NCS000429_Gastonia 2016 Program Summary_20161010

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
SUMMARY

September 1, 2016

Prepared by:
City of Gastonia Public Works Department, Stormwater Division

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This document is a summary of the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) management program. The system is
located within the City of Gastonia corporate limits and permitted as a small MS4 by the North Carolina Department of
Environmental Quality (Permit # NCS000429). Revenue generated by the City’s Stormwater Utility is what funds
stormwater administration staff/maintenance crews, daily maintenance costs, stormwater equipment, Capital
Improvement Projects (CIP) and the Off Right-of-Way Improvement Program. Our stormwater utility fee is based on the
average impervious area of all residential properties at the time of the program’s inception. The Equivalent Residential
Unit (ERU) that non-residential utility customers are billed for, is $3.25 for every 2,650 Square Feet of impervious surface
located on their parcel of land. Below is a layout of the service area that the program covers and the measures it takes to
prevent/reduce stormwater pollution that is generally associated with highly urbanized environments.
1. Population and Estimated Growth Rate
1.1. Per the US Census Bureau, as of 2010, there were 71,741 people, 27,770 households, and 18,599 families residing
in the city. The population density was 1,420.6 people per square mile (548.5/km²). There were 31,238 housing
units at an average density of 618.6 per square mile (238.8/km²). Also, the NC Office of the State Demographer
shows a population growth rate percentage of 2.01% for the City of Gastonia between 2010-2014.

2. Jurisdictional Area and Estimated Land Use

2.1. Gastonia is located at 35°15′19″N 81°10′49″W (35.255220, -81.180249) at the geographic center of Gaston
County. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 50.7 square miles (131.4 km2),
of which 50.5 square miles (130.8 km2) is land and 0.23 square miles (0.6 km2), or 0.45%, is water. Gastonia
occupies 14% of the total area of Gaston County.

3. Description of Stormwater Conveyance System

3.1. The City’s stormwater conveyance system consists of a combination of piping, ditches and sheet flow. Per City
ordinance all new streets constructed by private developers must have curb and gutter stormwater systems. The
system is maintained by the City’s Stormwater Department. The City has a detention ordinance requiring any
new impervious over 20,000 square feet to detain the 2 and 10 year, 24 hour storm events and treat the first one
inch of rain fall with North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Phase II stormwater controls. Any land
disturbance over one acre must adhere to Phase II regulations regarding erosion control and post construction.
All post construction structural stormwater controls are maintained by the Operations and Maintenance
Agreement signee. The stormwater system for state maintained roads is managed by North Carolina Department
of Transportation.

4. Receiving Streams, Impaired Streams and TMDL’s
4.1. There are four major Drainage Basins Catawba, Crowders, Duharts and Long Creek in the City of Gastonia
4.1.1. Anthony Creek, Bessemer Branch, Blackwood Creek, Burton Branch, Catawba Creek, Crowders Creek,
Duharts Creek, Jule Allen Branch, Kagler Creek, Long Creek, McGill Creek, Oates Creek, Rankin Lake,
Robinwood Lake, and unnamed tributaries to them, all are within the Catawba River Basin.
4.2. Impaired Streams (per 2016 DRAFT 303d List)
4.2.1. Catawba Creek
4.2.2. Crowders Creek
4.2.3. Long Creek

4.3. There are no TMDL’s on any streams within the City.

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5. Water Quality Programs
5.1. Off Right-of-way Stormwater Improvement Program
5.1.1. The City offers assistance for citizens experiencing issues on their properties created by stormwater runoff
that is generated from City maintained streets and/or facilities. These issues are prioritized from categories
1-3, based on the proximity of the drainage issue in relation to occupied dwellings and/or the threat of
potential public safety hazards. These off Right-of-Way projects require a minimum of 10% contribution
from the property owner for the project to move forward. Typically, the solutions for the stormwater
drainage issues are vegetative swales or channels, secondarily, pipe is used when applicable

5.1.2. The City of Gastonia Detention Ordinance: Requires new impervious area greater than 20,000 square feet
to capture and detain the 2 year and 10 year, 24 hour storm event and be released at the pre-development
rate. The developer must also treat the first one inch of rain from the catchment area with an approved
NCDEQ Phase II BMP.

6. Permitting Information
6.1. Responsible Party Contact List: See Renewal Application
6.2. Organizational chart: Available upon request
6.3. Signing Official: See Renewal Application
6.4. Duly Authorized Representative: See Renewal Application

7. Inter-Local Agreements, Partnerships and State Programs
7.1. Gaston County Natural Resources
7.1.1. Refer to Minimum Measure 4 located below for further description

8. Stormwater Management Program

8.1. Minimum Measure 1: Public Education and Outreach
8.1.1.1. The target audience for the City of Gastonia varies largely from business owners to grade school
students. The schools targeted for educational outreach are generally of a lower socio-economic
strata, where pollution is more prevalent and education on the issue is most needed. As for places of
business, educational outreach is directed towards operations that produce byproduct that may
potentially enter the City’s Municipal Stormwater System, eventually entering the City’s surface
waters. The City also offers educational outreach to businesses that utilize oil/grease separators. These
facilities pose a potential threat to the City’s Sanitary Sewer System, which, in return, result in sanitary
sewer overflows and possible impacts to the surface water conditions in the City.

8.1.2. Community Education and Outreach
8.1.2.1. Stormwater staff, water/sewer staff and various other City departments conduct regular
educational/career oriented events at local elementary schools and churches. During these events,
staff discusses the importance of healthy streams, reduction of surface water pollution, recycling,
proper grease disposal and adverse impacts that human activities have on the natural environment.
Staff also conducts outreach at community events for Earth Day at the Schiele Museum, Cotton Ginning
Days in Dallas and Conservation Day with Gaston County Natural Resources. Staff typically encounters
approximately 700 individuals of the target audience.

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8.1.3. Non-Residential and Multi-Family Education and Outreach
8.1.3.1. Staff provides educational materials to restaurants and businesses (Landscapers, Mobile Car
Detailing, Multi-Family Housing Complexes, etc.) that include the Best Management Practices that
prove to be the most critical to the implemented area of operation to prevent surface water pollution.

8.1.4. Utility Customer Education and Outreach
8.1.4.1. Semiannually, staff encloses educational mailers to approximately 35,000 utility accounts.
Providing simple and valuable educational information to citizens in efforts to prevent/reduce
pollution the City’s surface waters.

8.1.5. Post Construction Stormwater Control Education and Outreach
8.1.5.1. Staff provides technical advice, educational flyers and maintenance schedules for permanent
post-construction stormwater control owners. Staff periodically conducts informal inspections of these
controls to visually monitor conditions and performance.

8.2. Minimum Measure 2: Public Involvement and Participation
8.2.1. The target audience for this measure is the general population as a whole.

8.2.1.1. Stormwater Citizens Advisory Panel
8.2.1.1.1. As part of the stormwater utility creation, the City included a Stormwater Citizens
Advisory Panel (CAP). This panel consists of an appointed representative from each Ward in the
City and one from the Mayor, with seven members in total. This panel is charged with overseeing
staff recommendations regarding the appropriation of funds for Off Right-of-Way Project
solutions, hearing citizens’ concerns and making recommendations for stormwater staff to
pursue. The panel meets on the third Thursday of every odd numbered month (January, March,
May, etc.) at 6:15pm. These meetings are open to the public, allowing them the ability express
concerns, give thanks and also make recommendation to staff.

8.2.1.2. Stormwater Hotline/General complaint email
8.2.1.2.1. Via the City’s webpage citizens are capable of reaching out to City staff through a general
email address, [e-mail]. Varying on the nature of the correspondence
received, the email is distributed to the applicable department.

8.3. Minimum Measure 3: Illicit Discharge Detection Elimination Program
8.3.1. The target areas for this measure consist of the major business and industrial districts. Major outfalls (30”
or greater) of the storm sewer system. Cross connections between the sanitary sewer and storm sewer. Staff
also informs the public about the hazards of illicit connections and illegal dumping through the methods
mentioned in the Public Education component.

8.3.2. Major Business Districts
8.3.2.1. The major business districts (Franklin Square Phase I, II, III, Eastridge Mall, Gaston Mall, Akers
Center, Gastonia Technology Park, etc.) are routinely visited to identify deficiencies in refuse
receptacles, grease bins and general housekeeping practices of the exterior of the businesses.

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8.3.3. Major Outfall Dry Weather Inspections
8.3.3.1. During extended dry weather periods, staff inspects the known major outfalls in efforts to identify
dry weather flows that would result from illicit connections

8.3.4. Sanitary Sewer Cross Connections
8.3.4.1. Staff works directly with Two Rivers Utilities to eliminate cross connections. The use of video,
smoke and dye are deployed to determine the source of an observed illicit discharge

8.4. Minimum Measure 4: Construction Site Stormwater Runoff
8.4.1. The target area for this minimum measure is any land disturbance (ground cover removal) that is one acre
or greater. Land disturbing activities typically produce accelerated soil loss that could impact the surface
waters of Gastonia. An approved sediment/erosion control plan and permit is required before land
disturbing activities over one acre shall commence.

8.4.1.1. This minimum measure is conducted by Gaston County Natural Resources (GCNR) through an
inter-local agreement. GCNR collects the permitting fees, conducts plan reviews, issues permits and
conducts all site inspections for land disturbing activities within the corporate limits of the City of
Gastonia. GCNR ensures compliance through the duration of projects until permanent stabilization is
established. The primary contact for GCNR is located below. A copy of the Inter-local Agreement is
available upon request.

8.4.1.1.1. Gaston County Natural Resources Contact Information:

Joseph Alm, Stormwater Administrator
1303 Dallas-Cherryville Highway
Dallas, NC 28034
[phone]

8.5. Minimum Measure 5: Post Construction Stormwater Runoff
8.5.1. All development post NPDES Phase II regulation requirements, 2008, are the target audience for this
measure. As part of these regulation requirements, the developed properties that yield disturbance of one
acre or more; or are part of a plan of common development where one or more acres are to be disturbed
over the life of the project must install permanent stormwater controls. These controls are to be designed
per the NCDEQ Phase II Post-Construction Design Manual and be maintained by the property owner or
signee on the Operations and Maintenance Agreement in perpetuity.

8.5.1.1. Permit Requirements
8.5.1.1.1. The City formally inspects all permanent stormwater controls once per permit term (every
5 years). Varying on the condition of the permanent post-construction stormwater control,
appropriate measures of enforcement are taken.

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8.6. Minimum Measure 6: Good House Keeping and Pollution Prevention
8.6.1. The City targets all facilities, parks, and right-of-ways owned and maintained by the City of Gastonia where
pollutants can be conveyed to the surface waters of the City. Bi-annual inspections are conducted at
Individually Permitted Facilities, during wet and dry conditions. Best Management Practice training is
provided to City staff where job duties require it.

8.6.2. Individual Permits within MS4 jurisdiction
8.6.2.1. Gastonia Municipal Airport
8.6.2.1.1. Permit Number NCG150032
8.6.2.2. City of Gastonia Garage and Sanitation
8.6.2.2.1. Permit Number NCG080701
8.6.2.3. Crowders Creek Waste Water Treatment Plant
8.6.2.3.1. Permit Number NCG 110055
8.6.2.4. Eagle Road Waste Water Treatment Plant
8.6.2.4.1. Permit Number NCG110125
8.6.2.5. Long Creek Waste Water Treatment Plant
8.6.2.5.1. Permit Number NCG110056
8.6.2.6. Stanley Waste Water Treatment Plant
8.6.2.6.1. Permit Number NCG110130 (currently being rescinded)

8.6.3. Spill Prevention and Training
8.6.3.1. The stormwater administrator annually trains the Public Works and Two Rivers Water and Sewer
Utility (TRU) employees on general housekeeping, spill and pollution prevention. This educates
employees on the need for controls to protect stormwater from exposure to potential pollutants and
to increase awareness of water quality.
8.6.3.2. Standard protocol for fuel spills in the field, result in making contact with the HAZMAT Division of
the Gastonia Fire Department to remediate the impacts if the spill is greater than 10 gallons of fuel or
pose a threat to a stream or storm drain. If the spill is smaller than 10 gallons and pose no threat to a
stream or storm drain, field employees will remediate the impacts.
8.6.3.3. Major spills that occur in the community are handled by the City of Gastonia Fire Department

8.6.4. General Maintenance and Street Sweeping
8.6.4.1. There are two, four men crews that conduct the stormwater maintenance on the MS4. These
crews conduct a wide variety of tasks ranging from adding rip rap to outfalls, repairs to damaged pipes,
vacuuming inlets, stabilizing grassed swales, Off Right-of-Way Projects, etc.
8.6.4.2. The stormwater department also has two street sweepers. Continuous removal of curb and gutter
debris greatly reduces the need to clean out inlets. The street sweepers run non-stop, inclement
weather is the only time when they are not in motion.

8.6.5. Vehicular Operations
8.6.5.1. All Public Works and TRU vehicles are stored at the Municipal Operations Center or the Duke
Street Operations Center
8.6.5.2. Salt storage areas are covered under a permanent structure.