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Stormwater Information: Know Where It Goes
 Public Information Office
Morganton's stormwater management program aims to reduce pollution that washes from buildings, pavement and other surfaces that are impervious to rainwater. The City works to educate residents through utility bill inserts and other mailings, cable advertisements and the City Web site.
Did You Know...?
Stormwater is the No. 1 cause of water pollution in North Carolina.
When it rains, the rain that runs across our yards and roads into storm drains is called stormwater.
Storm drains carry untreated stormwater and whatever the water picks up directly to creeks, lakes and rivers.
If we want to keep our rivers and creeks clean, we need to keep chemicals, oil and other pollutants out of our storm drains.
Stormwater is our biggest source of water pollution. And you're the solution now that you know where it goes.
Ways You Can Help
Never place anything down a storm drain.
Reduce impervious areas so that rain can soak into the ground naturally.
Conserve water.
Use native plants.
Limit the use of fertilizer and never fertilize before a rainstorm.
CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR PETS
Morganton City ordinance requires owners to clean up after their pets on City streets, sidewalks, parks, public parking areas and other public areas.
Wash your car at a commercial car wash or where the water can soak into the ground.
Reduce, recycle and reuse.
Dispose of household hazardous waste properly.
What cannot enter a storm drain?
Oil, antifreeze, paint, cleaning fluids
Wash water from a commercial car wash
Industrial discharges
Contaminated foundation drains
Cooling water unless no chemicals have been added and proper discharge permits are in place
Wash water from commercial / industrial activities
Sanitary sewer discharges
Septic tank discharges
Washing machine discharges
Chlorinated backwash and draining associated with swimming pools
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Stormwater?
Stormwater is the flow of water that occurs immediately after rainfall or as a result of snow melt. When it rains, several things can happen to the precipitation. Some of the rain water is absorbed into the ground and some evaporates. The rest of the rain water that runs off land surfaces and impervious areas is Stormwater.
Hard surfaces – such as pavement and rooftops – are called 'impervious surfaces' and do not allow rainfall to absorb into the ground. When there is more hard or impervious surface in a community, there will be more stormwater runoff.
To keep stormwater from flooding roads and property, storm drain systems divert and carry and stormwater directly to streams, rivers and lakes.
Can stormwater cause problems?
Yes. Stormwater picks up pollutants such as oil and grease, chemicals, nutrients, metals, and bacteria as it travels across land and carries it directly into our rivers and lakes. Unlike the water in sewer systems, stormwater is not treated before being released into rivers or lakes.
What can I do?
- Dispose of wastes properly.
- Remember that any thing that is poured or placed on the ground, streets, driveways, etc. can be picked up and carried by stormwater runoff to our surface waters.
- Use the minimum amount of chemicals on your yard
- Plant native plants and trees. They have adapted to the local climate and resist pests.
- Don't fertilize shortly before it rains.
- Much of the fertilizer will be washed into the storm drains.
- Maintain your car so that it does not leak oil and other fluids that will be picked up by rainfall.
- Direct runoff.
You can route the flow from roof gutters, driveways and sidewalks to natural areas on your property to help reduce the quantity of stormwater runoff.
- Collect runoff.
Another option is to add rain barrels below your gutters to harvest rain for watering your plants.
Report any pollution, illegal dumping, or soil erosion that you see to the appropriate authorities.
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