HOA Stormwater Resources

The City of Waukee follows many stormwater best practices to help manage runoff and improve local water quality. Many developments or neighborhoods have a stormwater detention basin, which may be dry or wet. If you have a pond or dry detention basin that your HOA is responsible for, these resources can help you understand the requirements and responsibilities you have to maintain it. We also have our Stormwater Grant Program which can help with certain improvements to prevent erosion and enhance water quality. Scroll down or go to YouTube to watch a recorded information session on how to manage a stormwater pond or basin. 

City of Waukee Stormwater Management Detention Maintenance Covenant
This legal document is signed at the time the Final Plat is completed. It lists responsibilities for proper maintenance and inspection reporting.

Post Construction Ordinance
The City of Waukee has requirements to follow to stay compliant with its MS4 permit from the Iowa DNR. This ordinance establishes the framework for the installation, inspection, maintenance and enforcement procedures for post-construction stormwater facilities.

Wet and Dry Basins Brochure
This is a helpful overview of the components of a basin. You can use this as a beginner guide to start a discussion and educate residents about ponds.

Stormwater Facility Inspection Form
This PDF is fillable, or you can print and write by hand. It helps you record all the necessary information for a stormwater inspection. Keep copies of this filled form in your records. As we make updates to the form, we will update the link here. 

Condensed Inspection and Maintenance Guide for Stormwater BMPs
This has pictures and information on best practices you can use to address stormwater runoff and improve water quality, including checklists for things you may see while inspecting these practices.

Excerpts from the Iowa Stormwater Management Manual (ISWMM)
The City of Waukee adopted this as the standard for stormwater management practices in late 2020. The linked sections below oultine suggested maintenance activities throughout the lifecycle of each type of basin, including a summary of items to inspect and recommended timing for inspections.

City of Waukee Stormwater Grant Program
The City offers financial help to property owners and HOA boards to complete stormwater best practices that reduce erosion along your basin, improve soil quality to reduce run-off and other improvements. You must apply for the grant before starting work.

HOA Stormwater Toolkit
This document is a useful overview of what a homeowners association (HOA) needs to know to properly manage stormwater practices in their control. The toolkit includes guidance on how to identify what your HOA owns, the function of stormwater ponds, maintenance requirements and budgeting for maintenance.

Other helpful sources of information

  • Iowa Stormwater Education Partnership (ISWEP): Nonprofit organization supporting effective, compliant local stormwater management programs that offers guidance, resources and tips to ensure local communities are in compliance with federal requirements and can protect water resources
  • Rain Campaign: local organization in the Des Moines metro that shares tips, resources and guidance on actions to improve the water quality of our local creeks, rivers, ponds, and lakes.
  • Waukee Stormwater Department: Email or call if you have questions or concerns about your basin/pond at stormwater@waukee.org or 515-978-7920.

How to Manage Your Pond/Basin Information Session

Iowa Stormwater Education Partnership and Waukee Public Works hosted an information session for property owners, HOA board members and property managers in February 2025. This session covers how stormwater basins work, what the City of Waukee requires for inspections and helpful tips on what to look for when inspecting your basin or pond. View the slides here. The file is on the larger size, so it may take a minute or two to open or download.