PCR Inspection Program
Pavement, rooftops, buildings, and other impervious surfaces disrupts the natural flow of water by not allowing water to infiltrate back into the ground. This causes stormwater runoff. Stormwater can collect debris, litter, sediment, oils and other pollutants in its path to the stormdrain, culvert, or creek. Stormwater is untreated and flows to our local waterways including creeks, rivers, lakes, and eventually, to the Monterey Bay. Post Construction Requirements, or PCRs, are stormwater treatment systems that are built to help offset the effects of development on the environment.
What is a Post Construction Requirement or PCR?
PCRs are stormwater treatment systems that help treat or retain stormwater from new development and redevelopment projects with impervious surfaces, like buildings, parking lots, sidewalks, and roads.
Types of PCRs
- Bioretention
- Detention/Retention Ponds
- Infiltration
- Permeable Pavement
- Sand Filter
- Vegetated Swale
- Constructed Wetland
Who?
The Watershed Protection Division is a division of the County's Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency (CEPA). The Division is responsible for meeting the requirements of State permits which regulate the discharge of rain water to local waterways.
What?
Watershed Protection Division staff inspects stormwater treatment systems to make sure they continue to work as intended and are maintained. If needed, we will identify corrective actions to ensure that those stormwater treatment systems continue to work. The Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Agreement associated with your property provides you information about the systems built on your property and how to maintain them.
Why?
Stormwater treatment systems are built to protect water quality and its beneficial uses. The County is required to educate property owners about their stormwater treatment systems and inspect these systems on a consistent basis.
When?
Watershed Protection Division staff may contact you in advance to schedule the inspection or you can schedule a self-certification inspection by sending an email to [email protected].
PCR Inspection Program
The County’s Watershed Protection Division is required to inspect PCRs to ensure they are maintained and working properly. Our primary goal is to work together with property owners so we can all have a safe, clean, and healthy environment. Inspections are intended to educate property owners on their stormwater treatment systems and how to properly maintain them. These inspections are required annually and can be performed by a WPD staff person or a property owner.
Our team only inspects stormwater treatment systems located in the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County. If you have any questions about the O&M or PCR Inspection Programs, or have recently received a notice from our office, please send an e-mail to [email protected] or call us at (408) 918-4609.