NCS000431_Annual Report_20180910

City of Conover
' Planning Department
September 10, 2018
NCDENR
Division of Water Quality
Stormwater Permitting Unit
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617
Re: NPDES Permit No. NCS000431
To Whom It May Concern:
Please find enclosed two copies of the 2018 Stormwater Annual Report for the City of
Conover NPDES permit number NCS000431.
I certify, under penalty of law, that this document and all attachments were prepared
under my direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that
qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my
inquiry of the person or persons who manage the system, or those persons directly
responsible for gathering the information, the information submitted is, to the best of my
knowledge and belief, true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant
penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fines and
imprisonment for knowing violations.
Sincerely,
Donald Duncan, Jr.
Conover City Manager
Enclosure: City of Conover Stormwater Annual Report
[Post Office Box 549 1 Conover, North Carolina 1 28613 1 voice/tdd [phone] 1 fax [phone]]

SECTION B: PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
The City continues to provide stormwater education and outreach to the public in many
ways.
Locally produced brochures and informational materials, as well as EPA materials have
been placed in the local library, city hall and local veterinary offices. These materials,
along with larger stormwater displays were presented to the citizenry at our annual
"National Night Out" event, Catawba Riverfest, and Earth/Arbor Day.
In coordination with other local municipalities, the City has developed an Administrative
Manual for the implementation of Phase II requirements. The manual is a collective
effort of the Stormwater Working Group with the intent to ensure similar procedures for
phase II development requirements among local municipalities and therefore make it
easier for developers to understand
An educational poster provided by the EPA entitled "Stormwater and the Construction
Industry" was placed in City Hall in the planning department for viewing by developers
and contractors when they obtain permits to encourage best management practices at their
construction sites. The local cable TV government channel was also utilized to reach
citizens. Two stand-up educational banners are alternately displayed at City Hall for
viewing by utility customers and citizens.
The City has incorporated into our web site a stormwater page that includes FAQ,
pollution prevention tips, and stormwater related links.
The City has also contracted with the Western Piedmont Council of Governments to
provide additional public education and outreach as follows:
Target Audiences
• General Public
• Decision Makers
• Teachers
• Students
• Planners
Education and Outreach Program Elements
• Special Events
• Presentations/Workshops
• School Outreach
• Online Presence
• Future Plans

ACTIVITIES
Presentations/Workshops
The Western Piedmont Water Resource Committee is the key interface used by the Western
Piedmont Council of Governments (WPCOG) to interact with local governments on the
issue of water resources. Formed in 1986, this Committee is staffed by the WPCOG and
serves in an advisory role for 30 local governments within the Greater Hickory Metro on
issues including water quality, water supply, water safety and recreation, and watershed
issues within the Upper Catawba River Basin. The Water Resources Committee consists
of individuals representing local governments, nonprofit organizations, educational
institutions and businesses from Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba Counties in
Western North Carolina.
The WRC was originally named the Catawba River Study Committee. In 2010, the
committee updated the name and mission statement to better reflect the broader nature of
the committee and to recognize that water management issues in the Yadkin River Basin
also affect our regions local governments. The mission of the group is to serves in an
advisory role for local governments and the Western Piedmont Council of Governments
Policy Board on water resources and watershed issues: including water quality, water
supply, water safety and recreation, and land -use within the regions river basins. The
committee is staffed by the WPCOG's Natural Resources Administrator whose position is
supported in part by local governments within the region.
The Western Piedmont Water Resources Committee meets four to six times per year and
stormwater information is presented at each meeting and is often a significant part of each
program. Outside experts regularly present, and there is time for dialog.

The Western Piedmont Water Quality Conference
The Western NC Water Quality Conference was held on Thursday, July 26, 2018. It is held
in conjunction with the Western NC Air Quality Conference, which was held the day after
on Friday, July 27, 2018.
The Reese Institute for the Conservation of Natural Resources and the Western Piedmont
Council of Governments hosted these Annual Conferences at Lenoir -Rhyne University in
Hickory, NC. The Western Piedmont Council of Governments organizes these unique
conferences and Lenoir -Rhyne University provides lunch and facilities.
The first Unifour Air Quality Conference was held in 2007, and it has been an annual event
ever since. The purpose of the conference is to educate the public, government officials
and the private sector on current air quality issues important to the Unifour region and
beyond. In 2013, the name of the Conference was changed from the "Unifour Air Quality
Conference" to the "Western North Carolina Air Quality Conference."
The 1st Annual Western North Carolina Water Quality Conference was held Thursday,
July 31, 2014 for an audience of over 100 attendees. The purpose of the conference was to
promote awareness and the exchange of ideas regarding current water quality issues in the
region and provide technical expertise to practitioners who have a stake in water quality.
The conference was modeled after the successful Air Quality Conference.
The conference is held specifically for Water Quality Outreach to local governments, non-
profits, and interested citizens. A great deal of emphasis is put on storrnwater and its effects
on water quality.
Although the conference took place at the end of July, much of the planning and preparation
for the conference took place during the July 2017 to June 2018-time period.
Z
O
-s

9:35 AM to 10:20 AM "The Catawba River Nutrient StudySpeaker: Brian Wrenn, Ecosystems Branch
Chief, NC Division of Water Resources
In the first session, Brian Wrenn, Ecosystems Branch Chief with the NC Division of
Natural Resources, presented the "Catawba River Nutrient Study." Session Law 2017-
2201, House Bill, Section 12 includes the NC Department on Water Quality shall conduct
a water quality sampling program for nutrients in the Catawba River. The Catawba River
is a large watershed where the NC portion is 225 miles long, and the watershed covers
approximately 3,300 square miles. The watershed includes a variety of land uses including
agriculture, forests, urban and suburban areas.
The study will look at major tributaries and existing monitoring stations to collect data.
The concept of the study is to look at existing data and land uses to identify data gaps and
hotspots; including the Ambient Monitoring System, past nutrient studies, municipalities,
etc.; to look for opportunities to expand the monitoring system, identifying data gaps and
hotspots, and determine potential nutrient sources. DWR has been conducting nutrient
monitoring in the Catawba as part of this study since February 2018. This presentation
described the study origin, study area refinement, study concept, existing data, data so far,
and next steps
Mr. Wrenn stated that as far as "Major tributary" analysis, conducting upstream,
downstream, and instream monitoring on major tributaries could be labor and cost
intensive. He continued by stating that there is limited data for the main stem watershed
between Rhodhiss Lake and Lake Norman and that not all stations have nutrient
monitoring. There are, however, ten new monitoring stations; including, Upper, Middle,
and Lower Little Rivers, Gunpowder Creek, Horseford Creek, Falling Creek, Lyle Creek,
McLin Creek, and Clark Creek. They also receive monitoring data from water intakes at
City of Hickory and City of Newton and that they began monitoring nutrients at all

CONOVER STORMWATER ANNUAL REPORT 2018
Catawba stations. Mr. Wrenn presented an online map for enhanced understanding of
results and locations and concluded by stating that there was monthly monitoring at the
new stations from February to August 2018 and that they are investigating isotopic, genetic
tracking, and fluorescence analyses for identifying sources of nutrients. A report on the
results is due October 2018.
10:25A.M. to11:00A.M. "Riparian Buffer Rule Changes"
Speaker: Sue Homewood, NC Division of Water Quality/Resources
In the second session, Sue Homewood with NC DWQ, gave an overview of the proposed
rule changes to the Riparian Buffer Protection Program Rules (including Neuse, Tar -
Pamlico, Randleman, Catawba and Goose Creek) and the Water Supply Watershed
Protection Program Rules. Ms. Homewood began by explaining the history and stated how
this rulemaking process started in 2014 and is proposed by the Environmental Management
Commission to meet the requirements of G.S. 15013-21.3A "Periodic Review and
Expiration of Existing Rules." This allowed for future buffer rule changes, which
Environmental Management Commission are in the current process of updating these rules.
These changes are currently just finished the public comment stage are staff is reviewing
these comments. Ms. Homewood said that the earliest legislation would be introduce would
be January 2019. She also gave information on where to find previous changes'or proposed
changes, which can be found at the NC Division of Water Resource's website.
Ms. Homewood then went into discussing some of the proposed rules going through this
process. The biggest change to the Riparian Buffer Rule is that is being moved from 2V
0200 titled "Water Classification and Standards" to 0600 which focuses on water quality
management plans or the 0700 nutrients management strategy. She said another big change
was the change in the wording and terminology of these rules to stay more consistent with
terms used in the permitting and regulatory sections, which makes them easier to
understand. Nothing has changed with the permitting and regulatory.

Ms. Homewood then went into the variance process and the changes. She explained the
proposed changes between the minor and major variances. This is based off the size and
time frame. There also changes in what has to brought to the Environmental Management
Commission and make the process more efficient. She also mentioned how these changes
in the rules are reflecting the session laws to help people better understand them. Ms.
Homewood concluded by making sure everyone understood all of these are proposed and
are not final changes to the rules.
Speaker: Rusty Rozelle, Mecklenburg County Stormwater
In the third session, Rusty Rozelle, with Mecklenburg County, provided a history and
overview of the Charlotte -Mecklenburg Storm Water Services (CMSWS) Water Quality
Division. CMSWS protects and improves the surface water quality of more than 3,000
miles of streams and numerous acres of lakes, ponds and wetlands. Unfortunately, many
of these surface waters have degraded water quality, habitat and aquatic life largely due to
the impacts of historical stormwater management practices and urbanization. The majority
of streams in Charlotte -Mecklenburg are designated by the state as "impaired", meaning
that they are not clean enough to support swimming, fishing, or diverse and abundant
aquatic life.

CMSWS implements some of the most innovative surface water quality management
programs in North Carolina, some that have been awarded national recognition. All of them
are focused on the goal of improving the quality and usability of our surface waters such
as streams and lakes. Water Quality areas include Monitoring, Watershed Improvement,
Watershed Protection, Illegal Discharges, Pollution Prevention, Education and Outreach,
and Volunteer programs.
1:10 P.M. to 1:55 P.M. "The information planners need to conserve nature in their jurisdictions"
Speaker: Sara A. Gagne, PhD, Associate Professor of Landscape Ecology, UNC Charlotte
In the fourth session, Dr. Sarah Gagne, Associate Professor in the Department of
Geography and Earth Sciences at the University of North Carolina -Charlotte, presented the
results of her research indicating that municipal and county -scale planning can potentially
play a major role in the conservation of biodiversity in the U.S. She solicited feedback from
over 200 planners working in counties and municipalities in ten southeastern states about
the importance of nature conservation, the drivers of nature conservation, how nature
conservation is implemented, and the information they need to more effectively implement
nature conservation. Her findings highlighted the need for collaboration between ecologists
and planners in order to produce usable and effective conservation science, which she
termed "knowledge co -production". She stated that a knowledge co -production would help
lead to "usable or actionable science through collaboration between scientists and those
who use science to make policy and management decisions". The results of her research
indicated that planners would strongly benefit from such an approach.

1 ► 1, , 1 : 1l ',, • ►����lp•, � `,IlT117►•�17E�
2:10 P.M. to 2:55 P.M. "Urban Rainscaping: Small Scale Solutions for Protecting NC Water Resources"
Speaker. Mitch Woodward, Area Specialized Agent, Watersheds and Water Quality
In the fifth session, Mitch Woodward, Area Specialized Agent, Watersheds and Water
Quality with North Carolina Cooperative Extension reviewed ongoing work at the NCSU
— Stormwater Program. He discussed 'small scale solution' retrofits for existing
development including: Downspout Disconnection; Raingarden Certification; Innovative
Water Harvesting; rain gardens; and Urban Stream Repair.
Mr. Woodward began by discussing how water is a valuable resource. It brings 20 billion
in income to the State of NC from water related activities. He described out motivating
people to take action is a key factor. He discussed the stormwater training program at NC
State, and the fact that many communities mandate stormwater Best Management Practices
(BMPs). He stated that stormwater and engineering would be a good future career choice
for current students.
Mr. Woodward continued by describing how water velocity increases with urbanization
through runoff from development, and that on one square foot of impervious surface, 45-
50 inches of rain can equal 30 gallons of runoff. He continued by discussing a 100 year
study that was done on a natural area, and how water infiltration was for that area. He then
compared that data to a human made bioretention pond, and the data is very close, showing
how effective BMPs can be. He continued by stating that NC State reports the research on
the work that they do to show this effectiveness.
Mr. Woodward stated that BMPs work and are easy to design. He then showed some
examples of things that do not work on a residential lot including a homeowner
conveyance, a hole in a curb, and a straight pipe directly into a stream. He continued by
describing the three S's of urban rainscaping —spread it out, slow it down, and soak it in.
Examples shown included practices employed on residential lot including vegetated sales,
amended soils, open drainage, etc.

He continued by describing downspout disconnection as one of the simplest and cheapest
ways to improve infiltration by just letting it run in the yard. He then gave some examples
and techniques. He demonstrated a 99 % to 59% decrease in runoff from downspout
disconnection in a study area.
Mr. Woodward then described rainwater harvesting through rain barrels or cisterns and
stated that roof size, the size of the tank, and water usage are factors in how the tanks work.
He then showed some examples of other areas that use them. He described how they
capture rainwater and slowly release it, which delays runoff. They can also be used for
irrigation. He stated that 75% of water pumped from falls lake drinking water is used for
irrigation. Harvesting rainwater can reduce this significantly. Mr. Woodward also covered
slow release drainage for the tanks, underground tanks, and technologies that can predict
how much water will be incoming so that it can release the water that is needed.
Mr. Woodward also discussed bioretention areas that can capture the first one inch of rain
that are used to replicate pre -development conditions. He then showed examples of
raingardens.
He concluded by discussing backyard stream repair which included stabilizing streams
blown out by stormwater. He provided some examples of backyard stream repair and
provided pictures from workshops done by the NC Cooperative Extension Program in the
2:55 P.M. to 3:30 P.M. Agricultural Best ManagementPracticesforWater Quality Protection" I Speaker:
Randy Willis, District Administrator, Catawba County Soil and Water; Blake Henley, Soil Conservation
Technician, Catawba County Soil and Water

CONOVER STORMWA'TER ANNUAL REPORT 2018
In the sixth and final session, Randy Willis, District Administrator, and Blake Henley, Soil
Conservation Technician, with Catawba County Soil and Water spoke about agricultural
best practices for water quality protection.
Mr. Willis discussed how Catawba County Soil and Water receives funding through the
North Carolina Soil and Water Conservation Commission. The North Carolina Soil and
Water Conservation Commission also sets the parameters for the prioritization of projects.
Mr. Willis continued to explain that even if Catawba County Soil and Water can't provide
funding for a specific issue, they can always create a conservation plan to assist the
individual. Most programs administered are cost share programs, though. The North
Carolina Ag Cost Share Program is focused on reducing pollution into water sources from
bona fide farms. For example, Catawba County Soil and Water will assist with the
installation of fencing/barriers around water sources to reduce pollution from cattle.
Mr. Henley presented on the other cost share programs provided by Catawba Count Soil
and Water. The Agricultural Water Resources Assistance Program addresses water
retention on bona fide farms by implementing best management practices like wells and
cisterns. Mr. Henley continued with the Community Conservation Assistance Program that
provides water retention assistance to non-agricultural lands.
The audience at the Western NC Water Quality Conference.
School Outreach
On July 9th 2018 WPCOG Staff also aided STEM West with a week-long workshop that
included a presentation on Water Quality and Stormwater, and a poster contest, where the
teachers worked to create posters with Stormwater messaging. Teachers at the workshop
were from Burke, Alexander, and Caldwell Counties.

Teachers working on their stormwater messaging projects
STEM
This year the WPCOG participated in five Education Matters Extreme STEM Tours. Each
tour hosts around ninety STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) students at
different locations. The tour includes visiting business locations in Catawba County for
behind the scenes tours to learn about how Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
are used in their industry. Each bus goes to a different location and spends an hour. At each
location the students will be broken up into 3 small groups and rotate through the business
and meet with various divisions /levels of employees to learn about the positions at all
levels what they do in their jobs and the training needed for the various positions. The
WPCOG's Natural Resources Administrator is present to explain the relationship between
stormwater and water quality. The tour is scheduled by WPCOG Staff every year to
specifically get stormwater messaging to the students. This year's Tours included:
• November 2, 2017 -- Grandview & Newton Conover Middle School
• March 16, 2018 -River Bend Middle School
• March 28, 2018 -Mill Creek Middle School
• April 13, 2018 - Maiden Middle School
• April 19, 2018 - Arndt Middle School

John Wear with the WPCOG presenting water quality and stormwater issues to students daring a STEM
Tour.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Hickory Earth Day/Arbor Day
This year's event was held on Saturday April 21st, 2018 at the SALT Block. WPCOG Staff
attended and hosted a stormwater display/booth. Staff used a game and prizes to attract
children and their parents to the booth. Staff takes this opportunity to teach kids and parents
community partners.
Avert Ritchie with the WPCOG setting up a display about stormwater issues daring Earth Day event.

The WPCOG has two EnviroScape models that can be used at events and in the classroom.
In the past teachers have been instructed on how to use it.
A local adult volunteer, Caroline Martin, has been trained and equipped to be a guest in
elementary classrooms. Carol attends Riverfest and Earth Day/Arbor Day every year. She
also conducts presentations for Hickory Day School and Snow Creek Elementary annually.
Caroline Martin shows children how pollution can effect water quality using an enviroscape provided by the
WPCOG during an Earth Day event in Hickory.

Online Presence
Website. A website has been developed for the WPCOG, http://www.wpcog.org/. A
direct URL to the Stormwater section is available:
httn://www.Lvpcog.org/stortnwater-partnership?SEC=%7B46D2278E-7CCA-4AF4-
8332-25D8C7BFEB02%7D&Type=B BASIC
Stormwater Partners will maintain stormwater content on their local government sites,
but can link to WPCOG.
FUTURE PLANS FOR THE STORMWATER PARTNERSHIP
Mission: Continue to grow and improve the current program.
Goal 1) Continue to focus on schools with regards to water resource education.
Goal 2) Improve the stormwater website.
Goal 3) Continue to hold a successful Western NC Water Quality Conference.
Goal 4) Continue to develop new ways to reach the public.
SECTION C: PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT AND PARTICIPATION
The City of Conover realizes the importance of public involvement in the overall success
of the Stormwater Management Plan. A citizen's Stormwater Advisory Board has been
established to hear items related to stormwater, provide a public contact and venue for
stormwater issues, and offer recommendations to the City Council.
A public meeting of the Stormwater Advisory Board was held on January 16, 2018. The
annual report was presented to the board.

SECTION D: ILLICIT DISCHARGE DETECTION AND ELIMINATION
The City of Conover continues to employ an illicit discharge detection and elimination
program. The program is organized by the Stormwater Administrator and makes use of
city staff that is in the field on a daily basis. This includes street department staff,
grounds department staff, water and wastewater department staff, and other public works
employees.
Based on the NC Model produced by the Institute of Government and adopted by the
Conover City Council in 2007, the Phase II Stormwater Ordinance, Article VII created
legal authority to prohibit illicit discharges and connections.
A storm sewer system database has been developed by city staff. Using a geographic
information system, the City has mapped drainage areas, pipes, vegetative conveyances,
curb and curb inlets, catch basins and outfalls.
An illicit discharge reporting mechanism has been established through contact numbers
and names provided on city brochures. City field staff that is likely to encounter illicit
discharges have been trained in the detection of them and instructed to call the
Stormwater Administrator in the event that such a discharge is suspected or detected.
SECTION E: CONSTRUCTION SITE RUNOFF CONTROLS
The City of Conover has entered into an inter -local agreement with Catawba County
whereby the County reviews and manages all sediment and erosion control plans for
projects 1 acre or greater. The City has taken initiative and created a process whereby
projects of less than one acre are required to agree to conditions outlined in a
sedimentation and erosion control application. These sites are monitored by City staff as
construction takes place to ensure that sediment is not leaving the site.
Plans for any project are not approved and permits are not issued until authorized by
Catawba County or the City of Conover as the size of the project dictates.

1 1 1 I: 1l '�_ s 1 1 ' 17:711IiL17F3
SECTION F: POST CONSTRUCTION SITE RUNOFF CONTROLS
The Phase II Stormwater Ordinance adopted by the Conover City Council on May 71h,
2007, and based on the model ordinance produced by the UNC School of Government,
contains provisions to implement and enforce a program to address stormwater runoff
from development and redevelopment as required by NPDES Permit NCS000431.
This ordinance provides a mechanism to ensure long-term operation and maintenance of
structural and non-structural BMPs. In addition, it requires that annual inspections of
these BMPs be performed by a qualified professional and submitted for review. As more
BMPs are installed, the City realizes the need for properly trained personnel to inspect
them. With this in mind, one member of Conover City Staff is designated as a Certified
Stormwater BMP Inspection and Maintenance Professional through the NCSU
Cooperative Extension.
Catawba County, through their Environmental Health Department, reviews and permits
on -site septic systems for domestic wastewater for Conover and other municipalities in
the county. City staff has open communication with the County concerning issues with
on -site septic system. The City has purchased signs and animal waste removal stations
that provide citizens bags to pick up pet waste and a means of disposal. Brochures
produced by the City, that address pet owners' responsibilities concerning pet waste have
been distributed to local veterinarian offices, the local library, and during National Night
Out. In addition, the local cable television government channel was utilized to remind
pet owners that fecal coli form is a pollutant and encourage them to clean up after their
animals.
SECTION G: POLLUTION PREVENTION AND GOOD HOUSEKEEPING FOR
MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS
The City has developed an operation and maintenance program that is on file with the
Conover Public Works Department. This program establishes best management practices
for city operations and requires the implementation of these standards.
The City of Conover Public Works Facility utilizes the covered storage of vehicles to
capacity. Bulk storage areas for salt and sand are covered to reduce runoff and
stormwater pollution. The City has a successful recycling program and makes use of a
street cleaner/sweeper to clean city streets between rain events. Litter pickups are
conducted in conjunction with rights -of -way mowing and reduce the amount of trash and
floatables conveyed to the MS4. Leaf vacuum is utilized in the fall.

The City has installed a stormwater wetland at the Conover City Park that not only treats
the park and Conover Station site area, but also treats a large portion of the downtown
area that was never treated before.
City Staff continues to maintain a stormwater rain garden located at City Hall and has
produced a brochure "Build Your Own Rain Garden" for use by citizens. The rain
garden has proven to be an excellent opportunity for the City to retrofit an existing
facility with a BMP and educate the public at the same time.
Training was conducted for public works personnel in best management practices, good
housekeeping, spill prevention, and clean up procedures.
UPCOMING YEAR
The City will continue public education and outreach through the Conover Neighbor,
National Night Out, Catawba Riverfest and the local government channel on Charter
Communications cable television as well as other opportunities that avail themselves.
The City has also contracted with the Western Piedmont Council of Governments to
provide public education and outreach for the upcoming year.