Stormwater Information and Education

What is Stormwater?

Stormwater is the runoff resulting from any rainfall event. Usually, problems with stormwater occur when an intense precipitation event deposits large amounts of water on the earth in a short period of time. The ground surface becomes saturated and is not able to absorb any more water, so the excess becomes surface runoff. Another cause of surface runoff in urban areas is the abundance of impervious surfaces. Surfaces such as concrete, asphalt, and building roofs block water from seeping into the ground. Runoff is often immediately channeled into storm sewers but all runoff ultimately ends up in streams, rivers, and the ocean.

How Does Stormwater Affect Me?

Improper treatment of stormwater can affect an entire town or city. Groundwater aquifers must be replenished periodically and the easiest way to do this is to allow stormwater to soak into the ground. If water cannot soak through the soil due to impervious surfaces, it will run off into the local streams, rivers, and lakes. Polluted stormwater is not only unappealing but it is dangerous to fish and plant life that require clean water. Runoff picks up and carries off many contaminants from impervious surfaces including litter and debris, pesticides, fertilizers, and even air pollutants that have fallen out of the air and settled on the ground. Stormwater runoff can negatively affect local water quality but there are ways to prevent this problem.

What Can We Do About Stormwater?

You have taken the first step to help your community deal with stormwater—you are educating yourself. The next step is to follow a few simple guidelines that will improve water quality in your area and prevent stormwater pollution. The pages listed below include more information about stormwater, its effects, how you can help improve it, and what the Town is doing in regard to stormwater.

Stormwater Glossary and Definitions (PDF)

Resources

2018-2019 MS4 Program Plan

Revised MS4 Program Plan 9/2022

MS4 Permit and Coverage Letter

MS4 2018 Annual Report/Updated Program Plan

Public Education and Outreach Plan

Good Housekeeping/Pollution Prevention Manual

Nutrient Management Plans

TMDL Action Plans

TMDL Studies

Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

Comments on our MS4 program plan?

You can submit comments and suggestions regarding the MS4 plan using this form.

Stormwater related issues? 

For land disturbance and construction site issues:

Please call the Engineering Department at 540-382-6120, Monday - Friday from 8 am - 5 pm 

To report potential illicit discharges, improper disposal, spills to the storm sewer system or other potential stormwater pollution concerns:  

From 8 am - 5 pm, Monday - Friday, please call the Engineering Department at 540-382-6120 or Public Works at 540-382-1151.  On the weekends or after hours, please call the regional, non-emergency dispatch number at (540) 382-4343, and dispatchers will inform our on-call crews. 

 You can also report illicit discharges or spills on this form. Please note that form submissions are reviewed during regular business hours only.