Stormwater Management

The City of Burlington is a federally designated NPDES Phase II community and received an Individual Stormwater Permit on July 1, 2007 from the NCDENR-DWQ. Under this permit, the Stormwater Division is charged with working with Burlington residents, employees, businesses, and developers to keep the stormwater runoff in Burlington as clean as possible before it enters our streams and lakes. The Stormwater Division also gets help from multiple departments including Engineering, Planning, Inspections, and Streets.

• To report specific stormwater or stream-related concerns, use the Burlington Connected program by either filling out an online request form or calling (336) 222-5024. We respond to each request. To submit Burlington Connected requests on your mobile device, download the "Burlington Connected On the Go" app.
  
  
• Check out the links in menu for detailed information on various topics and policies regarding stormwater management.
  
  
• Learn more about Alamance Creek Week, upcoming events, cleanups and volunteer opportunities.
  
  
• Contact the Stormwater Division of the Water Resources Department at (336) 222-5091 or email.

What is Stormwater and Why it Matters

When rain falls on hard, impervious surfaces like roads, parking lots, and roofs, it can't soak in 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. 

Many people think that stormwater drains lead to local wastewater treatment plants- this is a common misconception. 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!