The Town of Woodfin is required to regulate stormwater runoff for compliance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit, issued by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) with oversight from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Runoff is therefore required to be monitored by a stormwater management plan implemented by the Town of Woodfin which covers six program areas:
- Public Education and Outreach
- Public Involvement and Participation
- Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE)
- Post Construction Site Runoff Controls
- Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations
A draft version of the stormwater management plan provided by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NC-DEQ) can be found HERE. We are currently working on updating our stormwater management plan to follow recommendations and requirements provided by the NC-DEQ.
What is Stormwater?
“ Stormwater runoff is generated from rain and snowmelt events that flow over land or impervious surfaces, such as paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops, and does not soak into the ground. The runoff picks up pollutants like trash, chemicals, oils, and dirt/sediment that can harm our rivers, streams, lakes, and coastal waters. To protect these resources, communities, construction companies, industries, and others, use stormwater controls, known as best management practices (BMPs). These BMPs filter out pollutants and/or prevent pollution by controlling them at their source. “ – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Why is stormwater runoff a problem?
Stormwater runoff contaminated with pollutants stands as the primary culprit behind water pollution in North Carolina. While it's commonly assumed that the majority of that pollution stems from large industrial activities, the reality differs. Non-point source pollution (NPS) emerges as a significant contributor to water pollution at the local, county, and statewide level. NPS pollution originates from a diverse set of sources throughout the built environment. Each individual source may be small, only contributing a minor amount of contamination, however, the cumulative effect becomes concerning as the scale escalates.
As you drive your car, fertilize your lawn, salt your driveway in the winter, or spray insecticides, you may unknowingly contribute to NPS stormwater pollution. NPS pollution occurs when rainwater or snowmelt picks up pollutants such as oil, grease, pesticides, fertilizers, sediment, and litter. That water and pollutant mix then flows over hard impermeable surfaces such as roads, driveways, compressed gravel, and rooftops and are carried by the increased turbulence and flow into nearby water bodies, such as rivers, lakes, and streams.
Why is stormwater runoff a problem?
Stormwater runoff contaminated with pollutants stands as the primary culprit behind water pollution in North Carolina. While it's commonly assumed that most of the pollution stems from large industrial activities, the reality differs. Non-point source pollution (NPS) emerges as a significant contributor to water pollution at the local, county, and statewide levels. NPS pollution originates from a diverse set of sources.
Each specific source may be small, only contributing a minor amount of contamination. However, the cumulative effect becomes concerning as the scale of pollution escalates from other sources.
As you drive your car, seed and spray pesticides on your lawns, salt your driveway in the winter, or spray insecticides, you may unknowingly contribute to stormwater pollution. Stormwater pollution occurs when rainwater or snowmelt picks up pollutants such as oil, grease, pesticides, fertilizers, sediment, and litter, which then flows over hard impermeable surfaces such as roads, driveways, compressed gravel, and rooftops. These pollutants are then carried by the increased turbulence and flow into nearby water bodies, such as rivers, lakes, and streams.
What stormwater measures are used to help prevent pollution and erosion?
Due to the increased amount of non-permeable surfaces located in the modern built environment, stormwater and runoff has the ability to increase in speed and flow compared to the permeable ground in the natural environment. This increased acceleration and turbulence directly leads to an increase in erosion and polluted runoff. In turn, leads to increased flooding, erosion, and water quality degradation.
The construction and implementation of both public and private best management practice systems (BMPs) play a critical role in mitigating the adverse effects of stormwater runoff to our local waterways. These BMPs are designed to intercept, slowdown, and treat stormwater, effectively slowing down and filtering out pollutants before they are able to reach local streams, rivers, and lakes. Stormwater BMP systems that can be found in Woodfin include detention ponds, vegetated swales, and rain gardens.
It's important for individuals to be mindful of their actions and adopt practices that minimize stormwater pollution, such as properly disposing of household chemicals, reducing the use of fertilizers and pesticides, and implementing stormwater management techniques like the installation of rain gardens and permeable pavement.
How do urbanized areas affect water quality?
Forests and wetlands are essential for regulating rainwater and snowmelt, serving as natural reservoirs that facilitate gradual water filtration into the soil. This contrasts starkly with the built landscape, where stormwater is traditionally swiftly evacuated from urbanized regions to prevent localized flooding and harm. However, as urban development progresses, the infrastructure designed to rapidly remove stormwater has inadvertently contributed to heightened instances of flash flooding and erosion.
In areas with natural landscapes, a significant portion of rainfall and snowmelt is retained above the surface, where it can gradually seep into the ground. In contrast, on impervious surfaces, such as pavement and concrete, most of the water remains above ground, leading to rapid runoff in unnaturally large quantities. This imbalance in water distribution can contribute to various issues, including flooding, erosion, and diminished groundwater recharge. Therefore, preserving and restoring natural landscapes like forests is crucial for maintaining a sustainable water cycle and mitigating the impacts of urbanization on hydrological systems. Additionally, developments on steep slopes exacerbate stormwater management challenges by accelerating runoff, leading to increased erosion, flooding, and pollution compared to flatter areas.
What can I do to reduce stormwater pollution?
- Maintain your vehicle to prevent leaks of oil and other fluids, and promptly clean up spills to prevent them from reaching local streams. Wash vehicles on grass or at a car wash to prevent dirt and soap from flowing into storm drains.
- Prevent soil erosion by planting ground cover, stabilizing erosion-prone areas, and redirecting gutter downspouts away from hard surfaces. Apply lawn and garden chemicals sparingly and sweep up any spills on driveways or sidewalks.
- Regularly maintain septic systems by pumping every three to five years and avoid putting chemicals down septic systems to prevent harm to the system and groundwater contamination.
- Dispose of pet waste in the trash and store lawn and household chemicals securely to prevent rainfall exposure. Dispose of old chemicals at a hazardous waste collection facility.
- Never dump anything into storm drains and avoid littering.
How can I get involved?
- Group river workdays and educational classes for both children and adults are currently being planned by the Town of Woodfin. Please stay tuned for updates on programming and dates.
- RiverLink, a local non-profit organization based in Asheville, is dedicated to fostering the sustainability of the French Broad River through donations and volunteer efforts. They offer several programs aimed at engaging the community in this mission. These include the Adopt-A-Storm Drain initiative, partnerships with schools within the watershed through the RiverRats program, and summer activities such as River Camp, designed for students in grades three to five.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to stormwater@woodfin-nc.gov for any questions or concerns that you may have.