Field Inlets
Your field inlet is the last part of your stormwater facility to trap sediment and pollutants. Maintaining your field inlet, or grated inlet, should be done periodically and can usually be performed with common tools. This helps protect water quality by keeping sediment and pollutants out of the storm sewer system, which usually drains directly to nearby streams.
Where to find it:
Field inlets are usually near the end of a stormwater facility. Look for a large metal grate surrounded by grass.
When to maintain it:
Maintain in late spring and late fall, after leaves have fallen and the weather is dry.
What you'll need:
- work gloves
- containers lined with trash bags
- rake
- post-hole digger, shovel and/or wet-dry vacuum
You may need:
Before:
This field inlet is covered with debris and full
of sediment.
After:
This field inlet is clear of debris and sediment
has been removed.
Step 1
Remove surrounding vegetation, if necessary.
Clear debris from grate.
Step 2
Remove grate using proper lifting technique
and set aside. CAUTION - grate is heavy.
Step 3
Use a shovel, post-hole digger or wet-dry
vacuum to remove sediment.
Step 4
Reinstall grate, bag sediment and dispose
in the trash. DO NOT put in yard waste cart or
home compost.
Printable maintenance card
Note: Information from rack card is replicated on webpage.
Facilities commonly associated with field inlets:
Detention Pond
Swale
Infiltration Basin
Wetpond
Treatment Wetland