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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNCS000245_Raleigh 2019 Annual Report_20191031raleighnc.gov NPDES Stormwater MS4 Permit Annual Report October 1, 2018 – September 30, 2019 Permit No. NCS000245 To discharge stormwater under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Prepared by S. Wayne Miles, PE, Stormwater Program Manager 2 Stormwater MS4 Permit Annual Report Permit No. NCS000245 Table of Contents Summary .............................................................................................................................. 3 Section A: Annual Expenditures ............................................................................................. 4 Section B: Public Involvement and Participation .................................................................... 5 B.1 Program Narrative ................................................................................................. 5 B.2 Best Management Practices ................................................................................. 5 Section C: Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination ............................................................ 7 C.1 Program Narrative ................................................................................................. 7 C.2 Best Management Practices ................................................................................. 7 Section D: Construction Site Runoff Controls ....................................................................... 11 D.1 Program Narrative ............................................................................................... 11 D.2 Best Management Practices ............................................................................... 11 Section E: Post-Construction Site Runoff Controls ............................................................... 14 E.1 Program Narrative ............................................................................................... 14 E.2 Post-Construction Stormwater Management Program Measures ....................... 14 E.3 Best Management Practices ............................................................................... 14 Section F: Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations ............ 15 F.1 Program Narrative ............................................................................................... 15 F.2 Best Management Practices ............................................................................... 15 Section G: Public Education and Outreach ........................................................................... 17 G.1 Program Narrative ............................................................................................... 17 G.2 Best Management Practices ............................................................................... 17 Section H: Program to Monitor/Evaluate Stormwater Discharges to Municipal Systems ..... 20 H.1 Program Narrative ............................................................................................... 20 H.2 Best Management Practices ............................................................................... 20 Section I: Water Quality Assessment and Monitoring ......................................................... 21 I.1 Program Narrative ............................................................................................... 21 I.2 Best Management Practices ............................................................................... 21 _______________________________ S. Wayne Miles, PE Stormwater Program Manager City of Raleigh 3 Stormwater MS4 Permit Annual Report Permit No. NCS000245 Summary This report describes programs and activities undertaken during the period of October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019 as required by the City of Raleigh’s permit to discharge stormwater under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), NPDES Stormwater MS4 Permit no. NCS000245. 4 Stormwater MS4 Permit Annual Report Permit No. NCS000245 Section A: Annual Expenditures Expenditures for the City’s Stormwater Management Program for this reporting period were $12,693,787, funded by the City’s stormwater utility fee. The adopted Capital Improvement Program budget for the 2019-2020 fiscal year is $8,100,000. Table A.1: FY20 Capital Improvement Program Budget 5 Stormwater MS4 Permit Annual Report Permit No. NCS000245 Section B: Public Involvement and Participation B.1 Program Narrative The City provides several opportunities for public involvement and participation. The City’s Stormwater Management Plan is noticed and presented at a public hearing for comment by the public once per permit cycle. New regulations associated with implementing the plan are noticed and presented at a public hearing prior to adoption. The annual budget for the Stormwater Management Division is noticed and presented for public comment prior to adoption. As a means of obtaining more regular public input on policy and project related matters, the City Council established the Stormwater Management Advisory Commission (SMAC) that reviews stormwater management issues and provides guidance and recommendations to Council. SMAC is composed of ten citizens from diverse backgrounds, including the business community, environmental groups, engineers, homeowners, and the public. Monthly meetings of SMAC are open to the public, and public input is invited. B.2 Best Management Practices B.2.1 Administer a Public Involvement Program The City provides a number of public involvement opportunities annually and at the time of revising the Stormwater Management Plan. These opportunities are described below. B.2.2 Allow the public an opportunity to comment on the Stormwater Plan The Stormwater Plan is revised with each permit cycle and is presented to City Council for public hearing. The current Stormwater Management Plan, which was updated May 2015 and available for public comment June 2015, is available to the public at raleighnc.gov. B.2.3 Organize a volunteer community involvement program The City’s Stormwater Management Division sponsors four volunteer programs including Adopt-A- Stream, Foster-A-Stream, Storm Drain Marking, and Volunteer Stream Monitoring. These volunteer programs are maintained throughout the year with ongoing volunteer activities, including two Foster-A- Stream events organized by City staff and two Volunteer Stream Monitoring workshops. Information is provided at raleighnc.gov. B.2.4 Establish a Mechanism for Public Involvement SMAC was established in 2003 by a resolution adopted by City Council. It is the official citizen advisory board to City Council on issues pertaining to stormwater program policies. SMAC advises Council and staff on matters pertaining to policy changes and stormwater services and reviews the annual stormwater budget and capital improvement plan. It consists of ten members residing within the Raleigh City limits appointed by City Council to overlapping two-year terms. SMAC’s monthly meetings are open to the public. SMAC’s mission statement is: SMAC will manage resources sufficiently to protect the public infrastructure, quality of life, environment, and property of the citizens of Raleigh through fair and equitable cost-effective means. SMAC’s recommendations will seek to improve, enhance, and protect the quality of the Neuse River. Information is provided at raleighnc.gov. 6 Stormwater MS4 Permit Annual Report Permit No. NCS000245 B.2.5 Establish Hotline/Helpline The City utilizes the Stormwater Management Division’s main telephone line, (919) 996-3940, as a helpline. In 2016 the Stormwater Management Division initiated use of a dedicated email address, IllegalDischarge@raleighnc.gov, as another helpline for citizens. These helplines are maintained during working business hours. After hours and on weekends, calls regarding spills and other illicit discharges are received by the City’s 911 center and routed to the Fire Department or other appropriate department, depending on the nature and urgency of the spill or discharge. During this reporting period, approximately 113 water quality-related calls were received from citizens, with 73 of these calls originating from the dedicated water quality helpline and email. 7 Stormwater MS4 Permit Annual Report Permit No. NCS000245 Section C: Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination C.1 Program Narrative The City has had an illicit discharge program since 1995. The program consists of an ordinance detailing what constitutes an illicit discharge and an illicit connection with corresponding enforcement protocols. An illicit discharge takes the form of any non-stormwater substance that has entered the stormwater conveyance system or is likely to enter the stormwater conveyance system. An illicit connection is any connection which allows the discharge of non-stormwater substances to the stormwater conveyance system. Illicit discharges and illicit connections are identified through citizen complaints, reports from City staff across all departments, dry weather screening, and stream walks. A team of three staff are primarily dedicated to this program. Prevention measures include educating City staff and the public through a variety of means and direct mailings to categories of businesses, such as landscapers and restaurants, which have demonstrated potential for discharges. C.2 Best Management Practices C.2.1 Develop/Implement Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Program During this reporting period the Illicit Discharge and Elimination Program achieved the following results. Table C-1. Illicit Discharge and Elimination Program Achievements Achievement Count Water quality complaints investigated 139 Illicit discharges confirmed and eliminated* 110 Illicit connections confirmed and eliminated 0 NOVs issued 33 Civil penalties issued 0 Total amount of civil penalties issued $0 *Illicit discharge numbers are inclusive of illicit connection Goals of the Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Program are to respond to all water quality complaints within one business day and inspect high priority outfalls each year for dry weather flows. The City has implemented a GIS-based application to prioritize and track outfall inspections and improve record-keeping to ensure goals for these activities are met during each reporting period. C.2.2 Modify, as necessary, and maintain appropriate legal authorities The Illicit Discharge Ordinance was established in 1995 by City Council and was amended in February 2011. The ordinance was not revised during this reporting period. C.2.3 Complete the Development of a Storm Sewer Base Map and Inventory of Major MS4 Outfalls First-pass inventory for the Raleigh corporate area and Raleigh’s extra-territorial jurisdiction was completed during 2014-2015 reporting period, concluding the development of the City’s Storm Sewer System Base Map. 8 Stormwater MS4 Permit Annual Report Permit No. NCS000245 C.2.4 Maintain an inventory of Major MS4 Outfalls that discharge to waters of the State The City maintains the stormwater infrastructure and MS4 outfall inventory mapping by incorporating as- built data and completing field data collection and verification on stormwater systems (second-pass inventory). Updates to the inventory are being made to include stormwater infrastructure added to the system from new development and redevelopment projects. Second-pass inventory updates have begun in the Crabtree basin. Second-pass inventory updates have been completed in the Neuse River basin. C.2.5 Inspection/detection program to detect dry weather flows at MS4 outfalls Dry weather flow inspections are conducted per the procedures outlined in the Engineering Services Department, Stormwater Management Division Standard Procedure SW-100 Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination. A GIS-based application was utilized during this reporting period for tracking and documenting dry weather outfall inspections. Major outfalls were identified to target for inspection during the 2018-2019 reporting period. The outfalls were prioritized based on: • Impairment status of downstream water bodies • Proximity to sanitary sewer lines and manholes • Land-use • Outfall pipe size This prioritization strategy targeted outfalls susceptible to industrial and commercial illicit discharges, potential connection to sanitary sewer lines through pipe failures, dense residential development, and potential for a discharge to reach surface waters. Figure C-1 shows prioritized outfalls for the City to be inspected annually. Using this new application, 200 outfalls were inspected during this reporting period. This effort resulted in the discovery of an otherwise undetected illicit discharge and the subsequent issuance of a Notice of Violation. 9 Stormwater MS4 Permit Annual Report Permit No. NCS000245 Figure C-1. Priority Stormwater Outfalls C.2.6 Employee Training Approximately 1,220 City employees received training on illicit discharge detection during this reporting period. The City continued to transition from face-to-face training to online training to improve coverage of training among City departments and to facilitate tracking and recordkeeping of training activities. C.2.7 Provide Public Education Through the Public Education and Outreach Program, the City provides general stormwater awareness education and an introduction to problems caused by illicit discharges. The City distributes educational brochures that are targeted to specific businesses including automobile services, food services, landscaping services, food truck services, carpet cleaning services, and general illicit discharge prevention. These brochures are provided to businesses when first-time violations of the illicit discharge ordinance are observed by staff. Information for preventing illicit discharges and reporting illicit discharges also is provided on the City’s website. C.2.8 Modify, if necessary, and maintain public reporting mechanism The City utilizes the Stormwater Management Division’s main telephone line as a helpline. In 2016 10 Stormwater MS4 Permit Annual Report Permit No. NCS000245 the Stormwater Management Division initiated use of a dedicated email address, IllegalDischarge@raleighnc.gov, as another helpline for residents. During this reporting period, 142 helpline calls and/or emails from citizens were received to report possible illicit discharges. C.2.9 Establish procedures to identify and eliminate failed septic system and sanitary sewer overflows When a sanitary sewer overflow or sewer leak is identified, and when a failed septic system is located within the Raleigh City limits, procedures outlined in the Engineering Services Department, Stormwater Management Division Standard Procedure SW-100 Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination are followed. 11 Stormwater MS4 Permit Annual Report Permit No. NCS000245 Section D: Construction Site Runoff Controls D.1 Program Narrative The City has had an active Construction Site Runoff Control Program (Sedimentation and Erosion Control) since the 1970s. This program is delegated and overseen by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). This program includes ordinances, plan review, permitting, inspection, education, and enforcement activities. The City receives and responds to calls and concerns from citizens on a regular basis. SMAC reviews this program and makes recommendations to the City Council. All related ordinance changes are noticed and subject to public hearing prior to adoption. D.2 Best Management Practices D.2.1 Erosion and Sediment Control Program The Erosion and Sediment Control Program is delegated to the City by the DEQ and is evaluated by the DEQ annually. The City has adopted an Erosion and Sediment Control ordinance as part of its Development Regulations. This ordinance meets the Land Quality Division’s minimum requirements. For the reporting period program staffing included 1 Stormwater Development Supervisor, 1 Stormwater Reviewer Supervisor, 4 Senior Stormwater Engineers, 2 Stormwater Engineers, 1 Stormwater Inspections Supervisor, 3 Regional Stormwater Inspection Coordinators and 5 Stormwater Inspectors. Staffing levels varied somewhat during this period as vacancies occurred and were filled. This group handles all plan review and field inspection responsibilities for the program. D.2.2 Develop requirements for construction site operations Requirements for construction are part of the City’s Development Regulations. When plan approval and permits are obtained for any land disturbing activity over 12,000 square feet, construction site operators must coordinate with a Stormwater Compliance Inspector. The site must be maintained per these regulations throughout construction. Improper maintenance results in a notice of violation and/or a civil penalty as outlined in the Development Regulations. D.2.3 Educational and training opportunities for construction site operators The City participates in annual training seminars for designers and contractors in cooperation with the State and other local municipalities. This training provides the contractor an overview of each municipal sediment and erosion control program and requirements are associated with each. There is no charge for participating in this training seminar. This year the seminar was held on March 12, 2019 and focused on the new NCG010000 construction stormwater permit and how this may impact single-family development and permitting. D.2.4 Plan Reviews Six Stormwater Engineers manage review and approval of stormwater plans for new development sites. Stormwater, erosion and sediment control, and floodplain plans for new development are reviewed by Stormwater Engineers who report to a Senior Stormwater Engineer. Reviews include calculations and details for proposed stormwater devices. Senior Stormwater Engineers review larger projects and projects where a stormwater device is shared between multiple owners. 12 Stormwater MS4 Permit Annual Report Permit No. NCS000245 Stormwater Engineers review smaller commercial projects and single-owner projects. Approximately 902 development plans were reviewed during this reporting period. D.2.5 Public Information Complaints received concerning active construction sites are logged into a complaint database and assigned to a Stormwater Compliance Inspector. During this reporting period, 336 calls regarding construction sites were received. Response to the caller is generally made within one business day of the received complaint. The complainant is contacted with the outcome when a resolution is obtained. D.2.6 Inspection and Enforcement Procedures The stormwater inspections program is implemented by a Stormwater Inspector Supervisor and a group of 8 Stormwater Compliance Inspectors. During the past reporting period, the city was divided into two regions (as shown in Figure D-1) and a team of three Stormwater Compliance Inspectors conducts inspections in each region and coordinates with the regional Senior Stormwater Engineer, who reviews and approves erosion and sediment control plans. In addition, a team of two inspectors handle all single- family lot related inspections. 13 Stormwater MS4 Permit Annual Report Permit No. NCS000245 Figure D-1. Regional Stormwater Inspection Map Approximately 7,186 construction site inspections were made during this reporting period. Approximately 35 enforcement actions were initiated, including 2 fines for continuing violations. Each team of Stormwater Compliance Inspectors works together to address scheduled inspections, routine inspections, pre-construction meetings, plan reviews and complaint calls throughout the region. Inspectors coordinate and rotate through sites so that a “fresh” look is taken at each site and compliance is consistently enforced. This team approach also allows the inspectors to provide excellent customer service throughout their region even when a team member may be out on leave. Regional Coordinators serve as the primary point of contact, manage the regional permit database, manage the routine inspection schedule, perform and document inspections, attend pre-construction meetings, perform plan reviews, and answer complaint calls. Senior Inspectors perform and document inspections, attend pre-construction meetings, perform plan reviews, answer complaint calls and serve as a technical resource throughout the city, but primarily within their assigned region. Stormwater Management Division Standard Procedure SW-100 Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination are followed. Field inspectors perform and document inspections, attend pre-construction meetings, perform plan reviews, answer complaint calls and are mentored up through the group by working closely with the other two team members. 14 Stormwater MS4 Permit Annual Report Permit No. NCS000245 Section E: Post-Construction Site Runoff Controls E.1 Program Narrative The City’s Post-Construction Site Runoff Control Program remains in compliance with its permit through ongoing compliance with the Neuse Nutrient Sensitive Waters Management Strategy and Water Supply Watershed programs. E.2 Post-Construction Stormwater Management Program Measures The City implements the Neuse Nutrient Sensitive Waters Management Strategy [15A NCAC 2B .0251] throughout the entire planning jurisdiction of the City of Raleigh. Water Supply Watershed IV (WS-IV) Programs [15A NCAC 2H .0216] are implemented within the Falls Lake watershed, Swift Creek watershed, and Richland Creek watershed. The City’s Post-Construction Site Runoff Control Program is deemed compliant with the implementation of the above-mentioned program measures. The City has set up a private maintenance policy for owners of private properties with BMPs. Every year, the private property owner must have a licensed professional engineer or landscape architect certify the BMP is still functioning property and must send that certification to the City. If these inspections are not made, then notification and enforcement actions are undertaken. Fines in the amount of $27,500 were issued during this reporting period. There were 458 failures to submit annual inspections during this reporting period; these owners were sent “Not in Compliance” reports, and the failures were remedied and confirmed by City staff. E.3 Best Management Practices E.3.1 Establish a program under the Post-Construction minimum measure to control the sources of fecal coliform to the maximum extent practicable When a sanitary sewer overflow or sewer leak is identified, and when a failed septic system is located within the Raleigh City limits, procedures outlined in the Engineering Services Department, Stormwater Management Division Standard Procedure SW-100 Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination are followed. The following reports of leaks, overflows, or discharges by City staff were investigated during this reporting period through the Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination program: • 38 public agency sanitary sewer leaks or overflows • 32 private sanitary sewer leaks or overflows • 0 septic system discharges 15 Stormwater MS4 Permit Annual Report Permit No. NCS000245 Section F: Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations F.1 Program Narrative Responsibility for good housekeeping and pollution prevention is delegated to each of the departments that manage the various City operations. Stormwater staff assists these departments through educational activities, site assessments, advice, assistance with preparing stormwater pollution prevention plans, and implementing retrofits to capture and treat runoff. F.2 Best Management Practices F.2.1 Development an operation and maintenance program Several departments within the City manage operation and maintenance programs specific to individual facilities, operations, and the focus of their work. Each department is responsible for developing and maintaining individual operation and maintenance plans for their sites. F.2.2 Develop Site Pollution Prevention Plan for Municipal Facilities Each department is responsible for developing and maintaining Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) for each of their operations that may contribute to stormwater pollution based on the template prepared by Stormwater staff. As part of an internal City-wide audit in March of 2012 and an audit by EPA in April 2012, each site’s SWPPP was reviewed, and where necessary, modifications implemented. F.2.3 Inspection and evaluation of facilities, operations, and the MS4 system and associated structural BMPs Stormwater staff identified facilities likely to contribute to polluted runoff. Because these facilities fall under several departments, regular inspection of the facilities is the responsibility of the department that manages the facility. Stormwater staff provides guidance and assistance regarding compliance. F.2.4 Conduct staff training During this reporting period, approximately 1,220 City employees received training on good housekeeping. F.2.5 Review of municipality owned or operated regulated industrial activities The City’s Neuse River Resource Recovery Facility, Smith Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, the Little Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the City’s Solid Waste Service Center hold Industrial Stormwater Permits and are subject to operational and reporting requirements separate from the City’s NPDES Stormwater MS4 Permit requirements. F.2.6 Spill response procedures City staff follows the procedures outlined in the City Standard Operating Procedure – Administrative Regulation Handling of Hazardous Materials Emergencies. 16 Stormwater MS4 Permit Annual Report Permit No. NCS000245 Stormwater Management Division Standard Procedure SW-101 Managing Spills of Materials Which Threaten to Enter the Stormwater Conveyance System. Spill response procedures for municipal operations owned and operated by the City with the potential to generate polluted stormwater runoff are considered and included as needed in the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan developed for each individual City operation. F.2.7 Prevent or minimize contamination of stormwater runoff from all areas used for vehicle and equipment cleaning Actions taken to prevent or minimize contamination of stormwater runoff from areas used for vehicle and equipment cleaning are included in the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan developed for each individual City operation. 17 Stormwater MS4 Permit Annual Report Permit No. NCS000245 Section G: Public Education and Outreach G.1 Program Narrative The City provides a wide assortment of tools for reaching out to and educating the public including utility bill inserts, newsletters, web pages, articles, presentations at workshops, classroom education, TV and radio campaigns, and others. Tools and activities used are summarized below. G.2 Best Management Practices G.2.1 Identify target pollutants and target pollutant sources The target pollutants identified for the 2013-2018 NPDES Stormwater MS4 Permit cycle included nutrients, bacteria, sediment, and copper. Pollutant sources include atmospheric deposition, fertilizers, sanitary sewer overflows, wild and domestic animal waste, construction project sites, stream bank erosion, vehicle brake pads, and general stormwater runoff. G.2.2 Identify target audiences The target audience included residents, businesses, and construction sites as an emphasis for sediment control. G.2.3 Informational website The City’s website is raleighnc.gov. Content on this site provides information about stormwater and drainage, flood maps and floodplain mapping information, capital improvement projects, illicit discharge notification, water quality monitoring, real-time USGS river data, and volunteer programs. The Stormwater Management Division has significantly increased the amount of traffic to the website. Of the content that is tracked, stormwater-related pages reached 45,000 external page views in 2018-2019 (to date). This is up from 1,560 page views in 2016. Updating the content and sharing it through various channels (i.e. email and social media) has resulted in a 2,784% increase in total reach. The City is a partner of the Clean Water Education Partnership (CWEP), facilitated through the Triangle J Council of Governments. The CWEP manages and updates a general stormwater education website at nc-cleanwater.org that provides information about sources and effects of stormwater pollution and how residents and business owners can help prevent pollution; information for businesses, students, and teachers; and outreach materials including social media, television public service announcements, radio public service announcements, movie theater pre-roll public service announcements and print advertisements, including Hispanic publications, also provides direct education and outreach at events utilizing AmeriCorps staff and staff from Piedmont Triad Regional Council. G.2.4 Develop and distribute public education material to identified user groups The City has general stormwater awareness brochures targeted for homeowners. This brochure educates homeowners on sources and causes of stormwater pollution and offers solutions for preventing pollution around the home. These brochures are distributed to residents at community events and are available to download from the City’s website. 18 Stormwater MS4 Permit Annual Report Permit No. NCS000245 The City has illicit discharge educational brochures targeted for specific businesses including automobile services, food services, landscaping, and general illicit discharge prevention. These brochures are available to download from the City’s website and are distributed to businesses when first-time violations of the Illicit Discharge Ordinance are observed by staff. G.2.5 Media campaign The City is a partner of the Clean Water Education Partnership (CWEP) formed from numerous municipal governments in eastern and central North Carolina. CWEP produces a large multi-media campaign including television public service announcements, radio public service announcements, and a stormwater informational website www.nc-cleanwater.org. The CWEP Annual Report is submitted directly to the North Carolina Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources by the Triangle J Council of Governments on behalf of the City. The City uses Raleigh Television Network and social media platforms (i.e. Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube) to distribute stormwater education media campaigns. Over the last year, the City focused on creating short informational videos for Facebook and Twitter that provide content on Raleigh Rainwater Rewards, illegal discharge, stormwater education, and volunteer programs. The City also shared CWEP’s informational videos on stormwater pollution via social media. All videos are available on YouTube and generate traffic to the website (about 6,000 external page views). Social media video campaigns reached 6,500 organic views (posts that were not promoted with advertising dollars) and 53,100 impressions (how many times people saw the post). The Stormwater Management Division also completed a media campaign with storm drain art to educate residents about water pollution. The campaign generated nearly 600 page views to the website. Other stats include more than 460 likes and nearly 39,000 impressions on Twitter, including connecting the artwork to a new Citrix bike station on Chavis Way. We also reached a new audience on Instagram through Raleigh Arts, Downtown Raleigh Alliance, and Raleigh Gov accounts – these posts averaged about 154 likes per organic post (well above Stormwater’s average reach). The artwork also was featured locally with ABC11 and Raleigh Magazine as well as on a national level with U.S. News & World Report. G.2.6 Establish hotline/helpline The City has utilized the Stormwater Management Division’s main telephone line, (919) 996-3940, as a helpline since 1995. In 2016, the City added an email address IllegalDischarge@raleighnc.gov as another helpline for residents. These helplines are maintained during working business hours. During this reporting period, 142 water quality-related helpline calls or emails were received. G.2.7 Public Education and Outreach Program Below is a summary of public education and outreach elements that were completed during this reporting period. 1) Targeted direct social media and web campaign to food trucks operating in Raleigh, including partnering with Wake County to provide information to food truck owners during the permitting process and when they are having events at Dix Park 2) Targeted social media campaign and direct mail sent to 80 carpet cleaning service companies operating in Raleigh 3) Direct contact/interaction with 121 citizens about the Raleigh Rainwater Rewards Program 4) Flood and hurricane awareness event held in partnership with the NC Museum of Natural Sciences and WRAL for the public education/awareness 19 Stormwater MS4 Permit Annual Report Permit No. NCS000245 5) Utility bill inserts for the City’s Urban Watersheds newsletter to 145,000 residents, including flood-precaution information in July and general information about stormwater programs in February (The newsletter also is distributed digitally on a quarterly basis). The City increased print distribution from 800-1600 per year at community centers to 145,000 by direct reach to residents 6) Public presentations to citizens advisory committees and neighborhoods near capital improvement projects 7) Stormwater staff attendance at community festivals 8) Storm drain marking 9) Adopt-A-Stream and Foster-A-Stream stream cleanups 10) Volunteer water quality monitoring 11) Presentations to school groups, Faith Communities and Professional Organizations, including Earth Day events 12) News coverage in ABC 11, CBS17, Raleigh Magazine, Spectrum News, The News & Observer, US News & World Report, WRAL, and WUNC 13) Real time data and flood information pushed out via social media 14) Distribution of educational brochures at City offices and at outreach events 15) Volunteer activities advertised through email marketing and social media platforms 16) Email campaigns focused on education/outreach opportunities in schools and the Capture it! Contest; Raleigh Rainwater Rewards; stormwater pollution awareness; volunteer opportunities; development requirements for stormwater; flood education; stormwater control measure inspections; rain barrel resources; and project updates 20 Stormwater MS4 Permit Annual Report Permit No. NCS000245 Section H: Program to Monitor and Evaluate Stormwater Discharges to Municipal Systems H.1 Program Narrative A program to monitor stormwater management and housekeeping at facilities that hold Stormwater NPDES Industrial Permits was added to the City’s NPDES Stormwater MS4 Permit with its renewal in July 2007 and remains in the permits that were renewed in 2013 and 2018. This new program was included in the City’s July 2008 Stormwater Management Plan and remains in the plan updated in May 2015. The City maintains a list of approximately 55 industrial facilities provided by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The City’s program provides for inspecting facilities with Stormwater NPDES Industrial Permits at least every three years. H.2 Best Management Practices H.2.1 Maintain an inventory of industrial sites The City maintains and updates a list of industrial facilities, as described in Section H.1. During this reporting period, the City received no notifications from DEQ of changes in Stormwater NPDES Industrial Permits within the area of the City’s NPDES Stormwater MS4 Permit. H.2.2 Inspection program The City maintains protocols for reporting to DEQ issues of noncompliance with Stormwater NPDES Industrial Permits. Illicit discharge staff and stormwater inventory staff are trained in how to conduct inspections. In addition, the City uses information from drainage system inventory inspections, observation by stormwater inspectors, and follow up to citizen complaints to identify and address problem facilities. The City inspected 47 sites during this reporting period; of these, no permitted industrial facilities were found to be out of compliance. H.2.3 Establish an implement evaluation measures The City evaluates compliance of facilities with Stormwater NPDES Industrial Permits in accordance with conditions in each facility’s permit. 21 Stormwater MS4 Permit Annual Report Permit No. NCS000245 Section I: Water Quality Assessment and Monitoring I.1 Program Narrative The original monitoring required as part of the NPDES Stormwater MS4 Permit application included end- of-pipe sampling for various land uses. More recent monitoring has moved away from end-of-pipe monitoring and is focused primarily on ambient stream sampling. The City’s goal is to assess the status and changes in water quality of water bodies in Raleigh. This is achieved through the application of the practices detailed below. I.2 Best Management Practices I.2.1 Water Quality Assessment and Monitoring Plan The City maintains a Water Quality Assessment and Monitoring Plan, updated October 2016. This plan includes monitoring locations, monitoring schedule, monitoring parameters, laboratory analytical methods, data evaluation and assessment methods, and reporting protocols. The resulting data establish baseline levels of water quality in each stream and provide an indication of the presence of pollutants in stormwater originating in each watershed. I.2.2 Water quality monitoring Monitoring data were collected at the 18 monitoring sites identified in the Water Quality Assessment and Monitoring Plan to characterize water quality conditions within major watersheds in the City’s jurisdiction. Samples are collected four times per year, resulting in four sampling dates during this reporting period: December 20, 2018; March 19, 2019; June 12, 2019; and September 12, 2019. Samples were analyzed for E. coli, total phosphorus, turbidity, total suspended solids, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, nitrate + nitrite, ammonia nitrogen, copper, and zinc by an NC DEQ certified laboratory. At each site, City staff recorded pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and temperature. I.2.3 Revisions to Water Quality Assessment and Monitoring Plan The Water Quality Assessment and Monitoring Plan was updated on September 30, 2015. The revisions included laboratory standard methods, detection limits, sample volumes, and other analytical considerations that went into effect September 30, 2015. These updates were incorporated into an updated Water Quality Assessment and Monitoring Plan. No changes have been made to this plan since then.