Listed in Asset Management
Stormwater infrastructure is one of the most overlooked yet essential components of a municipality’s public works inventory. Culverts, catch basins, dry wells, and swales might not make headlines, but they quietly prevent flooding, protect roads, and keep pollution out of local waterways. And yet, in many towns, the locations and conditions of these installations remain undocumented, tucked away in someone’s memory or scattered across handwritten notes and outdated spreadsheets.
This is a risky way to operate.
Some municipalities have hundreds, if not thousands, of stormwater installations. Without a reliable, centralized record of where these assets are located, how can a town possibly inspect, maintain, or replace them efficiently? The answer is: they can’t. And the consequences can be serious; blocked culverts, collapsed basins, road washouts, and even MS4 violations if you're a regulated community.
The Value of Asset Management
An asset management system doesn’t just keep a list of stormwater structures. It becomes the foundation of a proactive maintenance strategy. Here’s how:
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Location, Location, Location: With each installation geo-tagged, you’ll never again have to rely on institutional memory or hunt through decades-old maps.
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Track Condition Over Time: Documenting inspections, repairs, and replacements allows your department to prioritize work based on need, not guesswork.
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Budget Smarter: Knowing how many assets you have, their condition, and their lifecycle costs makes it easier to plan budgets and justify funding requests.
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Respond Faster: When flooding or a blockage occurs, you can quickly identify what infrastructure is in the area, who last worked on it, and what materials are needed for repairs.
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Stay Compliant: For towns under MS4 permits, tracking stormwater installations is not just good practice. It’s often a legal requirement.
A Cautionary Note
Failing to maintain an updated record of stormwater infrastructure doesn’t just lead to maintenance headaches. It increases liability. A collapsed culvert that was never recorded or inspected becomes a major risk, both physically and legally.
Make the Shift
Transitioning to an asset management system might feel daunting, especially if you’re starting with paper files or scattered records. But the payoff is immense. You’ll transform your department from reactive to proactive - saving time, money, and headaches along the way.
In short: if you don’t know where your stormwater installations are, how can you possibly maintain them? An asset management system makes sure you do.