Storm Water Fact Sheet - Preventative Maintenance

Description
Preventative maintenance involves the regular inspection, testing and replacement or repair of equipment and operational systems. As a storm water best management practice, preventative maintenance should be used to monitor systems built to control storm water. These systems should be inspected to uncover cracks, leaks and other conditions that could cause breakdown .or failures of storm water migration structures and equipment. A preventative maintenance programme can prevent breakdowns and failures through adjustment, repair and replacement of equipment before major breakdown or failure occurs.

Typically, a preventative maintenance programme should include inspections of interceptors, manholes, storm gullies & channels and drainage runs. Without adequate maintenance, sediment and debris can quickly clog storm drainage facilities and render them useless.

Application

Preventative maintenance procedures and activities are applicable in almost all industrial and commercial facilities. This Concept should be part of a general good house keeping programme designed to maintain a clean and orderly work environment.

Advantage and Disadvantages

Preventative maintenance takes a proactive approach to storm water management and seeks to prevent problems before they occur. A preventative programme can:

• Improve water quality by controlling pollutant discharges
• Save money by reducing the likelihood of having a system breakdown
• Reduce the likelihood of costly clean up projects
• Reduce likelihood of costly work stoppages as a result of flooding

The primary limitations of implementing a preventative maintenance programme include:

• Availability of trained professional and reliable contractors
• Cost – however this could be greater in the future if the drains are neglected