A stormwater management contractor designs, installs, and maintains systems that control how rainwater and snowmelt move across land and into waterways — including detention basins, drainage swales, catch basins, and storm sewer connections. In Michigan, this work must comply with EGLE permit requirements and Part 91 soil erosion law. Superior Excavating is a licensed stormwater utility contractor serving Southeast Michigan.
What is stormwater management?
Stormwater management is the practice of controlling how precipitation moves across developed land and into streams, rivers, and storm sewers. Without proper controls, runoff erodes soil, floods properties, and carries pollutants into Michigan’s waterways.
A licensed utility contractor provides stormwater services including:
- Detention and retention basins — hold excess runoff to control release rate into receiving waterways
- Catch basins and storm inlets — capture surface runoff and direct it underground
- Swales and drainage channels — grade-controlled channels that direct flow away from structures
- French drain systems — perforated pipe and gravel beds for subsurface drainage
- Erosion control installation — silt fencing, sediment traps, erosion blankets required during construction
- Storm sewer connections — tying new developments into municipal storm drain infrastructure
What does Michigan’s EGLE require for stormwater?
Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) administers the state’s stormwater permit program under the federal Clean Water Act’s NPDES framework. Any construction project disturbing one or more acres must obtain an NPDES permit and prepare a written Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).
The SWPPP must identify all potential pollutant sources on the site and describe the Best Management Practices (BMPs) that will prevent contaminated runoff from reaching waterways. It must be maintained and updated throughout construction.
For municipalities in Metro Detroit — most of which are regulated MS4 (municipal separate storm sewer system) communities — post-construction stormwater controls must also be designed into any new development to manage runoff long after construction ends.
Authority resource: EGLE Stormwater Construction Permit Program
Do I need an SESC permit for my project in Michigan?
Q: What triggers an SESC permit in Michigan?
Michigan’s Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control law (Part 91 of Public Act 451) requires an SESC permit for any earth change disturbing 225 square feet or more, or any project within 500 feet of a waterway or regulated wetland — regardless of size.
This threshold captures nearly every residential excavation, grading, drainage, or foundation project. The permit is issued by the county drain commissioner or a delegated local authority and requires a site plan showing erosion controls.
Q: Who enforces SESC compliance?
County conservation districts and EGLE conduct site inspections. Violations can result in stop-work orders, daily fines, and mandatory remediation. Working with a licensed utility contractor who understands Part 91 compliance keeps your project on schedule.
What types of stormwater projects does Superior Excavating handle?
Residential Development
New home construction on previously undeveloped parcels typically requires both SESC permits and post-construction drainage controls. We install French drains, graded swales, and downspout disconnects sized to the parcel’s drainage area. We serve Auburn Hills, Troy, Rochester Hills, and surrounding communities.
Commercial and Industrial Sites
Parking lots and commercial pads generate high impervious runoff volumes. We design and install detention basins, underground stormwater chambers (StormTech, Cultec), and oil/water separators to satisfy local MS4 post-construction requirements. See our commercial excavation services.
Road and Utility Infrastructure
Culvert installation, storm sewer pipe laying, and headwall construction are standard elements of road projects and utility corridor work. Our utility contractor team self-performs this work with in-house equipment.
Municipal Stormwater Maintenance
We clean and repair catch basins, restore detention basin outlet structures, and rehabilitate aging storm sewer infrastructure for municipalities across Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties.
Why do contractors need a licensed stormwater management specialist? {#why-licensed}
Q: Can a general contractor self-perform stormwater work?
Typically, no — not for regulated stormwater work. NPDES permit holders must designate a qualified individual for SWPPP implementation. SESC permit requirements, BMP installation standards, and the engineering demands of detention facility design require specialized knowledge.
Q: What are the consequences of improper stormwater management?
- EGLE stop-work orders on active construction projects
- Daily civil fines for uncontrolled discharges
- Liability to neighboring property owners for flood or erosion damage
- Mandatory corrective action at the permittee’s cost
A licensed stormwater contractor documents BMP installation and maintenance, creating a defensible record if regulators or third parties raise concerns.
What are the drainage and soil challenges in Southeast Michigan?
Southeast Michigan sits on glacial clay deposits — dense, low-permeability soils left by the retreat of the Laurentide Ice Sheet. Clay soil behaves very differently from sandy or loamy soils:
| Soil Property | Clay (SE Michigan) | Sandy Soil |
|---|---|---|
| Permeability | Very low | High |
| Infiltration | Minimal | Moderate–high |
| Runoff generation | High | Low–moderate |
| Shrink-swell | Yes — moves with moisture | Minimal |
This means surface drainage systems, detention basins, and French drains are nearly universal requirements for Michigan residential and commercial development. Areas near Detroit and Metro Detroit communities also face elevated water tables, further limiting soil infiltration.
For projects near the Clinton, Rouge, or Huron River corridors, EGLE and the local drain commissioner impose additional setback and protection requirements.
Need a stormwater management contractor in Michigan? Superior Excavating handles EGLE-compliant drainage, detention basins, and erosion control for residential, commercial, and municipal projects across Southeast Michigan. Contact us for a stormwater project quote →
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need a stormwater permit for a small residential project? A: Michigan’s SESC permit applies to any earth change of 225 sq ft or more, which includes most residential grading and excavation projects. If your project is within 500 feet of a water body, the threshold is lower regardless of size.
Q: What is a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)? A: A SWPPP is a written document identifying all potential pollution sources on a construction site and describing the BMPs used to prevent contaminated runoff from reaching waterways. It is required for projects disturbing one acre or more under Michigan’s NPDES program.
Q: How long does an SESC permit take in Michigan? A: Many counties process residential SESC permits in one to three business days for straightforward projects. NPDES coverage for larger sites may take two to four weeks depending on the reviewing agency’s workload.
Q: Do you serve Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties? A: Yes. Superior Excavating operates throughout Southeast Michigan including Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties and their municipalities.
Conclusion:
- Stormwater management controls how rain and runoff move across developed land and into waterways
- Michigan projects disturbing 225+ sq ft need an SESC permit; projects disturbing 1+ acre need NPDES coverage
- EGLE enforces both permit programs and can issue stop-work orders for violations
- Southeast Michigan’s clay soil and high water tables make proper drainage systems essential on nearly every project
- Superior Excavating provides licensed stormwater utility services across Southeast Michigan
