to full operational capacity.

Compliance, Longevity & Sustainability:
Prompt repairs help maintain regulatory compliance by correcting deficiencies often cited during inspections. Restoring structural integrity protects the long-term durability of the asset and reduces the risk of emergency replacements. Sustainable repair practices preserve existing infrastructure, reduce waste, and ensure continued water quality treatment performance.

Stormwater Inspection – Aboveground SCM Devices

Professional inspection of aboveground SCMs includes detailed visual assessments, sediment measurements, structural evaluations, and documentation of overall system performance. Regular inspections identify developing issues such as clogging, erosion, vegetation overgrowth, or structural deterioration before they compromise function. CMS provides thorough inspection reporting to support maintenance planning and regulatory documentation requirements.

Compliance, Longevity & Sustainability:
Routine inspections are critical for meeting permit requirements and demonstrating due diligence to regulatory agencies. Early detection of deficiencies reduces long-term repair costs and maximizes the lifespan of stormwater assets. By ensuring systems operate efficiently, inspections contribute to sustainable watershed protection and responsible environmental stewardship.

Certified SWPPP inspector conducting stormwater compliance inspection with erosion and sediment control measures on active construction site

Stormwater Systems We Maintain

Aboveground Stormwater SCMs

Above-ground stormwater SCMs such as wet ponds, bioretention basins, vegetated swales, and permeable pavement systems manage stormwater runoff by slowing flow, promoting infiltration, and removing pollutants before discharge. Proper inspection, maintenance, and repair of above-ground stormwater control measures are essential to maintain hydraulic capacity, prevent erosion, and ensure long-term stormwater compliance in North Carolina.

Above-Ground Stormwater SCMs
CMS performs routine inspection, cleaning, vegetation management, sediment removal, and structural repairs to maintain above-ground stormwater SCMs, ensuring reliable performance, regulatory compliance, and long-term drainage function.

Bioretention Basin
CMS provides maintenance for bioretention basins including sediment removal, plant care, mulch replacement, inlet and outlet inspection, and routine cleaning to ensure proper stormwater filtration.

Bioretention Cells (Rain Gardens)
CMS maintains bioretention cells and rain gardens through vegetation care, debris removal, soil media management, and inlet inspection to support effective stormwater treatment and drainage performance.

Constructed Wetlands
CMS conducts maintenance for constructed wetlands including vegetation management, sediment removal, debris clearing, and outlet inspection to preserve stormwater treatment capacity and ecological function.

Debris Collection Devices
CMS maintains debris collection devices by removing accumulated trash, sediment, and pollutants while inspecting structural components to ensure reliable stormwater flow and pollution control.

Dry Detention Ponds
CMS performs maintenance on dry extended detention ponds including mowing, sediment removal, outlet structure inspection, and debris clearing to maintain proper stormwater storage and drainage.

Green Roof
CMS maintains green roof stormwater systems through vegetation care, drainage inspection, debris removal, and routine system checks to ensure efficient stormwater retention and roof protection.

Level Spreader – Filter Strips
CMS maintains level spreaders and filter strips by clearing sediment, repairing grading, managing vegetation, and ensuring even stormwater distribution for effective runoff filtration.

Outfalls
CMS performs maintenance on stormwater outfalls through debris removal, erosion inspection, structural repairs, and sediment clearing to maintain proper discharge and system stability.

Permeable Pavement Systems
CMS maintains permeable pavement systems through vacuum sweeping, sediment removal, joint inspection, and surface repairs to preserve stormwater infiltration and pavement performance.

Permeable Pavers
CMS performs maintenance on permeable pavers including joint cleaning, vacuum sweeping, debris removal, and surface inspection to maintain effective stormwater infiltration and pavement durability.

Retention Ponds
CMS maintains retention ponds through vegetation management, sediment removal, inlet and outlet inspection, and debris clearing to support continuous stormwater storage and treatment.

Sand Filter System (Aboveground)
CMS performs maintenance on aboveground sand filter systems including sediment removal, filter media inspection, debris clearing, and structural checks to maintain effective stormwater treatment.

Vegetated Treatment Swales
CMS maintains vegetated treatment swales through mowing, sediment removal, vegetation management, and debris clearing to support effective stormwater conveyance and filtration.