Stormwater BMP Certification

The City has initiated a Stormwater Best Management Practice (BMP) compliance certification program. In 1997 the Common Council adopted an Ordinance requiring BMP maintenance and certification. Stormwater management has been, and continues to be, a high priority for the City. This initiative is intended to improve stormwater runoff in your neighborhood, as well as for the downstream property owners. Residential and Commercial developments are notified prior to final plat or occupancy how the program works and the various requirements.

All stormwater BMP(s) must be inspected and certified, by a State of Wisconsin Professional Engineer or Registered Land Surveyor, to certify that the BMP(s) complies with the original design standards. The owner is responsible for the proper maintenance and operation of the BMP(s). This certification ensures that the stormwater ponds are operating as designed to limit pollutant transport and flooding of down stream properties and area waters.

Completed BMP Compliance Reports can be sent to engineering@ci.mequon.wi.us.

Contact - Cole McCraw, Assistant City Engineer (262) 236-2957 with any questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are the new residential and non-residential developments certified?

New Stormwater BMPs are certified as a condition of final plat approval or occupancy and are re-certified every fifth year thereafter. A Drainage Letter of Credit is required prior to a building permit for residential and commercial construction. The stormwater facilities are re-certified as a condition of releasing the Letter of Credit.

Category: Pond Certification

What are the goals and objectives of the compliance certification program?

The goal is to establish a field data collection and office review process that results in consistent, concise, and documented certification of existing stormwater BMP facilities in the City. The stormwater BMPs will be inspected for performance and maintenance deficiencies and compared with the approved plans to ensure they are still functioning as approved and providing the level of down stream protection that is expected.

Category: Pond Certification

Why has the City implemented this program?

It is the City’s intent to initiate a certification and re-certification of over 300 stormwater BMP's throughout the City. The certification process ensures that the BMP's are being properly maintained and operated to ensure adequate performance. If it is found that the BMP's don’t meet the approved performance standards, or if adequate maintenance or operation is not being performed, the City will then take appropriate action on these drainage facilities to ensure their optimal performance.

Category: Pond Certification

What maintenance am I responsible for?

Most developments have a Stormwater Maintenance and Easement Agreement that defines the requirements. The agreements are recorded with the Ozaukee County Register of Deeds.

Category: Pond Certification

Our development has more than one detention pond, how will it be charged? What is our cost share of the project?

The BMP owner must hire an independent Professional Engineer or Registered Land Surveyor to certify that the Stormwater BMP complies with the original design standards. The consultant's cost can range depending on the size of the BMP(s). Location of the consultant and many other factors specific to each consultant firm.

In addition to the fees charged by the consultant, the City will charge a fee of $100/hour to review the pond certification reports for completeness and accuracy and to administer the program. Stormwater BMP owners may contact the City for a list of consultants familiar with the City's certification requirements which should minimize City review time and related charges.

Category: Pond Certification

How often is the recertification required?

Stormwater BMP recertification is required every five years.

Category: Pond Certification

What datum should be used on the forms?

The datum should match the original vertical datum wherever possible. The vertical datum shall be indicated on the certification form.

Category: Pond Certification

Which certification form should I use?

The type of BMP dictates the type of form:

WP = Wet Pond                                                                                                                          RG = Rain Garden
DP = Dry Pond                                                                                                                           TR = Turf
OC = Outlet Control Structure (includes filtering manhole structures)                            PP = Pervious Pavement
BIO/BF = Bio-Filtration device                                                                                                  CI = Cistern
UG = Underground Detention

Category: Pond Certification

There isn't a form for my specific BMP, what do I do?

Contact the City Engineer for further direction. Kristen Lundeen 262-236-2938

Category: Pond Certification

My pond is non-compliant, now what?

City staff will contact you to work out a compliance schedule. Once repairs are made, the stormwater BMP will likely need re-inspection by the certifier to confirm compliance.

Category: Pond Certification