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Public Works

Complete Streets Drainage Section

This Storm Drainage Maintenance plan establishes procedures for the inspection, operation, maintenance, repair and documentation of the City of Santa Fe’s stormwater drainage system. The plan supports compliance with the City Municipal Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit requirements under the federal Clean Water Act and helps reduce flooding, erosion, sedimentation, and water quality impacts to the Santa Fe River watershed.

  1. Maintain hydraulic capacity of storm drainage facilities.
  2. Reduce localized flooding and property damage.
  3. Prevent pollutants from entering waterways.
  4. Protect public safety and infrastructure.
  5. Extend the service life of drainage assets.
  6. Comply with MS4 permit and city ordinances.
Public Works
  1. Storm drain inspection.
  2. Inlet cleaning.
  3. Culvert maintenance.
  4. Channel maintenance.
  5. Emergency storm response.
  6. Record keeping and reporting.
  7. City owned and maintained facilities.
Private Property Owners

Privately owned stormwater facilities shall be maintained by the property owner or homeowners association unless dedicated and accepted by the City of Santa Fe.

Routine Inspections Storm Drain Inlets
Frequency
  1. Twice annually.
  2. Before monsoon season (June-October).
  3. After monsoon season (October-November).
Inspection Items
  1. Sediment accumulation.
  2. Trash and debris.
  3. Structural damage.
  4. Blockages.
  5. Erosion around structures.
Culverts
Frequency
  1. Annually.
  2. After storm events exceeding 1 inch rainfall in 24hr period.
Inspection Items
  1. Sediment build up.
  2. Pipe deterioration.
  3. Joint separation.
  4. Debris, obstructions.
  5. Scour at inlet and outlet.
Outfalls
Frequency
  1. Annually.
Inspection Items
  1. Erosion.
  2. Structural condition.
  3. Illicit discharge.
  4. Vegetation blockage.
  5. Sediment deposition.
Arroyos and Channels
Frequency
  1. Annually.
Inspection Items
  1. Bank erosion.
  2. Vegetation encroachment.
  3. Sediment accumulation.
  4. Obstructions.
  5. Channel stability.
Storm Drain Cleaning Trigger Criteria
  1. Sediment exceeds 25% of sump depth.
  2. Debris obstructs flow.
  3. Citizen complaint received.
Methods
  1. Vacuum truck cleaning.
  2. Mechanical removal (backhoe, front loader).
  3. Manual cleaning.
Culvert Maintenance Activities
  1. Remove debris and sediment.
  2. Repair damaged pipe.
  3. Stabilize inlet and outlet area.
  4. Install erosion control measures where needed.
Arroyo Maintenance Activities
  1. Remove excessive vegetation.
  2. Remove sediment bars reducing flow capacity.
  3. Repair erosion damage.
  4. Maintain channel geometry.

The City of Santa Fe currently conducts vegetation management along waterways to preserve stormwater flow capacity.

Storm Event Response Prior to Forecasted Heavy Rainfall
  1. Inspect known flood-prone areas.
  2. Clear critical inlets and culverts.
  3. Verify emergency equipment readiness.
  4. Coordinate with Emergency Management.
During Storm Events
  1. Monitor high-risk drainage infrastructure.
  2. Respond to flooding reports.
  3. Remove critical obstructions when safe.
  4. Deploy traffic control as necessary.
After Storm Event
  1. Conduct damage assessment.
  2. Document erosion and structure failures.
  3. Prioritize repairs.
  4. Update maintenance records.
Detention and Retention Facilities
  1. Annual sediment surveys.
  2. Vegetation management.
  3. Outlet structure inspections.

The city shall maintain records of:

  1. Inspection dates.
  2. Maintenance activities.
  3. Repair work orders.
  4. Citizen Complaints.
  5. Flood incidents.
  6. Illicit discharge investigations.
  7. MS4 reporting data.

Records shall be retained for a minimum of five years.

Maintenance funding should prioritize:

  1. Flood-prone drainage systems.
  2. Major culvert replacements.
  3. Equipment replacement.
  4. Regulatory compliance.

The City’s stormwater utility fees support operations, maintenance, drainage improvements, and MS4 compliance activities.

This Storm Drainage Maintenance Plan shall be reviewed annually by the public works department for updates as needed:

  1. New infrastructures assets.
  2. Flooding trends.