Operations and Maintenance
Seattle Public Utilities has employed varies strategies for O&M of our vegetated systems since our program began in 1999. Initial projects relied heavily on homeowners to provide or supplement City maintenance. For any system installed by the City, SPU has the role of, at minimum, ensuring system functionality. Maintenance to achieve a desired level of aesthetic is encouraged of the adjacent property owner.
SPU Operations and Maintenance by the City
Minimum system functionality is defined as “Level of Service D” in the SPU O&M manual below. Drainage performance goals has increased the City’s commitment to “Level of Service B” for some projects. The following operations and maintenance packet components are used by SPU staff to identify and track O&M activities.
- NDS O&M Manual (pdf)
- NDS Field Checklist (pdf)
- NDS O&M KPI Reporting (pdf)
Operations and Maintenance by Property owners
For the High Point project a Memorandum of Agreement between SPU and Seattle Housing Authority to maintain the landscape using the following guidelines.
High Point Landscape Maintenance Guidelines (pdf)
Operations and Maintenance by Homeowners
As a means to encourage homeowner participation the City of Seattle developed the following materials.
- Practically Easy Landscape Manual: A Care Manual for Natural Drainage Systems, Fall 2006 Edition (pdf)
- Landscape Maintenance Calendar and Guide (pdf)
- Plant Identification (pdf)