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Excerpts from "Best Management Practices for Mosquito Control in California", California Department of Public Health, Vector-Borne Disease Section, 2010 Mosquito Control BMPs for Stormwater Management and Associated Infrastructure Federal and state environmental regulations require mitigation of the harmful effects of runoff water from storms, irrigation or other sources prior to entering natural waterways from point and non-point sources. Mitigation may include water capture, slowing flow velocity, reducing volume, and removal of pollutants. The term "stormwater" is used as a generic term for runoff water, regardless of source. Stormwater infrastructure typically includes conveyance systems (e.g. drain inlets, catch basins, pipes, and channels), storage and infiltration systems (e.g. flood control basins, percolation basins), and more recently, structural treatment devices designed and installed specifically to remove suspended and dissolved pollutants from runoff (e.g., vegetated swales, dry detention basins, ponds and constructed wetlands, media filtration devices, and trash capturing devices). The size and variability of stormwater infrastructure, inconsistent quantity and timing of water flows, and propensity to carry and accumulate sediment, trash, and debris, makes these systems highly conducive to holding areas of standing water ideal for production of mosquitoes. Identification of the potential mosquito sources (often belowground) found within stormwater infrastructure is often more difficult than the solutions needed to minimize mosquitoes. Some of the information within this section has been adapted from Metzger (2004). General Stormwater Management Mosquito Control BMPs ❑ Manage sprinkler and irrigation systems to minimize runoff entering stormwater infrastructure. ❑ Avoid intentionally running water into stormwater systems by not washing sidewalks and driveways, washing cars on streets or driveways, etc. ❑ Inspect facilities weekly during warm weather for the presence of standing water or immature mosquitoes. ❑ Remove emergent vegetation and debris from gutters and channels that accumulate water. ❑ Consider mosquito production during the design, construction, and maintenance of stormwater infrastructure. ❑ Design and maintain systems to fully discharge captured water in 96 hours or less. ❑ Include access for maintenance in system design. 1