Stormwater quality facilities are vegetated areas that that help manage stormwater in urban areas. These facilities are an integral part of the City of Albany’s efforts to protect and preserve the local water ways. Facilities like the ones along North Albany Road, Salem Avenue, and Broadalbin Street help reduce the amount of runoff and to treat polluted runoff before it reaches the creeks, rivers, and lakes.
Stormwater quality facilities are designed to mimic natural landscape features while minimizing hard surfaces, like parking lots. Treating stormwater with these landscaped features serves the double purpose of adding beauty to urban spaces and capturing and filtering stormwater.
The most common types of facilities are planters and swales, but there are also ponds, wetlands, and even underground facilities such as catch basins and vaults.
Public Facilities
The City owns and maintains over 375 stormwater facilities and more are being installed each year. Staff inspect the facilities annually to make sure they are working correctly and not causing any hazards for drivers. Weeding, replanting bare areas, and removal of sediment takes place whenever we find a facility in need.
Private Facilities
Each new development has stormwater facilities that treat stormwater from the property. City staff inspect private facilities annually and work with property owners to make any corrections needed.
Schedule an inspection
The City inspects private facilities with an O&M agreement.
To schedule an inspection, email
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact
Step 1
Locate the facilities on your property using this map. Click on the facility to determine if it is a swale, planter, pond, etc.
Step 2
Review the original planting plan for the facility. If you need a copy, please contact
Step 3
Step 4
Review the approved planting specifications for the City. If soil media is needed, make sure it is approved growing media for stormwater quality facilities.
