Storm Water Division

Storm Water; it's a term seldom heard in our daily life unless it is raining, yet it impacts us all every day. It takes form in drought, flood, erosion, pollution, health and safety.

Your Local Storm Water offices work to educate, facilitate and regulate these concerns and more through public and student outreach, stream clean ups, contractor training, inspections and enforcements.

You can learn more, or even volunteer, by contacting your local Storm Water office.

We all live "downstream" in the big picture....in Wilson County.

For storm water forms click here. 

What is stormwater runoff pollution?

When it rains or as snow melts, the resulting stormwater flows over roads or ground surfaces, picking up debris, chemicals, oils, grease, salt, sediment and other pollutants. These can have harmful effects on drinking water supplies, recreation, fisheries and other wildlife.

What you can do to help prevent stormwater runoff pollution:

• Don't dump anything into a catchbasin, drain pipe or storm sewer grate.
• Properly dispose of all paints, used motor oil and other hazardous waste
• Use fertilizers and pesticides sparingly
• Pick up after your pet and dispose waste in the toilet or trash.
• Check you vehicles for any leaking fluids
• Wash your vehicles at a car wash. If washing at home, use a low-phosphate detergent.
• Have your septic tank pumped and inspected at least once every two years.

What is an Illicit Discharge?

An illicit discharge is the discharge of pollutants or non-storm water materials into a storm drain system via an illegal pipe connection or other direct tie-in and also via overland flow or direct dumping into a catch basin or stormdrain. Municipal storm drains are intended to convey storm water runoff to nearby lakes and streams to prevent flooding, but they are not intended to carry flow from sources such as sanitary sewers, septic systems, carwashes, laundromats, or other similar sources. Illicit discharges are a problem because stormwater generally flows to a river, pond or stream without any additional treatment, unlike wastewater or sewage which flows to a wastewater treatment plant. Dumping anything other than storm water into a storm drain is illegal and considered an illicit discharge.

Sources of Illicit Discharges:

• Construction run-off
• Sanitary wastewater (sewage)
• Septic tank waste or overflows
• Car wash, laundry, and industrial wastewaters
• Improper disposal of auto and household toxics, such as motor oil, antifreeze, and pesticides
• Spills on roadways and other accidents

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