Let’s start with who is required to take care of this pond maintenance. It primarily comes down to the location of the pond. Cities are responsible for any retention ponds within the public right of way or land owned by the town. Runoff that occurs on private property is the responsibility of the property owner, property management company, or community Homeowners Association (HOA). So, if a retention pond is in your community, office park, or shopping center, your HOA or property management company needs to take steps to care for it. Businesses are required by The Clean Water Act to control runoff from construction sites and completed structures. This includes implementing measures to prevent polluted runoff from flowing into the area’s water supply (such as a retention pond). If you’re unsure if a stormwater pond is your responsibility, it’s best to contact your city utility department.