Instructions to Inspect and Maintain Infiltration

Trench with/without Underdrain

1. Description of LID
The infiltration trench captures and temporarily stores the stormwater allowing it to pass
through a filter bed of sand media. Filtered runoff collected will infiltrate into the soil and can
be returned to the storm drain system.

Design variants include:

 Non-structural sand filter
 Surface sand filter
 Perimeter sand filter
Infiltration trench are used to treat stormwater runoff from small impervious sites. Infiltration
trench filters water, temporarily stores, and treats stormwater runoff by passing it through an
engineered filter media and infiltrating to the natural system. The filter consists of two systems:
the first is devoted to settling and the second serves as a filter bed consisting of a sand filter
media. Stormwater infiltration trenches are a versatile option because they consume very little
surface land and have few site restrictions.

Figure 1. Typical of a Infiltration Trench Design

The primary purpose of maintaining your infiltration trench is to meet the City of Redding small
municipal general permit requirements and manage run-off keeping, reduce the chance of
flooding, and our water clean by using natural processes. Please complete the attached
inspection form and perform required maintenance then fill out the self-certification form and
return to the City of Redding at the address provided.

Use the following address:

City of Redding
Public Works Department
ATT: Michael Callen
PO Box 496071
Redding, CA 96001
If you have any questions please contact Michael Callen at (530) 225-4421.

2. Infiltration LID Inspection

Instructions for inspections:
1. Appearance: Is the site untidy with weeds or other unwanted plants?
2. Trash and Debris: Has trash, plant litter, or dead leaves accumulated?
3. Vegetation: Is the grass excessively tall, (over 10 inches)?
4. Vegetation: Is vegetation growing across and blocking the basin opening?
5. Vegetation: Is there loss of turf or ground cover?
6. Filter bed: Is the filter bed clean and level?
7. Pest Control: Are there burrows, dead animals or insect damage to the area?
8. Inlets/Outlet: Is there areas undercut or eroded at the inlet or outlet structures? Are
the inlets clean, free of debris, plants and obstruction?
9. Erosion: Is the contributing drainage area and side-slopes stabilize to prevent erosion?
10. Sediment and Debris: Is there accumulation of sediment and debris across site?
11. Structural Integrity: Does any of the concrete structures such as outlets and joints have
concrete failures?
12. Flow spreader: During a rain event, check the flow spreader to see if the flow is evenly
spread.
13. Contaminants and Pollutions: Has the mulch or soil fouled having oil, grease or other
substances?
14. Infiltration test: Dig a small test pit in the filter bed to inspect the first 3 inches of sand.
Is there discoloration in the first 3 inches of sand?
15. Media clogging surface layer: Does the site have standing water after a storm for more
than 72 hours?
 16. Overflow, Underdrain & Perforated Pipe Maintenance: Check the overflow pipe to see
if the perforated pipe is draining is the underdrain clogged?

3. Infiltration LID Maintenance

General maintenance considerations:
1. Appearance: Remove weeds and unwanted plants.
2. Trash and Debris: Remove trash, plant litter and dead leaves accumulated.
3. Vegetation: Grass 10-inches tall or higher requires mowing.
4. Vegetation: Remove/prune the unhealthy plants and replace.
5. Vegetation: Replace sod or replant areas missing turf.
6. Filter bed: Clean and level the filter bed. Remove trash and debris from the filter bed.
Sand or gravel needs to be raked to a depth of 3 inches.
7. Pest Control: Do not use poison to control vermin. You may want to contact a
professional to manage pests.
8. Inlets/Outlet: Add rip rap (cobble rock) to reduce erosion and replace soil. Clean inlet
and outlet of debris, sediment plants, and obstructions.
9. Erosion: Stabilize drainage area and side-slopes to prevent erosion. Filters with a turf
cover should have complete vegetative cover.
10. Sediment and Debris: Remove sediment and debris from site.
11. Structural Integrity: Correct concrete structures and outlets spalling, joint failure, and
other concrete failures etc.
12. Flow spreader: If uneven flow or clogged remove debris and clean spreader to correct
for uniform distributed flow.
13. Contaminants and Pollutions: Replace mulch and soil media that is fouled and
contaminated.
14. Infiltration Test: Replace sand layer discolored to erosion matting. If soil/gravel media
under erosion matting is discolored/foiled, replace.
15. Media clogging surface layer: Lift surface layer (and filter fabric if installed) and check
for media to see if clogged with sediment.
16. Overflow, Underdrain & Perforated Pipe: Repair damaged areas and remove clog from
the pipe (you may have to contact a professional).
References
Center for Watershed Protection 2013. Stormwater Management Guide, District Department of
the Environment Watershed Protection Division, Water Planning Division. Ellicott City, MD. July
2013. Registration