Pinon Creek

Sedimentation Pond FAQ

What, Why, and How it impacts all of us

What are those concrete ponds in our neighborhood, and that one at the corner of Evans and Roan Park?

They are sedimetation/filtration basins, and are required as of approximately 1999 for all new development over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone.

What do they do?

They are intended to collect runoff, and both clean it up and slow it down, so that it can reduce flooding and keep the water that recharges the Edwards as clean.

Why do we have them?

It's a requirement of state regulations, specifically those under TCEQ. However, exactly who is in charge is a little fuzzy, with the state (via TCEQ), the city, the Edwards Aquifer Authority, and SAWS having various roles.

Other places around here don't have them, why do we?

Usually one of two reasons: either the development was permitted before the regulations went into effect, or they had clever folks who found a way around them. The developer here was not so fortunate.

So why should I care?

Because it will cost you. As a common property, the homeowner's association is responsible for the maintenance of the ponds, and maybe even some or all the liability. This means we have to pay to get them cleaned out regularly, etc., and may be responsible if someone gets hurt there. So:
- Don't dump chemicals, extra fertilizer, oil, etc. into the street or anywhere it will get washed into the basins. Too many chemicals, and the mud in there gets classified as hazardous waste which will cost us more to dispose of.
- Discourage kids and others from playing/investigating in or around the basins. They can be dangerous, and we don't want anyone hurt.

They are ugly to look at and I bet they breed all sorts of pests.

Can't argue too much with you there. We can keep pests down by making sure they are maintained so there isn't standing water to breed mosquitos adn attract critters. We can also work on keeping the brush down around them to not make it attractive to the aforementioned critters. Right now there is no sign of any infestations, but we are keeping our eyes out.

But there is standing water! And big weeds!

Ay, and there's the rub. We don't formally have responsibility for the basins, that belongs to the developer. And all indications are that they have rarely, if ever, been maintained. And to complicate matters further, the city actually owns the land for at least 2 of the three basins. So until that mess gets cleared up, all we can do is try to make our concerns known to the developer, both directly and through contacts with local health officials and SAWS.

This page was last updated on 8/31/2004.