Stormwater Management

Stormwater SMART Image


About Our Program

The City of Burlington is a federally designated National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II community and received an Individual Stormwater Permit on July 1, 2007 from the NCDENR-DWQ (Now NC DEQ - DWR). The City of Burlington and all similarly-sized U.S. cities are required to uphold and implement a comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan which includes ways the City is to implement the following measures:

    1. Public Education
    2. Public Involvement
    3. Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination
    4. Construction Site Runoff Controls 
    5. Post-Construction Site Runoff Controls
    6. Good Housekeeping/Pollution Prevention of Municipal Facilities   

To report specific stormwater or stream-related concerns including POLLUTION ISSUES, use the Fix it, Burlington! program by either filling out an online request form or calling (336) 222-5024. We respond to each request. To submit requests on your mobile device, download the "Fix it, Burlington!" app. 

Learn more about upcoming events, cleanups, and volunteer opportunities.

What is Stormwater & Why it Matters

When rain falls on hard, impervious surfaces like roads, parking lots, and roofs, it can't soak into the ground and instead creates stormwater runoff. As it travels, runoff picks up pollutants like pet waste, litter, yard waste, fertilizer, oil, and even soil or other types of sediment before entering the nearest storm drain. 

While water used in households is transported to wastewater treatment plants, water that runs down our storm drains flows directly to the closest stream, river, or lake and eventually to the Atlantic Ocean. 

The majority of water pollution in North Carolina is caused by polluted stormwater runoff. Since we rely on water for drinking, swimming, fishing, and growing food, it is important that we all take steps to protect our water resources. 

To find out more about stormwater and what you can do to protect our creeks and streams, watch the video to the below, explore the links on this website, or contact us!