Storm Drain Inspection Checklist: Free PDF Download

What Does Our Storm Drain Inspection Checklist Include?

Our PDF storm drain inspection checklist includes the following sections:

General Information

• Client Name

• Address

• Date of Inspection

• Inspector Name

• Inspector ID/License Number

• Inspection Type

• Routine Maintenance

• Post-Storm

• New Installation

• Complaint / Fault Investigation

• Property Transfer Inspection

• Other: _______________

• Site Classification

• Residential

• Commercial

• Industrial

• Municipal / Institutional

• Drainage Structure Information

• Curb Inlet

• Grated Inlet

• Manhole

• Junction Box

• Outfall

• Other: _________________________

Nearby Water Body (if applicable): _________________________

Documentation & Compliance

Permits & Records

• Confirm that approved consent plans and permits are on-site

• Check that the drain-layer’s license is verified and current

• Ensure site-specific risk assessments and safety plans are available

• Verify that ‘as-laid’ drawings are provided or submitted

• Confirm that manufacturer specifications are available for all system components

Regulatory Compliance

• Check if the installation complies with local drainage codes

• Verify that the documentation aligns with the design and engineering drawings

• Check any alternative solutions or deviations documented and approved

Materials Review

Pipe System Components

• Check whether the pipes are made of approved materials (PVC, HDPE, etc.).

• Inspect the pipe diameter and ensure the class meets design specs

• Confirm that joints are primed, glued, or gasketed as per the manufacturer’s specs

Bedding and Support

• Ensure that proper bedding material (clean sand or crushed stone) is used

• Confirm that all pipes are fully supported along their length

• Ensure there are no sharp objects or debris in the bedding zone

Installation Inspection

Inlet and Outlet Structures

• Confirm the inlet structure is visible and accessible

• Test the grates/covers to ensure they are securely in place and undamaged

• Make sure no debris is blocking the inlet or outlet flow

• Check for signs of corrosion, cracks, or displaced parts

• Ensure there is no vegetation obstructing access or flow

• Verify that soak holes or dry wells are correct in diameter and depth

• Check if perforated pipes are installed in an approved gravel bed (if applicable)

• Test all drainage lines that discharge to confirm their approved outfall locations

Interior Structure Condition

• Check the walls for cracks, spalling, or exposed rebar

• Verify that pipes are properly aligned and securely connected

• Ensure there is no sediment buildup beyond acceptable limits

• Confirm that the flowline is clear and unblocked

Water Flow and Quality

• Ensure the flow is observed during inspection

• Check for signs of stagnant water or backup

• Verify that the water appears clear (no oily sheen or foul odor)

• Confirm that there is no evidence of illegal discharges or dumping

• Test for unusual color, turbidity, or foam

Standing water present? ☐ Yes ☐ No

Environmental & Safety Checks

• Remove all trash, leaves, or organic matter present

• Confirm that sediment does not exceed ⅓ of the pipe diameter

• Ensure a sediment control (e.g., silt fence) is in place and functioning

• Keep the system separate from the sanitary sewer (no cross-connection)

• Confirm that all pollution prevention measures are followed during installation

• Ensure manhole lids are secure and intact

• Check all frames and confirm that they show no signs of shifting or settlement

• Verify that there are no odors or visible gases escaping

Confined space entry required? ☐ Yes ☐ No

Final Assessment

• Satisfactory: No issues found

• Needs Maintenance: Minor repairs or cleaning needed

• Immediate Attention: Structural or flow issues present

Inspector Signature: ___________________

Date: ___________

Supervisor Review: ____________________

Review Date: ___________

Who Uses Storm Drain Inspection Checklists?

These types of professionals typically use a checklist for storm drain inspection:

• Public works departments that manage city-wide drainage systems and are responsible for routine infrastructure checks.

• Construction and civil engineering teams, especially those working on new developments, where stormwater management must meet strict codes.

• Facility and property managers for commercial or residential buildings that include private drainage or retention systems.

• Utility contractors and stormwater specialists who perform repairs, cleanouts, and camera inspections for local governments or private clients.

By following a structured checklist, these professionals can identify debris buildup, structural cracks, or flow problems in time, avoiding damage, liability, or flooding.

How Are Storm Drain Inspection Checklists Used?

Most field teams use these checklists during routine or seasonal maintenance. 

Depending on the location and weather patterns, storm drain inspections may be conducted monthly, quarterly, or after heavy storms. 

However, most systems benefit from at least two inspections per year, one before the rainy season and one after.

Let’s take a more in-depth look at how these storm drain inspection checklists are used and their limitations.

Uses

• Improved accuracy: These checklists ensure inspections are thorough and consistent, regardless of the team or site.

• Faster documentation: The checklists make it easy to log issues in real time.

• Better planning: They help you prioritize repairs and schedule cleanings before problems escalate.

• Compliance-ready: They create a clear record of inspection frequency and findings for audits or reporting.

Limitations

• Paper checklists can get lost: Without a digital system, data can be misplaced or difficult to organize.

• Lack of automation: Static forms don’t trigger follow-up actions or reminders for future inspections.

• Limited visibility: It’s hard to track trends or recurring issues without centralizing reports over time.

So, how can you solve these limitations? 

In the next section, we’ll walk you through how our septic service software, ServiceTitan, solves these limitations.

Streamline Storm Drain Work with ServiceTitan

ServiceTitan is a comprehensive software platform designed for field service businesses. It simplifies storm drain maintenance and inspection. 

Instead of dealing with multiple spreadsheets, paperwork, and texts between technicians and office staff, you can manage the entire storm drain inspection process in one connected system. 

That includes:

• Organizing your checklist for storm drain inspection

• Assigning scheduled visits

• Tracking service agreements

• Turning findings into approved repair work faster

Let’s break down how it works.

Keep checklists in one place

Paper checklists, email threads, and manual logs are easily lost. With ServiceTitan’s custom forms and mobile checklists, you can ensure your inspection data gets filled out correctly and on time.

Technicians can open the storm drain inspection checklist from their tablet or phone, check off tasks as they go, add photos of blockages or cracks, and leave notes about structural issues. All submissions are saved to the job record instantly and are visible to the office in real time.

This not only saves time but also creates consistency. Every drain is inspected to the same standard. 

And if you’re ever audited or need to show a client what was done, you have everything documented with timestamps, technician information, and inspection results.

Manage maintenance agreements

Storm drains require recurring attention throughout the year, especially before and after heavy rain seasons. With ServiceTitan’s maintenance agreement, you can easily manage multi-month or multi-year contracts, ensuring inspections are completed on schedule.

Clients can sign up for specific membership types to receive automatic scheduled maintenance services. 

From there, they can track their upcoming service visits and receive notifications when it’s time to renew, while your team stays ahead of clogged drains, sediment buildup, and structural wear.

This helps your business maintain consistent quality, increase renewal rates, and keep the storm drain inspection process smooth year-round.

Schedule maintenance visits

With ServiceTitan’s Dispatch Pro feature, you can schedule storm drain inspections across multiple locations, assign the right technician to each job, and view the full workload at a glance.

The system provides real-time visibility into who’s on what job, where they’re located, and how long they’ve been on-site. You can optimize routes to reduce travel time between jobs and pair techs with the right tools and vehicles for larger or more complex inspections.

If you need to reschedule due to weather, simply drag and drop the job block to a new day, which will automatically notify the technician and customer.

With job confirmations, reminders, and GPS tracking all built in, scheduling becomes less manual and more strategic. Every tech shows up with the correct checklist for storm drain inspection.

Build estimates

When damage is found—such as a broken grate, a collapsed pipe, or a water pooling issue—your team needs to provide a precise, accurate quote to fix it. ServiceTitan’s estimate tool makes that simple.

With this tool, field technicians can create professional, detailed repair estimates on the spot, using pre-built templates and real-time material pricing.

Technicians can take photos of the defective storm drain, upload them to the estimate, and include a clear, concise description that helps customers understand the urgency. 

From there, they can switch to presentation mode that highlights ‘good-better-best’ options, allowing customers to swipe and select the one that fits their budget.

Once approved, estimates convert into jobs instantly, reducing the time between discovery and resolution. Office teams can track which estimates are still pending and automatically follow up, so no revenue opportunities are lost.

Because estimates are tied to job records and checklists, everything stays transparent and well-documented. You’ll know exactly what work was proposed, when, and by whom, which is essential for accountability and customer trust in drainage-related services.

See These Features in Action with a ServiceTitan Demo

Using best-in-class ServiceTitan software, storm drain contractors can streamline inspections, improve field efficiency, and deliver a more reliable service to clients.

In addition to optimizing the storm drain inspection process, our platform includes powerful tools to support the rest of your operations, such as:

• Call booking

• Digital work orders

• Payment collection/invoice

• Real-time reporting and performance tracking

Want to see how ServiceTitan’s software can help you streamline operations and grow your business? Schedule a call for a free product tour.