STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES

The Watershed Protection/Stormwater Management Section is responsible for the Watershed Protection for Guilford County’s nine (9) drinking water supply watersheds. In addition to Watershed Protection duties the Section is charged with the enforcement of the Jordan Lake Rules and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase 2 rules for the County (which includes non-watershed areas), public education of stormwater issues, detection and elimination of illicit stormwater discharges, Floodplain Management and permitting, State mandated annual inspections of water quality devices, and staffing the Environmental Review Board, a citizen environmental group. This Section coordinates with others in the Planning & Development Department on reviewing plans for site and subdivision development to ensure compliance with local and State regulations. Staff also acts as project manager for the County’s watershed protection projects and contracts.

WHAT IS STORMWATER

When it rains, impervious surfaces such as rooftops, driveways and roads prevent water from being absorbed into the ground. The portion of water that is not absorbed into the ground is what is known as stormwater runoff. This water in motion picks up and carries a wide variety of pollutants and litter, which flow into our storm drains, and eventually empty directly into our waterways. Unlike household wastewater, stormwater is not treated. That means the everyday pollution that we all contribute has a direct impact on our local water quality. 

Polluted stormwater runoff is the number one source of water pollution in the United States, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. It is also the number one threat to North Carolina’s water quality. Because stormwater runoff pollution comes from a wide variety of sources, it will take collaborative efforts by residents, industry and government to address the problem. To learn more about polluted stormwater runoff, visit the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources Web site.