Stormwater Programs
Stormwater in Wake County
Stormwater runoff is the number-one cause of water pollution in North Carolina. As land is developed, the impervious surfaces that are created increase the amount of runoff from rainfall or snowmelt events. Impervious surfaces like rooftops, driveways, sidewalks and streets prevent stormwater runoff from naturally soaking into the ground. Stormwater can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt and other pollutants and flow directly to a stream, river, lake, wetland, or into a storm sewer system. Anything that enters a storm sewer system is discharged untreated into the water bodies we use for swimming, fishing and providing drinking water.
While awareness and interest in environmental protection exists at the local government and citizen level, the County’s water resources continue to experience degradation. The length and number of streams on the State’s 303(d) list of impaired waters has increased since the list was first published in 1998. Also, a 2003 assessment of the County’s 82 watersheds as part of the Wake County Watershed Management Plan rated nearly 63% of the watersheds as impacted or degraded. In recent years, an average of 27 acres of land in Wake County is converted from a natural to a developing stage every day. If not managed properly, development in Wake County could result in the further impairment of these water resources, having a pronounced impact on the quality of life in Wake County.
Increased stormwater runoff can erode stream channels, increase pollutant loading in surface waters, cause downstream flooding and prevent groundwater recharge. Protecting our water resources is vital for a variety of reasons, including ensuring an adequate supply of safe drinking water, protection of fish and wildlife habitat, human health and recreation.
The Erosion and Sedimentation Control Section seeks to regulate certain land-disturbing activities to control accelerated erosion and sedimentation to prevent the pollution of water and other damage to water resources and public and private property by sedimentation.
Erosion & Sedimentation Control:
The Stormwater Management Section addresses the adverse effects of stormwater runoff associated with new development. Proper management of stormwater runoff will protect property, control stream erosion, reduce flooding, protect floodplain and wetlands, water resources, riparian and aquatic ecosystems. Wake County administers stormwater regulations for all unicorporated areas. Additionally, Wake County administers stormwater for three municipalities through interlocal agreements: Wendell, Rolesville and Zebulon.
Stormwater Management for Wendell, Rolesville and Zebulon |
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Stormwater Management for Wake County Jurisdiction Only:
The Floodplain Management Section seeks to promote public health, safety and general welfare and to minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions within flood prone areas by implementing ordinance provisions designed to:
- Restrict or prohibit uses that are dangerous to health, safety, and property due to water or erosion hazards or that result in damaging increases in erosion, flood heights or velocities;
- Require that uses vulnerable to floods, including facilities that serve such uses, be protected against flood damage at the time of initial construction;
- Control the alteration of natural floodplains, stream channels and natural protective barriers, which are involved in the accommodation of floodwaters;
- Control filling, grading, dredging and all other development that may increase erosion or flood damage; and
- Prevent or regulate the construction of flood barriers that will unnaturally divert flood waters or that may increase flood hazards to other lands.
Floodplain Management:
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