NCS000406_Wilmington 2021 Annual Report_20211029

PERMIT NO. NCS000406

City of Wilmington, North Carolina

ANNUAL NPDES PERMIT REPORT

Prepared by:
City of Wilmington, NC
Stormwater Services
PO Box 1810
209 Coleman Drive
Wilmington, NC 28412
NPDES Permit No.: NCS000406
Reporting Year: July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION 1

Stormwater Management Plan Overview 1

Program Implementation Status 1

CITY OF WILMINGTON STORMWATER SERVICES OVERVIEW 2

Management and Planning 4

Organization Chart of the Stormwater Services Division 4

Estimated FY 20-21 Stormwater Management Fund Budget for NPDES 6

Regulatory Enforcement 7

Public Services Code Enforcement… 7

Compliance through Public Education 7

Yard Waste 7

Pet Waste 7

Illicit Discharges 8

Cape Fear Public Utility Authority 8

Capital Improvements 9

In-House Projects 10

Operations and Maintenance 11

Yearly Maintenance Activities Chart 11

Water Quality 13

Monitoring Program Overview 13

Water Quality Methods 13

Wilmington (New Hanover County) Watersheds Map 15

Wilmington Watersheds Yearly Monitoring Report (UNCW) 16

2020-2021 NPDES PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS & ANNUAL REPORTING 20

PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OUTREACH 22

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT AND PARTICIPATION 26

ILLICIT DISCHARGE DETECTION AND ELIMINATION (IDDE) 28

CONSTRUCTION SITE RUNOFF CONTROLS 33

POST CONSTRUCTION SITE RUNOFF CONTROLS 34

POLLUTION PRVENTION AND GOOD HOUSEKEEPING 42

TOAL MAXIMUM DAILY LOADS (TMDLs) 48

APPENDICES 60

APPENDIX A: PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION INCLUDING 61
MODIFICATIONS AND JUSTIFICATION

APPENDIX B: PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OUTREACH 62

APPENDIX C: PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT AND PARTICIPATION 108

APPENDIX D: ILLICIT DISCHARGE DETECTION AND ELIMINATION 140
(IDDE)

APPENDIX E: CONSTRUCTION SITE RUNOFF CONTROLS 145

APPENDIX F: POST-CONSTRUCTION SITE RUNOFF CONTROLS 149

APPENDIX G: POLLUTION PREVENTION & GOOD HOUSEKEEPING 154

APPENDIX H: TOTAL MAXIMUM DAILY LOADS (TMDLs) 155

APPENDIX I: REGULATORY ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS 180

APPENDIX J: MAJOR OUTFALL LOCATIONS AND DESCRIPTION 182
TABLE

APPENDIX K: DEFINITION 188

1

INTRODUCTION

Stormwater Management Plan Overview
The North Carolina Division of Water Quality issued NPDES Phase II Permit NCS000406 to the City of
Wilmington effective February 1, 2018. The Stormwater Management Plan is the City of Wilmington’s
program to comply with NPDES Phase II permit NCS000406 for stormwater discharges from Small
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s). The plan defines strategies and guidelines necessary for
protecting water quality and reducing pollutant discharges to the maximum extent practicable. The plan also
includes reporting results for the current yearly reporting period from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021.
The plan is a guidance document to be used by the City staff and the general public. The plan is evolving
and will address needs and priorities that will be reflected in compliance programs over the 5 year
implementation schedule.
As required by EPA regulations for the NPDES Phase II stormwater programs, the following six minimum
measures are addressed in the plan:
1. Public Education and Outreach
2. Public Participation and Involvement
3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
4. Construction Site Runoff Control
5. Post-Construction Runoff Control
6. Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations

Program Implementation Status
The City of Wilmington is pleased to report excellent progress for year 3 compliance with requirements of
NPDES Phase II permit NCS000406. Primary areas of work include:
• Identified and inspected 18 City-owned sites for Pollution Prevention/ Good Housekeeping
(PP/GH) review with our consultants Moffatt & Nichol.
• Continued mapping updates of stormwater infrastructure along with improvements to the
GIS database design, such as SCM database improvements and previous annexation area
inventory updates.
• Continuation of Public Outreach and Public Participation efforts.
• Conducted IDDE training for City Engineering and Code Enforcement Staff.
• Conducted Stormwater Control Measure (SCM) Operation and Maintenance (O&M) training and/or
certification for our Stormwater Field Crews.
• The Heal Our Waterways Program continued its forward momentum this year with more
installations, widespread social media campaigns, and greater awareness among City departments .

Wilmington continues to move forward with implementing the necessary goals and objectives as
outlined in the permit. Considerable emphasis related to Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination and
Good Housekeeping/ Pollution Prevention has been made during the past year and with planning for site

2

visits conducted with Moffatt & Nichol consultants to make programmatic improvements to prepare the
City for a future audit of our stormwater program by NC DEQ in the upcoming years. We continue to
have success with our public outreach and participation program and education to the public. The City
remains focused on improving the water quality for the areas surrounding water bodies as indicated by
UNCW’s Center for Marine Science annual contract for ambient monitoring of water quality on creeks
within the City.

CITY OF WILMINGTON STORMWATER SERVICES OVERVIEW

Comprehensive Stormwater Management
Comprehensive stormwater management takes into account both the quantity and quality of stormwater
runoff and is reflected in five core components of Wilmington’s Stormwater Services program:

Management & Planning
Master planning utilizes the existing GIS stormwater system inventory to develop a long range plan to
improve drainage and water quality within an entire watershed. When planning on such a large scale,
Stormwater Services seeks involvement and input from citizens and stakeholders. Management
activities also include customer service – responding to customer concerns or inquiries and
administrative services required for operation of the City stormwater utility.

Regulatory and Enforcement
Regulatory and enforcement activities are outlined in the City’s existing stormwater ordinance requiring
comprehensive stormwater management and creating technical standards for design and maintenance of
private stormwater facilities that are associated with new development. The Engineering Department
Stormwater review staff perform all stormwater management plan reviews and issues stormwater
discharge permits.
Stormwater Services, Public Services Department, provides annual inspections for privately permitted
stormwater retention/wet pond facilities. These inspections are performed in order to ensure compliance
with the approved operations and maintenance standards. Compliance with NPDES Phase II
stormwater regulations also fall into this category.

Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
The stormwater utility provides dedicated funding and staff resources for planning, designing, and
constructing capital improvement projects (CIP) and for performing routine maintenance and drainage
infrastructure inspections and rehabilitation. The CIP projects are necessary when the existing storm
drainage system is inadequate and can result in flooded streets, houses, and businesses. Capital
improvement projects require collaboration among City departments, outside agencies, and citizens in
affected areas. Whenever feasible, capital improvement projects incorporate innovative design such as
stream restoration, green infrastructure, or stormwater control measures (SCM’s) to improve water
quality and reduce the volume of stormwater runoff. A current CIP, Clear Run Branch, includes a grant
from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for funding assistance to re-establish a floodplain and
restore the stream for water quality and aquatic habitat benefits.

3

Operations and Maintenance
The City of Wilmington’s Stormwater Services Division, Operations and Maintenance Section, is
responsible for maintaining the public drainage system. Maintenance activities are programmed in the
following sections: open drainage, closed drainage, street sweeping/pipe and inlet clearing, and
stormwater control measures (SCM’s). The open drainage system consists of publicly accepted roadside
swales, man-made ditches and channels and naturally occurring creeks and ponds. The closed drainage
system consists of underground pipes, culverts, catch basins, manholes and related structures.
Both of these systems are maintained using manual and mechanical techniques to ensure that they
remain free of debris, sediment and scour for proper drainage. Street sweeping provides preventative
sweeping, vacuuming and other required maintenance to minimize the volume of gross solids; ie: trash,
litter, debris, sediment, and other pollutants entering the open or closed drainage systems. Pervious
pavement is also maintained by this section. SCM inspections and maintenance consists of activities
necessary to manage over 90 city-owned SCM facilities; including wet ponds, constructed wetlands,
bio-retention and infiltration facilities in functioning condition. As listed above, all O&M staff receive
training on water quality, SCM maintenance and other best practices such as riparian buffer
management.

Water Quality
Water quality monitoring is executed by the University of North Carolina at Wilmington under annual
contract with the City. Monitoring is performed on specific creeks and waterways within the City limits.
Monitoring tests for specific pollutants and resulting data is used to plan water quality improvements or
as a part of capital improvement projects, guide outreach and education efforts, assess water quality at
the sites monitored, identify persistent pollutant discharge areas or points, help to build a framework for
future detection and tracing of pollutant sources and obtain project-specific grant funding.
In addition, Stormwater Services implements an extensive Outreach, Education, and Public Involvement
program that serves the citizens of Wilmington. The program includes a wide array of water quality
education programming and materials. These programs include school presentations (using the
watershed model and other materials), homeowner association outreach, raingarden design and
installation, stormwater publications and giveaways, scheduled stream clean-up days, mass media
advertising, special event exhibits, workshops, storm drain marking, and collaborative efforts such as
grant projects with NC State University, UNC-Wilmington and other NGO’s. Two ongoing/noteworthy
USEPA 319 grant projects are:
• Willard St. – wet pond to wetland retrofit (Jumping Run Branch).
• University Commons wet pond – retrofit to stormwater wetland (Clear Run Branch).
These efforts strive to improve water quality in the runoff entering waterbodies, educate and engage
citizens in protecting and improving local water quality through awareness, education, behavior
modification and action.

4

Management and Planning
Organization Chart of the Stormwater Services Division

5

6

Estimated FY 20-21 Stormwater Management Fund Budget for NPDES

FY20-21 FY 21-22
Adopted Adopted

REVENUES

Storm Water Utility Fees 9,825,988 9,660,407
City Streets Storm Water Fees 2,939,139 3,042,744
Storm Water Discharge permits 51,000 51,000
NCDOT Drainage Maintenance 37,000 37,000
Interest Earnings 56,795 20,000
Miscellaneous - -
Appropriated Fund Balance - -

TOTAL REVENUES 12,909,922 12,852,468

EXPENDITURES

Public Services 6,064,197 6,564,992
Non-departmental 1,621,495 1,498,901
Debt Service 1,824,230 1,813,575
Contingency - -
Transfer to Capital Project Fund 3,400,000 2,975,000

TOTAL EXPENDITURES 12,909,922 12,852,468 1

1 The FY 2021 budget was adopted by the Wilmington City Council on June 15, 2021.

7

Regulatory and Enforcement

Public Services Code Enforcement

The City’s stormwater ordinance required by this permit has been effective since November 1, 2009.
Citizens can report suspected pollution through the Stormwater Hotline and the webpage reporting form.
All complaints received by the Stormwater Division either from the public or from City staff is investigated;
corrective action is prescribed; documented and followed until the violation is resolved.

A Enforcement/Civil Penalty Guidance tool has been developed and is now being used to ensure
consistency and help to guide the decision making process for NOVs and Civil Penalty issuance. Any
complaints received that have environmental impacts other than stormwater or fall outside the City’s
regulatory authority are referred to DENR DWQ Wilmington Regional Office.

In an effort to maximize voluntary compliance, the City has, and will continue to develop and distribute
educational materials to targeted populations in an aggressive manner. Consequently, all complaints
provide the opportunity to educate the public on the issues that threaten stormwater, the best management
practices for prevention, the awareness of our city’s stormwater program and the ordinance.

Compliance through Public Education

The stormwater code enforcement program goal is to maximize voluntary compliance through public
education and to use enforcement through penalties as a last resort. Staff has found that most stormwater
ordinance violations can be resolved through public education. Most of the people encountered violating the
ordinances are not even aware of their wrongdoings. Teaching them why they are in violation and why it
matters works because most people want to do the right thing. There are very few repeat offenders. In
Fiscal Year 2020-2021, a total of 3 repeat offenders were identified. Our enforcement and civil penalties are
reserved for; 1) serious discharges and spills with the potential of harming human health and the
environment, 2) repeat offenders, and 3) as a last resort to achieve compliance.

The program developed an assortment of educational material for targeted audiences, as well as targeted
pollutants that teach the public about our stormwater ordinance and pollution prevention. For other
circumstance specific letters are written with instructions to guide violators to a solution and compliance
expectations. This clear outline of the City’s expectations is a powerful tool for preventing future pollution
problems.

Yard Waste

Yard waste violations receive a face to face meeting and a standardized letter explaining the ordinance and
the reasons why it is necessary. Also highlighted are the expectations for compliance and civil penalties for
any future violations. This letter is accompanied by a poster in English or Spanish and in various sizes. The
poster’s objective is to help educate landscape companies and their employees on the ordinance
requirements that keep yard waste out of the drainage system and surface waters and the city’s expectations.

Pet Waste

Pet waste education and action is a significant focus for Stormwater Services. Reports of pet waste
violations receive a face to face meeting if possible. A brochure and flyer has been developed explaining
the dangers of pet waste bacteria in surface waters that includes the city’s expectations of the ordinance and
penalty amounts for any violations. Pet waste message flags are used and distributed with ordinance
information at parks and public places, such as in specific neighborhoods in response to complaints. The pet
waste flyer is also available in a poster size for educating the public in parks and common areas. Pet waste
stations are planned and added each year in high pedestrian traffic areas as our budget allows.

8

Illicit Discharges

Reports of illicit discharges are addressed on a case by case basis. Informational posters and brochures for
general use have been developed for distribution and others for specific common source types. These
posters are distributed to specific types of businesses to display for employees in restaurants, vehicle
maintenance businesses, construction site on industry specific issues and best management practices to
avoid and prevent stormwater pollution.

Cape Fear Public Utility Authority

The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) currently employs three Environmental Compliance
Officers, one Environmental Compliance Supervisor, and one Environmental Compliance Manager that
implement and enforce elements of the City’s NPDES Wastewater Discharge Permit to include the City’s
Collection System Permit. As part of those requirements the group regulates sanitary sewer overflows
(SSOs) and eliminates any wastewater or other polluted waters from leaving their system. They respond to
reports and investigate leads generated by the public or monitoring results as part of their permit
requirement and respond using public education, enforcement and maintenance. The CFPUA copies the City
on all SSOs and follows up with monitoring results and clean up measures. The CFPUA has maintained
right of entry on the properties that it services. The city and CFPUA are working together to keep open lines
of communication, continue to build relationships and combine resources in a continued effort to locate
chronic leaks and minimize release to MS4.

The CFPUA and the City continue to utilize the joint policy established in 2011 for the reporting and
documentation of SSOs and leaks. This policy provides procedures for CFPUA to follow regarding
reporting and documentation of SSOs the impact the City’s MS4. These guidelines will enable the City to
comply with Phase II reporting requirements as well as provide assistance to CFPUA in mitigating any
potential threat to public health and environment. This policy is attached in Appendix D.

9

Capital Improvements

10

In-House Projects

1. BL 300 Early Dr.
Installed 20 casting, frame & grate complete

2. 116 Bryan Rd.
Installed 64 ft. of 15” RC Pipe

3. 6209 Mallard St.
1 Head wall

Total

$ 3,666.60

$ 403.20

$ 452.00

$ 4,521.80

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Operations and Maintenance
Yearly Maintenance Activities Chart – Intelligov data (7/1/2020-2/14/2021), Munis Data (2/15/2021-6/30/2021)

Intelligov
Amount Unit of Measure Total Labor Hrs.Total Cost
SECTION 1: CONSTRUCTION
C-1 Construction - Structure 27.00 each 851.50 56,730.92$
C-1 Construction - Pipe 64.00 ft.311.00 18,046.39$
C-2 Construction - Flume each - -$
C-0 Construction- Pipe replacement 1.00 ft.15.00 881.62$
C-3 Construction - Ditch each - -$
C-3 Construction - BMP - each - -$
C-0 Construction - Stock pile material 10.00 load 42.50 3,258.68$
C-0 Construction - Plan work 31.00 975.97$
1,251.00 79,893.58$
SECTION 2: INSPECTION
I-1 Inspection - Closed 2,035.65 82,397.59$
I-1 Inpection - Video 27,123.00 ft.951.00 33,034.14$
I-1 Inspection-Video data management - -$
I-1 Inspection-new system - -$
I-1 Inspection-Survey - -$
I-2 Inspection-Open 244.00 8,020.68$
I-3 Inspection-BMP 22.00 each 241.50 5,788.44$
I-3 Inspection-Lake 3.00 each 10.00 458.29$
I-4 Inspection-Tide gate each - -$
I-0 Inspection-Miscellaneous - -$
I-0 Inspection-Plan work 8.00 513.49$
3,490.15 130,212.63$
SECTION 3: MAINTENANCE
M-1 Maintenance-BMP 236.00 each 2,228.00 101,789.86$
M-1 Maintenance-Right of Way 795.50 33,999.78$
M-2 Maintenance-Ditching manual 69,607.00 ft.1,357.00 41,026.91$
M-3 Maintenance-Ditching mechanical 13,171.00 ft.1,047.00 79,428.31$
M-4 Maintenance-Culvert 2.00 each 14.00 832.02$
M-5 Maintenance-Pipe 56,781.00 ft.1,450.50 79,869.05$
M-5 Maintenance-Structure 5,327.00 each 2,021.00 95,993.16$
M-5 Maintenance-Reset cover 96.00 each 128.50 4,170.61$
M-6 Maintenance-Lake 24.00 each 173.00 5,727.77$
M-7 Maintenance-Mowing 128,386.00 ft.930.50 49,240.96$
M-7 Maintenance-Mowing right of way 20.12 acre 104.00 4,856.63$
M-8 Maintenance-Tide gate each - -$
M-9 Maintenance-Sweep streets 3,977.03 mile 2,252.50 263,291.58$
M-9 Maintenance-Sweep support 820.00 60,843.70$
M-10 Maintenance-Haul waste 366.00 load 823.50 60,345.54$
M-10 Maintenance-Screen material - -$
M-11 Maintenance-equipment 933.25 41,576.72$
M-0 Maintenance-Yard 482.50 18,997.07$
M-0Maintenance- Ditching (creek walk thru)7981.00 ft.394.00 10,354.15$
M-0 Maintenance-Plan work 89.50 6,521.12$
16,044.25 958,864.94$
SECTION 4: REPAIR
R-1 Repair-Pipe failure 30.00 each 1,424.25 79,702.61$
R-2 Repair Pipe work 1.00 ft.192.50 8,016.05$
R-2 Repair-Convert structure 2.00 each 131.00 5,495.45$
R-3 Repair Structure 23.00 each 506.00 20,275.53$
R-4 Repair Erosion ft.
R-5 Repair Replace cover 49.00 each 64.50 5,652.80$
R-5 Repair Tidegate each - -$
R-0 Repair- Plan work 28.00 1,015.96$
2,346.25 120,158.40$

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Munis
Amount Unit of Measure Total Labor Hrs.Total Cost
SECTION 1: CONSTRUCTION
STM1900 Construction-Flume 5 each 57 3,713.57$
STM1202 Construction-Ditch 0 each 0 -$
STM0603 Construction-Pipe Replacement 60 ft.289.50 22,906.99$
STM0102 Construction-SCM 0 each 0 -$
STM2700 Construction-Stock Pile Material 12 load 48 3,927.62$
STM0702 Construction-Structure Installation 2 each 240.50 12,901.71$
635 43,449.89$
SECTION 2: INSPECTION
STM2000 Inspection- Closed 1016 each 1614.50 57,059.52$
STM2001 Inspection-Open 4 each 16 532.58$
STM 0100 Inspection-SCM 8 each 125.50 2,967.02$
STM0400 Inspection-Survey 36.50 1,029.76$
STM0500 Inspection-Video 23601 ft.711.50 25,710.29$
2504.00 87,299.17$
SECTION 3: MAINTENANCE
STM1101 Maintenance- Acreage Mowing 59.79 acre 421.01 33,999.62$
STM2600 Maintenance- Creek Walk Thru 14736 ft.307 10,802.53$
STM0801 Maintenance- Reset Cover 61 each 72.50 2,337.46$
STM1400 Maintenance-Equipment Repair 478 20,278.28$
STM1800 Maintenance-Haul Waste 133 load 309 48,951.80$
STM1200 Maintenance-Manual Ditching 76279 ft.865 26,134.83$
STM1201 Maintenance-Mechanical Ditching 5214 ft.1069.50 76,481.92$
STM0604 Maintenance-Pipe 21532 ft.277 47,017.97$
STM2400 Maintenance-Pot Hole 1279 each 545 15,351.23$
STM2800 Maintenance-Right of Way 255.50 14,635.71$
STM0101 Maintenance-SCM 168 each 1667 84,390.59$
STM1700 Maintenance-Screen Material 0 -$
STM1100 Maintenance-Slope Mowing 278544 ft.729.80 52,580.42$
STM0703 Maintenance-Structure 587.00 each 306.50 11,107.88$
STM1300 Maintenance-Sweep Streets 3603.38 mile 2633.50 317,752.99$
STM2100 Maintenance-Yard 388.00 13,619.21$
10324.31 775,442.44$
SECTION 4: REPAIR
STM0600 Repair-Cave In 12 each 114 4,853.27$
STM0701 Repair-Convert Structure 1 each 43 2,065.57$
STM1203 Repair-Erosion ft.0 -$
STM0601 Repair-Pipe Rehabilitation 9 each 513.75 42,898.48$
STM0800 Repair-Replace Cover 34 each 47.50 5,524.93$
STM0700 Repair-Structure 9 each 345 16,657.60$
STM1204 Repair- Flume each 0 -$
1063.25 71,999.85$
Other
STM0200 Assessment 157.75 5,639.00$
STM2500 Special Request 134 6,869.50$
STM1600 Pumping 117 4,503.10$
408.75 17,011.60$

13

Water Quality
Monitoring Program Overview
In October 1997, the City of Wilmington contracted with the UNCW Center for Marine Science for a
project with the goal of assessing water quality in Wilmington City watersheds under base flow conditions.
Also, certain sites were analyzed for sediment heavy metals concentrations (EPA Priority Pollutants). New
Hanover County also participated in this effort for tidal creeks outside of City jurisdiction. UNCW
produced a combined report of results entitled Environmental Quality of Wilmington and New Hanover
County Watersheds. Immediately below is an overview of their work methods. Following this overview is
the executive summary of their most recent report.
The water quality data in these reports are presented from a watershed perspective. Some of the watersheds
cross political boundaries (i.e. parts of the same watershed may lie in the County but not the City). Howe
and Whiskey Creeks are examples. Water quality parameters analyzed in the tidal creeks include water
temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, salinity/conductivity, turbidity, nitrate, ammonium, orthophosphate,
chlorophyll a, and in selected creeks fecal coliform bacteria. Similar analyses were carried out in the City
watersheds with the addition of total nitrogen (TKN), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), total
suspended solids (TSS) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) at selected sites.
Water Quality Methods
Field parameters were measured at each site using a YSI 6920 Multiparameter Water Quality Probe (sonde)
linked to a YSI 650 MDS display unit. Individual probes within the instruments measured water
temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, salinity, and conductivity. YSI Model 85 and 55 dissolved
oxygen meters were also used on occasion. The instruments were calibrated prior to each sampling trip to
ensure accurate measurements. The UNCW Aquatic Ecology laboratory is State-Certified for field
measurements (temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen and pH) and for laboratory chlorophyll a
measurements.
The analytical method used to measure chlorophyll a is described in Welschmeyer (1994) and US EPA
(1997). Chlorophyll a concentrations were determined from the 1.0 micrometer glass fiber filters used for
filtering samples for nitrate+nitrite and orthophosphate analyses. All filters were wrapped individually in
aluminum foil, placed in an airtight container and stored in a freezer. During the analytical process, the
glass filters were separately immersed in 10 ml of a 90% acetone solution. The acetone was allowed to
extract the chlorophyll from the material for 18-24 hours. The solution containing the extracted chlorophyll
was then analyzed for chlorophyll a concentration using a Turner AU-10 fluorometer. This method uses an
optimal combination of excitation and emission bandwidths that reduces errors in the acidification
technique.
Nutrients (nitrate, ammonium, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, total nitrogen, orthophosphate, and total phosphorus)
and total suspended solids (TSS) were analyzed by a state-certified contract laboratory using EPA and
APHA techniques. We also computed inorganic nitrogen to phosphorus molar ratios for relevant sites
(N/P). Fecal coliform concentrations were determined using a membrane filtration (mFC) method (APHA
1995).
For a large wet detention pond (Ann McCrary Pond on Burnt Mill Creek) and for a constructed wetland on
Kerr Avenue (at the headwaters area of Burnt Mill Creek) UNCW collected data from input (control) and
outfall stations. This data was used to test for statistically significant differences in pollutant concentrations
between pond input and output stations. The data were first tested for normality using the Shapiro-Wilk
test. Normally distributed data parameters were tested using the paired-difference t-test, and non-normally

14

distributed data parameters were tested using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank test. Statistical analyses were
conducted using SAS (Schlotzhauer and Littell 1987).

15

Wilmington (New Hanover County) Watersheds Map

16

Wilmington Watersheds Yearly Monitoring Report (UNCW)

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY OF WILMINGTON AND
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATERSHEDS, 2020
by
Michael A. Mallin, Matthew R. McIver, Amy E. Grogan and Lawrence B.
Cahoon

CMS Report 21-01
Center for Marine Science
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, N.C. 28409

April 2021

http://www.uncw.edu/cms/aelab/

Funded by:

The City of Wilmington, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Project No. A18-0031) and the NCDEQ
319 Program (Federal Award No. 99465719), through Cape Fear River Watch (Subaward No. 2020-
03-24-01).

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Executive Summary

This report represents results of Year 23 of the Wilmington Watersheds Project. Water quality data are
presented from a watershed perspective, regardless of political boundaries. The 2020 program involved
5 watersheds and 20 sampling stations. In this summary we first present brief water quality overviews
for each watershed from data collected between January and December 2020. As part of a change in
priorities, sampling at Barnards, Howe, Motts and Whiskey Creek were suspended for the time being to
emphasize upper Bradley Creek and the Greenfield Lake watershed, both of which are scheduled for
restoration measures.

Barnards Creek – Barnards Creek drains into the Cape Fear River Estuary. It drains a 4,173 acre
watershed that consists of 22.3% impervious surface coverage, and a human population of
approximately 12,200. Due to Covid-19 and resource re- allocation, sampling was suspended here in
2020.

Bradley Creek – Bradley Creek drains a watershed of 4,583 acres, including much of the UNCW
campus, into the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AICW – Plate 1). The watershed contains about
27.8% impervious surface coverage, with a population of about 16,470. A new site, BC-RD, on upper
Clear Run at Racine Dr. was added to the three previous sites (BC-CA, Clear Run at College Acres; BC-
NB, Bradley Creek north branch at Wrightsville Ave., and BC-SB, Bradley Creek south branch at
Wrightsville Ave.). The new site was sampled three times and the old sites six times in 2020.

There were a few incidents of high turbidity and suspended solids in 2020. Dissolved oxygen was
stressed (< 5.0 mg/L) on several occasions at the two upper sites BC-RD and BC-CA. Ammonium and
nitrate concentrations were low to moderate while nitrate and orthophosphate concentrations were low
on almost all sampling occasions. Our Bradley Creek stations did not host significant algal blooms
during the 2020 sampling trips. Fecal coliform bacteria counts were excessive at all four sites but
particularly so at BC-RD and BC-CA, which had geometric mean counts of 4,061 and 1,242 CFU/100
mL, compared with the NC standard for safe waters of 200 CFU/100 mL.

Burnt Mill Creek – Burnt Mill Creek drains a 4,207 acre watershed with a population of about 23,700.
Its watershed is extensively urbanized (39.8% impervious surface coverage) and drains into Smith
Creek. Three locations were sampled during 2020, on seven occasions. Dissolved oxygen
concentrations were Good in the two upper stations and Fair in the remaining lower creek site. High
fecal coliform counts occurred at two sites in 2020, especially at the uppermost site BMC-AP1 above
Anne McCrary Pond, the regional wet detention pond on Randall Parkway, and at the lowermost station
BMC-PP at Princess Place. We note that fecal coliform counts and nitrate-N concentrations significantly
declined during passage through the detention pond. Major algal blooms were not seen in 2020, though a
few minor ones occurred. Several water quality parameters showed an increase in pollutant levels along
the creek from the exit from the detention pond to the downstream Princess Place sampling station,
including fecal coliform bacteria, nitrogen and phosphorus, indicating non-point pollution sources
continue to pollute the lower creek.

Greenfield Lake – This lake drains a watershed of 2,465 acres, covered by about 37% impervious
surface area with a population of about 10,630. This urban lake has suffered from low dissolved
oxygen, algal blooms, periodic fish kills and high fecal bacteria counts over the years. The lake was
sampled at four tributary sites and three in-lake sites on 11 occasions. Of the tributaries of Greenfield
Lake, Squash Branch (near Lake Branch Drive), Jumping Run Branch at 17th Street, Jumping Run
Branch at Lakeshore Dr., and Clay Bottom Branch (near Lakeshore Commons Apartments), three
suffered from low dissolved oxygen problems, although main lake stations maintained good oxygen
concentrations.

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Algal blooms are chronically problematic in Greenfield Lake, and have occurred during all seasons, but
are primarily a problem in spring and summer. In 2020 a massive spring-summer blue-green algal bloom
of Anabaena occurred. Previously-published studies found a statistically significant relationship within
the lake between chlorophyll a and five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) meaning that the algal
blooms are an important cause of low dissolved oxygen, and high BOD occurred congruent with the
blooms in 2020. In 2020 all four tributary stations exceeded the fecal coliform State standard on >35% of
occasions sampled and rated Poor, but the in-lake stations were in Good to Fair condition for fecal
bacteria.

Greenfield Lake is currently on the NC 303(d) list for impaired waters due to excessive algal blooms.
The thesis work of UNCW graduate student Nick Iraola assessed the five main inflowing tributaries to
the lake to demonstrate that the largest inorganic nutrient loads came in from Jumping Run Branch and
Squash Branch. We are pleased to say that a coalition of stakeholders (the City, Cape Fear River Watch,
UNCW, NCSU and the engineering firm Moffat & Nichol) have been awarded funds for 2020-2022 and
UNCW has begun sampling in support of future nutrient reduction efforts on Jumping Run Branch.
Early data show the Willard Street Wetland, between Willard St., 15th St. and 16th St. receives high
nutrient and very high fecal coliform loads from inflowing drains, and elevated concentrations of those
pollutants make it out of the wetland into Jumping Run Branch. Thus, the engineering team is currently
devising strategies to restore the wetland to reduce the pollutant load. An analysis of sediment
phosphorus loads found elevated concentrations in Jumping Run Branch, suggesting upstream sources.

Hewletts Creek – Hewletts Creek drains a large (7,478 acre) watershed into the Atlantic Intracoastal
Waterway. This watershed has about 25.1% impervious surface coverage with a population of about
20,210. In 2020 the creek was sampled at four tidal sites on six occasions and one non-tidal freshwater
site (PV-GC-9) on three occasions.

Incidents of low dissolved oxygen did not occur at Hewletts Creek in 2020. Turbidity was low and did
not exceed the state standard, and no algal blooms occurred. Fecal coliform bacteria counts were elevated
sufficiently at all sites for a Poor rating, but only the geometric mean at NB-GLR exceeded 200 CFU/100
mL; and the geometric mean of fecal bacteria counts at HC-3 was over the state shellfishing standard.

Howe Creek – Howe Creek drains a 3,516 acre watershed into the ICW. This watershed hosts a
population of approximately 6,460 with about 21.4% impervious surface coverage. Due to Covid-
19 and resource re-allocation, sampling was suspended here in 2020.

Motts Creek – Motts Creek drains a watershed of 3,342 acres into the Cape Fear River Estuary with a
population of about 9,530; impervious surface coverage 23.4%. Due to Covid-19 and resource re-
allocation, sampling was suspended here in 2020.

Smith Creek – Smith Creek drains into the lower Northeast Cape Fear River just upstream of where it
merges with the Cape Fear River (Plate 1). It has a watershed of 16,650 acres that has about 21.3%
impervious surface coverage, with a population of about 31,780. One estuarine site on Smith Creek,
SC-CH, was sampled by UNCW under the auspices of the Lower Cape Fear River Program (LCFRP).

The dissolved oxygen standard for Smith Creek, which is rated as C Sw waters, is 4.0 mg/L, which was
violated on only one of 12 occasions in our 2020 samples for a Good rating. The North Carolina
turbidity standard for estuarine waters (25 NTU) was not exceeded. There were no major algal blooms
present in our 2020 sampling. Fecal coliform bacterial concentrations exceeded 200 CFU/100 mL on
only one of 12 sampling occasions in 2020 for a Good rating.

Whiskey Creek – Whiskey Creek is the southernmost large tidal creek in New Hanover County that
drains into the AICW (Plate 1). It has a watershed of 2,078 acres, a population of about 8,000, and is
covered by approximately 25.1% impervious surface area. Due to Covid-19 and resource re-allocation,

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sampling was suspended here in 2020.

Water Quality Station Ratings – The UNC Wilmington Aquatic Ecology Laboratory utilizes a
quantitative system with four parameters (dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll a, turbidity, and fecal coliform
bacteria) to rate water quality at our sampling sites. If a site exceeds the North Carolina water quality
standard (see Appendix A) for a parameter less than 10% of the time sampled, it is rated Good; if it
exceeds the standard 10-25% of the time it is rated Fair, and if it exceeds the standard > 25% of the time
it is rated Poor for that parameter. We applied these numerical standards to the water bodies
described in this report, based on 2020 data, and have designated each station as Good, Fair, and Poor
accordingly.

Fecal coliform bacterial conditions for the entire Wilmington City and New Hanover County
Watersheds system (20 sites sampled for fecal coliforms) showed 15% to be in Good condition, 10% in
Fair condition but 75% in Poor condition, a deterioration over the previous year. Dissolved oxygen
conditions (measured at the surface) system-wide (20 sites) showed 60% of the sites were in Good
condition, 15% were in Fair condition, and 25% were in Poor condition. For algal bloom presence,
measured as chlorophyll a, 80% of the 20 stations sampled were rated as Good, 10% as Fair and 10% as
Poor.For turbidity, 85% of sites were Good, 10% Fair, and only 5% Poor. It is important to note that the
water bodies with the worst water quality in the system also have the most developed watersheds with
the highest impervious surface coverage; Burnt Mill Creek – 39% impervious coverage; Greenfield Lake
– 37% impervious coverage; Bradley Creek– 28% impervious coverage.

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2020-2021 NPDES PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS & ANNUAL REPORTING

Public Education & Outreach
• 50 presentations delivered virtually to 8th grade science classes in New Hanover County serving
approximately 1650 students.
• Pet waste educational signs were posted in city parks with 400+ pet waste roll bags given away free to
park visitors.
• A coordinated litter prevention campaign ran across several mass media platforms in Spring 2021 on
Lamar Billboards, WECT digital/mobile/web, and Port City Daily digital newspaper.

Public Involvement & Participation
• A new stormwater webpage was developed and deployed for the public focused on stormwater capital
and in-house projects: www.wilmingtonncgov/stormwaterprojects
• 10 watershed cleanups involving 211 volunteers contributing 412 volunteer hours cleaned up 6.95 miles
of creeks/watersheds within the city limits.
• 26 storm drain markers were placed in neighborhoods off SeaSpray Drive, utilizing 17 volunteers
contributing 34 hours, and distributing 100 educational doorhangers.
• Public meetings, public notice and/or one-on-one property owner meetings were conducted for Clear Run
Branch, Wisteria/Clearbrook, Brookshire Beasley, Greenville/White Avenue, New Orleans Place,
Scotland Lane, and Red Cross Street. The Emergency Watershed Protection project for Hurricane
Florence recovery repairs was also completed this year.

Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE)
• Stormwater infrastructure mapping has continued with the goal of mapping the public drainage
system throughout the City. Re-mapping of previous annexation areas continues.
• The City conducted IDDE training for City Engineering and Code Enforcement Staff.
• Dry weather flow investigations increased this year.
• The City began its program review with Moffat & Nichol consultants of its NPDES Phase II
program in anticipation of our upcoming audit from the State in 2023.

Post-Construction Site Runoff Controls
• Revisions to the City’s Land Ordinance Code finalized and to be approved in August 2021.
• Continued site plan reviews of all new development and redeveloped sites.
• NC State’s SCM Inspection and Maintenance re-certification completed by 2 engineering staff.

Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations
• Database for all privately owned structural SCMs was updated this year.
• Implemented I&M contract for City owned facilities with oil/water separators.
• Conducted site visits of 18 City owned facilities with potential to pollute stormwater. Moffatt &
Nichol consultants to provide overview of compliance of City facilities for NPDES
requirements.
• Continued privately owned SCM inspections for compliance.

Voluntary Watershed Restoration Plan for Bradley & Hewletts Creeks
• Installed two 1000-gallon cisterns at 2 fire stations, one located in the Bradley Creek Watershed
and the other in the Hewletts Creek Watershed.
• The EPA 319 Grant “Reducing Stormwater Runoff Volume on the UNC-Wilmington Campus”
officially ended in December 2020. The combined projects installed through the grant will
reduce approximately 6,515,804 million gallons of stormwater runoff annually.

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• In partnership with NC State University, an EPA 319 Grant, “Implementing Private & Public
Retrofits to Reduce Stormwater Runoff Volume & Pollutants in the Bradley Creek Watershed”
was awarded with full funding. Meetings with private property owners to discuss preliminary
construction plans were conducted in late FY21.
• The final FY21 volume reduction totals for Bradley Creek and Hewletts Creek were 78,361.05
gallons and 6,616.43 gallons, respectively. These totals include grant projects, rain barrel sales,
the HOWBMP contract, and HOW-funded SCMs.

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SECTION B: PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OUTREACH

1. Objectives for Public Education and Outreach

Distribute educational materials to the community or conduct equivalent outreach
activities addressing impacts of storm water discharges on water bodies and the steps the
public can take to reduce pollutants in storm water runoff.

2. BMPs for Public Education and Outreach

The permittee shall implement the following BMPs to meet the objectives of the Public Education
and Outreach Program and shall notify the Division prior to modification of any goals.

BMP Measurable Goals
a. Goals and Objectives Defined goals and objectives of the Local Public Education and
Outreach Program based on community wide issues.

b. Describe target pollutants
and/or stressors
The permittee shall maintain a description of the target
pollutants and/or stressors and likely sources.

c. Describe target audiences The permittee shall maintain a description of the target
audiences likely to have significant storm water impacts and
why they were selected.

d. Describe residential and
industrial/commercial issues
The permittee shall describe issues, such as pollutants, likely
sources of those pollutants, impacts, and the physical attributes
of stormwater runoff, in their education/outreach program.

Accomplishments:
A comprehensive public outreach/education and participation/involvement plan including goals, objectives,
target pollutants, sources, and target audiences is included in the Public Education & Outreach Appendix of
this report.

This plan defines the likely sources for each stormwater pollutant and includes suggested outreach messages,
formats, and strategies for reaching target audiences and for getting the public involved. Staff regularly
utilizes this information as a guide for planning, implementing, and evaluating outreach and participation
efforts throughout the city. The plan is updated and modified as pollutant sources, target audience
demographics, public awareness, behavior, water quality, funding, and other program variables change over
time. The plan received a major update in Spring 2021.

e. Informational Web Site The permittee shall promote and maintain, an internet web site
designed to convey the program’s message.

Accomplishments:
Stormwater Services hosts a comprehensive website at www.wilmingtonnc.gov/stormwater.
Staff regularly updates the website with pertinent program content including stormwater news, monthly rain
barrel sale info, grant projects, Canines for Clean Water, Enviroscape, Annual UNCW Water Quality Report,

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and a new webpage focused solely on stormwater capital and in-house drainage improvement projects
(www.wilmingtonnc.gov/stormwaterprojects). This new webpage includes a snapshot of each current
project, as well as a map and summary of completed projects.

In the near future, the City Communications Team will begin the lengthy process to update the city’s web
presence to a new platform. Stormwater Services will be involved in this transition and upgrade, which will
require stormwater staff to re-create the stormwater webpages from scratch.

f. Distribute public education
materials to identified target
audiences and user groups.
The permittee shall distribute stormwater educational material to
appropriate target groups (ex.: schools, homeowners, and/or
businesses). Instead of developing its own materials, the
permittee may rely on Public Education and Outreach materials
supplied by the state, and/or other entities through a cooperative
agreement, as available, when implementing its own program.

Accomplishments:
This year, the Stormwater Watch newsletter was incorporated into the city’s brand new newsletter format –
a multipage booklet. Stormwater content was included throughout this new format with articles about the
stormwater compliance officers, large cisterns installed at city fire stations, the Bradley Creek Capital
Improvement Project, and the UNCW water quality monitoring report of creeks and lakes that fall within the
city limits. State classification and rating data are also included in the water quality report about each creek.
The citywide newsletter was mailed to 44,000+ city residents and businesses.

The Enviroscape Watershed Education Program has been integrated into the 8th grade curriculum since 2005.
The program reaches all 8th grade science classes in New Hanover County Schools each year. In FY20/21 the
entire program was completed by conducting live, virtual presentations for all classes. This is because New
Hanover County Schools did not allow students back until later in the school year and because the schools are
still not allowing guest speakers due to Covid19.

These virtual presentations actually required double the effort and staff to make them happen. It took 2
people to conduct each presentation – the Instructor to give the actual presentation and a Host to run the
presentation behind the scenes and virtually interact with the students/teachers (run the chat, deploy quiz
questions, admit students into presentations, etc). A comprehensive 20-page “Zoom Enviroscape Training
Guide” was developed for the Enviroscape instructors and hosts, and multiple instructor/host trainings were
held prior to delivering presentations. In all, we completed 50 live, virtual Enviroscape presentations!
www.wilmingtonnc.gov/enviroscape

Education staff worked with Stormwater Code Compliance Officers to conduct pet waste education in the
community including hosting outreach booths, distributing additional pet waste signage to multi-family
apartment complexes, and posting the signs with free pet waste roll bags in city parks. This has proven to be
extremely successful pilot project and we observe many pet owners with the roll bags attached to their dog’s
leash on a regular basis. Compliance Officers conducted pop-up outreach events in city parks to educate pet
owners one-on-one.

Another initiative was compiling a comprehensive local Landscaper database and conducting an educational
and compliance mailing. The mailing included proper yard waste disposal methods in both English and
Spanish, a compliance letter with the city yard waste ordinance and fines, and posters to hang in the
workplace. At least 100 packets were mailed to area landscaping companies.

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Outreach staff presented to the Cape Fear Rotary Club at a virtual member meeting in Fall 2020. Topics
covered included stormwater pollution, solutions, the impacts of polluted runoff on area waterways, and
opportunities to get involved at the local level.

Wilmington continues to struggle with a litter problem. This fall and spring, coordinated mass media
campaigns were funded to run on Lamar Billboards, Port City Daily online, and WECT digital, mobile and
social media platforms. Content was also added to the city’s dedicated social media and web platforms. Ads
are ran across these different platforms and focused on the prevention of litter and pandemic waste (ie masks,
gloves, etc), which has become a growing litter issue. Data for media campaign effectiveness is included in
the appendix.

g. Maintain Hotline/Help line The permittee shall promote and maintain a stormwater
hotline/helpline for the purpose of public education and outreach.

Accomplishments:
The Stormwater Pollution Prevention hotline and web reporting tool were established in January 2010 to field
calls from citizens, businesses, and employees to report illicit discharges and instances of potential or actual
stormwater pollution. The hotline phone # is 910-341-1020 and the web address is
www.wilmingtonnc.gov/reportstormwaterpollution.

Hotline/web reports are routed to the Stormwater Code Compliance Officers (2) who track, investigate, and
respond to each hotline report. Compliance officers routinely educate each offender, in addition to issuing
necessary fines and/or notices of violation. The hotline and online reporting webform are advertised in a
variety of ways including the website, City’s cable TV channel, citywide newsletter, community events,
outreach promotional giveaways, and large educational magnets on stormwater maintenance and compliance
officer vehicles.

To summarize hotline/web reporting activity this past fiscal year:
28 calls were placed to the City’s Stormwater hotline, 11 online webform reports were submitted, and 641
direct emails and 54 direct calls were received by the Compliance Officers related to stormwater violations.
The nature of the hotline reports are found in the Enforcement section of the Appendix.

h. Implement a Public Education
and Outreach Program.
The permittee’s outreach program, including those elements
implemented locally or through a cooperative agreement, shall
include a combination of approaches designed to reach the target
audiences. For each media, event or activity, including those
elements implemented locally or through a cooperative
agreement the permittee shall estimate and record the extent of
exposure.

Accomplishments:
The extent of exposure requirement is documented in tables in the Public Outreach/Education Appendix, as
well as the Public Involvement Appendix. Documentation includes the date of event or activity, the type of
event/activity, audience reached, who delivered the content, the method of delivery and/or message, and the
resulting attendance or participation. In addition, agencies under contract with the city to help meet NPDES
deliverables are included in the Appendix.

Plans for Future Program Implementation
The city’s stormwater outreach and education program continues to implement a variety of outreach and

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educational events and programming. These activities educate and involve the community in stormwater
runoff pollution and solutions and inspire action and behavior change.

Covid-19 impacted direct education events and presentations again this year but alternative measures were
taken to provide community education, such as virtual presentations and outdoor tours.

Plans for the next fiscal year include:
• Fecal coliform bacteria education - expand the pilot program to install educational pet waste signage
and free roll bags in more city parks.
• Conduct Enviroscape watershed education presentations for 8th grade science classes in New Hanover
County Schools – either in-person, virtual, or pre-recorded, based on school requirements this coming
year.
• Create stormwater content for citywide newsletter mailing reaching 44,000 recipients.
• Create new Stormwater Services website (entirely dependent on city Communications Office
timeline).
• Perform self-assessment of public outreach/education and involvement/participation BMPs and revise
PE/PI Plan as necessary

.

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SECTION C: PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT AND PARTICIPATION

1. Objectives for Public Involvement and Participation

Comply with State and local public notice requirements when implementing a public involvement
and participation program.

2. BMPs for Public Involvement and Participation

The permittee shall implement the following BMPs to meet the objectives of the Public
Involvement and Participation Program and shall notify the Division prior to modification of any
goals.

BMP Measurable Goals
a. Volunteer community
involvement program
The permittee shall include and promote volunteer opportunities
designed to promote ongoing citizen participation.

Accomplishments:
The City of Wilmington Stormwater Services contracts annually with Cape Fear River Watch (CFRW) and
New Hanover Soil & Water Conservation District (NHSWCD) to implement NPDES public involvement and
participation activities, as well as public education and outreach services.

Both agencies sign a multi-year contract with the City which specifies deliverables that help Stormwater
Services fulfill and/or enhance many of the requirements for NPDES public education and public participation.
In addition to full time staff, each agency taps into a volunteer base and engages citizens to participate in
stormwater outreach/education and involvement/participation efforts.

Services performed by CFRW & NHSWCD include volunteer watershed clean-ups, volunteer creek
monitoring, volunteer storm drain marking, educational presentations for schools and the community, a
monthly rain barrel sale, creek eco-tours, school field days, website content, community stormwater best
management practice (BMP) installations, and more.

Each agency provides the City with four quarterly progress reports and invoices during the annual contract
period for services performed. The cumulative year-end progress 4th quarter progress report for each agency is
included in the Public Involvement and Participation Appendix of this annual report. In addition, the city
regularly monitors agency/contract performance throughout the fiscal year.

b. Mechanism for Public
involvement
The permittee shall provide and promote a mechanism for public
involvement that provides for input on stormwater issues and the
stormwater program.

Accomplishments:
Additional stormwater capital projects and in-house projects were begun or continued this year and provided a
means for public input with stormwater staff.

Public meetings, public notice and/or one-on-one property owners meetings were conducted for Clear Run
Branch, Wisteria/Clearbrook, Brookshire Beasley, Greenville/White Avenue, New Orleans Place, Scotland
Lane, and Red Cross Street. These activities are detailed in the Public Involvement appendix section.
The Emergency Watershed Protection project for Hurricane Florence recovery repairs, were also completed this

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year. All current and completed projects can be viewed on our website at
www.wilmingtonnc.gov/stormwaterprojects This webpage was developed to educate and provide a means for
review and input by the public regarding stormwater projects.

c. Hotline/Help line The permittee shall promote and maintain a hotline/helpline for
the purpose of public involvement and participation.

Accomplishments:
The Stormwater Pollution Prevention hotline and web reporting tool were established in January 2010 to field
calls from citizens, businesses, and employees to report illicit discharges and instances of potential or actual
stormwater pollution. The hotline phone # is 910-341-1020 and the web address is
www.wilmingtonnc.gov/reportstormwaterpollution.

Hotline/web reports are routed to the Stormwater Code Compliance Officers (2) who track, investigate, and
respond to each hotline report. Compliance officers routinely educate each offender, in addition to issuing
necessary fines and/or notices of violation. The hotline and online reporting webform are advertised in a variety
of ways including the website, City’s cable TV channel, citywide newsletter, community events, outreach
promotional giveaways, and large educational magnets on stormwater maintenance and compliance officer
vehicles.

To summarize hotline/web reporting activity this past fiscal year:
28 calls were placed to the City’s Stormwater hotline, 11 online webform reports were submitted, and 641
direct emails and 54 direct calls were received by the Compliance Officers related to stormwater violations.
The nature of the hotline reports are found in the Enforcement section of the Appendix.

Plans for Future Program Implementation
The city’s stormwater involvement and participation program engages community volunteers primarily through
contract agency activities. This year we have seen volunteer numbers increase with activities such as
watershed cleanups and creek monitoring. These activities involve the community in hands-on solutions and
inspire action and behavior change to improve area creeks and waterways. These activities can be viewed in the
Appendix in more detail.

Plans for the next fiscal year include:
• Continue contracts with outside agencies to implement PI/PP activities
• Revamp volunteer storm drain marking program materials
• Potentially develop online public input form as a mechanism for public involvement
• Perform self-assessment of public outreach/education and involvement/participation BMPs and revise
PE/PI plan as necessary

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SECTION D: ILLICIT DISCHARGE DETECTION AND ELIMINATION (IDDE)

1. Objectives for Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

a. Implement and enforce a program to detect and eliminate illicit discharges into the MS4. b.
Maintain a storm sewer system map, showing the location of all major outfalls and the
names and location of all waters of the United States that receive discharges from those
outfalls;
c. Prohibit, through ordinance, or other regulatory mechanism, non-storm water discharges
except as allowed in this permit and implement appropriate enforcement procedures and
actions;
d. Implement a plan to detect and address non-storm water discharges, including illegal
dumping, to the MS4;
e. Inform public employees, businesses, and the general public of hazards associated with
illegal discharges and improper disposal of waste; and
f. Address the categories of non-storm water discharges or flows (i.e., illicit discharges) in
Part I.H of this permit only if you identify them as significant contributors of pollutants to
the MS4.

2. BMPs for Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

The permittee shall implement the following BMPs to meet the objectives of the Illicit Discharge
Detection and Elimination Program and shall notify the Division prior to modification of any goals.

BMP Measurable Goals
a. Maintain adequate legal authorities The permittee shall annually review the permittee’s IDDE
ordinances or other regulatory mechanisms, or adopt any new
ordinances or other regulatory mechanisms that provide the
permittee with adequate legal authority to prohibit illicit
connections and discharges and enforce the approved IDDE
Program.

Accomplishments:
The City continues to utilize the existing ordinances in place to address illicit discharges to its system. The
City passed the Ordinance to amend Chapter 12 of the City Code on 9/15/2009 to address illicit discharges to
the stormwater system and to protect public water and sewer systems. This Ordinance change went into effect
on November 1, 2009.
The current Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) ordinance defines wastewaters that are required to be
discharged into the sanitary sewer system. The City utilizes CFPUA’s ordinance to address discharges of
regulated wastewaters to the City’s MS4 and other natural outlets.
The City also utilizes a policy for reporting SSOs from the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority to the City (see
Appendix D). Citizens can also call CFPUA hotline for SSOs – https://www.cfpua.org/703/Water-Sewer-
Emergencies
The City will continue to review its ordinance annually to ensure we are providing adequate legal authority.
b. Maintain a Storm Sewer System
Base Map of Major Outfalls.
The permittee shall maintain a current map showing major
outfalls and receiving streams

The City continues to maintain and update a base map of major outfalls and receiving water bodies.

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During this past reporting year, our City GIS Intern re-evaluated all NPDES designated outfalls through
GIS and data spreadsheet to determine accuracy and updated any new locations. Outfalls were then
classified and added to the GIS dataset as mapping of the City MS4 inventory.

Additionally, the City has made significant improvements and updates to the GIS inventory mapping of
stormwater systems using the best available data. At this time, percentages mapped are shown in below
figure of mapped areas. This year, the City began re-mapping “Annex 95-98” areas to bring the data into
our current mapping standards as these areas were originally mapped in the early 2000s. Also, the
“Future” mapped area (River Lights) will be fully mapped when the development has been completed,
which may take several more years as streets are slowly turned over to the City. Thus, a 100% mapping
completion may not take place for several more years.

For the next reporting year, the City is scheduled to begin mapping portions of the River Lights
community. This area is shown on the map below as future mapping.

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c. Detect dry weather flows The permittee shall maintain a program for conducting dry
weather flow field observations in accordance with a written
procedure for detecting and removing the sources of illicit
discharges.

Accomplishments:
The City continues to use its data collection procedures established during the previous reporting years. The
process has streamlined time spent at each structure while providing copious information that can be exported
into a spreadsheet for reviews. Several Stormwater Services staff utilize the field procedures to provide
additional assistance and scheduling flexibility throughout the next year. Dry weather flow procedures are
included in Appendix D.
City Staff has a goal to conduct 25% of total identified outfall investigations in the City per year for dry
weather flow investigations. For this reporting year, staff conducted 15%. of total NPDES outfalls (Appendix
D). This was an increase from the previous reporting year but investigations were still hampered by Covid 19
protocols which limited staff interactions due to work from home requirements thus preventing more field
visits.

d. Investigate sources of identified
illicit discharges.
The permittee shall maintain and evaluate annually written
procedures for conducting investigations of identified illicit
discharges.

Accomplishments:
The City has continued to utilize its existing ordinances and our Illicit Discharge Detection Elimination
(IDDE) Policy and Procedures Manual. The purpose of this document is to provide a standard for guidance
and information for the effective and efficient implementation of the Illicit Discharge Detection and
Elimination Program within the City of Wilmington. The document outlines the investigation, testing,
coordination with other authorities, GIS inventory, follow up, and documentation procedures to be taken to
resolve a questionable dry weather flow.

The City continues data input and documentation through the outgoing Intelligov and the newly implemented
Munis, our data management systems. All details of incidences reported are entered from the start of an
incidence until the investigation is closed. This documentation into Intelligov/Munis has allowed for the
extraction of data for evaluation of our program, and assessment to identify repeat offenders and chronic
violators as well as serve as help us identify areas of the City with higher violation reports. See Appendix I.

The City rolled out the new Munis work system in February 2021 and illicit discharge data is now captured in
this system. Not all Department Sections have implemented the new system, but the City has future schedules
for rollouts.

e. Track and document investigations
illicit discharges
The permittee shall track all investigations and document the
date(s) the illicit discharge was observed; the results of the
investigation; any follow-up of the investigation; and the date
the investigation was closed.

Accomplishments:
The City continues to track illicit discharges in the stormwater system with through our data management
systems. All details of incidences reported are entered from the start of an incidence until the investigation is
closed. We continue reporting into the City’s tracking database Intelligov. (former) and Munis (current)

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(Appendix I).

f. Employee Training The permittee shall implement and document a training
program for appropriate municipal staff who as part of their
normal job responsibilities, may come into contact with or
otherwise observe an illicit discharge or illicit connection to
the storm sewer system.

Accomplishments:
The City conducted 3 virtual IDDE trainings this year in Spring 2021 for Engineering (Plan Review),
Engineering (Construction Inspectors) and Code Compliance staff. A total of 19 employees attended the
presentations.

g. Provide Public Education The permittee shall inform public employees, businesses, and
the general public of hazards associated with illegal discharges
and improper disposal of waste.

Accomplishments:
The Stormwater Watch newsletter, the Enviroscape Watershed Education Program
www.wilmingtonnc.gov/enviroscape remain big components of the City’s efforts to educate the public on
illegal discharges and improper disposal of waste.

Education staff worked with Stormwater Code Compliance Officers to conduct pet waste education in the
community including hosting outreach booths, distributing additional pet waste signage to multi-family
apartment complexes, and posting the signs with free pet waste roll bags in city parks.

For more outreach efforts conducted this year, see Section B. (f).

h. Public reporting mechanism The permittee shall promote, publicize, and facilitate a
reporting mechanism for the public and staff to report illicit
discharges and establish and implement citizen request
response procedures.

Accomplishments:
The Stormwater Pollution Prevention hotline and web reporting tool were established in January 2010 to field
calls from citizens, businesses, and employees to report illicit discharges and instances of potential or actual
stormwater pollution. The hotline phone # is 910-341-1020 and the web address is
www.wilmingtonnc.gov/reportstormwaterpollution.

See Section B.(g)

i. Enforcement The permittee shall implement a mechanism to track the
issuance of notices of violation and enforcement actions as
administered by the permittee. This mechanism shall include
the ability to identify chronic violators for initiation of actions
to reduce noncompliance.

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Accomplishments:
The City of Wilmington uses Intelligov/Munis data management system to track all requests for service. This
includes illicit discharge reports from the public and from City staff. This system allows us to enter all relevant
data from an investigation and then analyze, map, and track various aspects of the incident including
enforcement actions and repeat offenders in order to identify chronic violators. For year 2020-2021 there were
2 civil penalties were issued for illicit discharges. See Appendix I for enforcement actions summary for this
reporting year.

Assessment of Program Implementation
The City continues to maintain and update a base map of major outfalls and receiving water bodies as well as
the stormwater inventory. Unmapped areas will be surveyed and added to our database. In addition, the City
will be continuously updating previous mapped areas that may have changed due to recent drainage
improvement projects The City will continue with updating any stormwater mapping as necessary and report
annually on the percent of changes.

Dry weather flow investigation’s goal was not fully met this past year due to Covid 19. The City is on track to
meet its goal for the next reporting year.

The City continues to utilize the Illicit Discharge Detection Elimination (IDDE) Policy and Procedures manual
as the program evolves and will evaluate repeat offenders as needed.

Employee training will be tentatively scheduled on a 2 year rotation between Stormwater field crews, Parks and
Rec. field crews, Solid Waste field crews, Streets field crews and Engineering Inspectors. Despite Covid-19, 3
virtual trainings where conducted this reporting year. Monthly reports from the City’s Compliance Officer
regarding IDDE reports continue to indicate education efforts are effective. The majority of reports are from
City staff, citizens and Inter-agency staff.

Enforcement of IDDE violations will continued to be tracked through the City’s management system.

The City is currently contracted with Moffat and Nichol to perform a program review of its NPDES Phase II
program in anticipation of our upcoming audit from the State in 2023. Moffatt & Nichol, as part of their scope
of work, is currently reviewing the IDDE program. A review of the City’s ordinances, mapping, staff training,
reporting, procedures, and documentation occurred over the 2020-2021 reporting period. The City hopes to
identify potential gaps as well as to determine needs for improvement or enhancement.

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SECTION E: CONSTRUCTION SITE RUNOFF CONTROLS

The permittee relies on New Hanover County to comply with this minimum measure. The New Hanover
County Sediment and Erosion Control Program effectively meets the requirements of the Construction Site
Runoff Controls by permitting and controlling development activities disturbing one or more acres of land
surface and those activities less than one acre that are part of a larger common plan of development. This
program includes procedures for public input, sanctions to ensure compliance, requirements for construction
site operators to implement appropriate erosion and sediment control practices, review of site plans which
incorporates consideration of potential water quality impacts, and procedures for site inspection and
enforcement of control measures.
New Hanover County Erosion Control Program information supplied in Appendix E.

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SECTION F: POST-CONSTRUCTION SITE RUNOFF CONTROLS

1. Objectives for Post-Construction Site Runoff Controls

a. Implement and enforce a program to address storm water runoff from new
development and redevelopment projects that disturb greater than or equal to one
acre, including projects less than one acre that are part of a larger common plan of
development or sale, that discharge into the small MS4. The program shall ensure
that controls are in place that would prevent or minimize water quality impacts.
b. Implement strategies which include a combination of structural Stormwater Control
Measures (SCM) and/or non-structural SCMs appropriate for the
community;
c. Use an ordinance or other regulatory mechanism to address post-construction runoff
from new development and redevelopment projects; and
d. Ensure adequate long-term inspection and maintenance of SCMs.

2. BMPs for Post-Construction Site Runoff Controls

The permittee shall implement the following BMPs to meet the objectives of the Post -
Construction Stormwater Management Program. To the extent there is any conflict
between this permit and the post-construction ordinances adopted by the permittee as
approved by the Division, the post-construction ordinances shall apply to permit
compliance.
BMP Measurable Goals
a. Adequate legal authorities Maintain through ordinance, or other regulatory mechanism,
adequate legal authorities designed to meet the objectives of
the Post-Construction Site Runoff Controls Stormwater
Management program.

The permittee shall have the authority to review designs and
proposals for new development and redevelopment to
determine whether adequate stormwater control measures
will be installed, implemented, and maintained

The permittee shall have the authority to request information
such as stormwater plans, inspection reports, monitoring
results, and other information deemed necessary to evaluate
compliance with the Post-Construction Stormwater
Management Program.

The permittee shall have the authority to enter private
property for inspections at reasonable times any facilities,
equipment, practices, or operations related to stormwater
discharges to determine whether there is compliance the Post-
Construction Stormwater Management Program.

Accomplishments:
The City continues to utilize the Land Development Code that was amended and adopted on
September 15, 2009 to provide post construction controls in order to meet the requirements of

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the City’s NPDES Phase II permit and to bring the ordinance into compliance with the Coastal
Stormwater Legislation.
The City has finalized draft updates to its Land Development Code. Revisions for the updated
Code has been occurring during the last year with City staff meeting weekly to review sections
within the Code. One major change in the Code is applying higher SA water quality standards
to new development in the impaired Bradley Creek watershed. Another proposed change is
process guidance om stormwater permit renewals and expirations. The finalized draft of the
revised Code is expected to be adopted by City Council in August 2021.
b. Strategies which include
Stormwater Control Measures
(SCMs) appropriate for the MS4
Maintain strategies that include a combination of structural
and/or non-structural SCMs implemented in concurrence
with (a) above. Provide a mechanism to require long-term
operation and maintenance of structural SCMs. Require
annual inspection reports of permitted structural SCMs
performed by a qualified professional.

A qualified professional means an individual trained and/or
certified in the design, operation, inspection and maintenance
aspects of the SCM’s being inspected, for example, someone
trained and certified by NC State University for SCM
Inspection & Maintenance.

Within 12 months of the effective date of this permit, the
permittee shall evaluate, and revise as needed, SCM
requirements, to be at least as stringent as the minimum
requirements in 15A NCAC 02H .1000.

Accomplishments:
The DWQ SCM manual was adopted when the stormwater ordinance was amended in 2009.
This ordinance contains provisions addressing the use of combinations of structural and non-
structural SCM’s to manage stormwater runoff. Some examples of these include providing
peak attenuation flow for the 2, 10 and 25 year storm event, requiring (new development) a 50
foot set back from surface waters, and stricter built-upon requirements for projects near SA
waters.
The City Engineering Dept. reviews new development plans for structural and non-structural
SCMs.
The Engineering Dept. employs four P.E.s for reviewing plans for new development and
conducting site inspections for compliance with the City’s Stormwater Ordinance. Engineering
staff all are certified through the SCM Inspection and Maintenance Certificate offered through
NC State’s Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department. Two engineers were re-
certified this past year.

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c. Plan reviews The permittee shall conduct site plan reviews of all new
development and redeveloped sites that disturb greater than
or equal to one acre (including sites that disturb less than one
acre that are part of a larger common plan of development or
sale). The site plan review shall address how the project
applicant meets the performance standards and how the
project will ensure long-term maintenance

Accomplishments:
The City continues to conduct site plan reviews utilizing the City’s Land Development Code to
provide post construction controls to meet the requirements of the City’s Phase II permit. A
summary of the plan review activities for this reporting year is available in Appendix F.

d. Inventory of projects with post-
construction structural stormwater
control measures
The permittee shall maintain an inventory of projects with
post-construction structural stormwater control measures
installed and implemented at new development and
redeveloped sites, including both public and private sector
sites located within the permittee’s corporate limits that are
covered by its post-construction ordinance requirements.

Accomplishments:
The City’s Plan Review Engineers continue to update a spreadsheet of projects with
stormwater control measures installed during the reporting year. This spreadsheet includes the
dates permits were issued, review times for projects, types of projects (new development,
redevelopment), and the types and numbers of SCMs per project location. This spreadsheet will
continue to be used for future permits issued and evaluated or modified if data extraction is
warranted. See Appendix F.

Engineering and Stormwater Staff are still currently 50% complete incorporating spreadsheet
data into a GIS application to improve the database of permits and help with future permit
renewals. The goal was to incorporate a new software, EnerGov, to help with this process in
order to merge County and City systems so developers only have to access one system. Our
consultants and IT Department have been having compatibility issues merging the systems,
thus stymieing the implementation. With the uncertainty of the software application, a “go
live” date has been pushed back to December of 2021. If the application is not resolved at this
date, Review Engineer’s will provide another alternative to update the inventory.

e. Deed Restrictions and Protective
Covenants
The permittee shall provide mechanisms such as recorded
deed restrictions and protective covenants that ensure
development activities will maintain the project consistent
with approved plans.

Accomplishments:
Current City of Wilmington stormwater management ordinance stipulates among other
requirements for stormwater management after construction that:
Record (as-built) drawings for all stormwater management facilities certified by an authorized

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registered professional must be provided to the City for permanent record.
When deemed necessary by the City, access is granted through permit conditions allowing the
City and its agents and representatives adequate and perpetual access to the facility and
sufficient area for inspection.
The following excerpt from the new stormwater ordinance became operational upon adoption
City Council:
The approval of the stormwater permit shall require an enforceable restriction on property
usage that runs with the land, such as recorded deed restrictions or protective covenants, to
ensure that future development and redevelopment maintains the site consistent with the
approved project plans.
Additionally, the existing ordinance has provisions to ensure that conveyance of the property
does not terminate the original developer’s obligations until a replacement permit has been
issued. The original developer will be required to record in the deed conveying the property a
notice of the existence of any stormwater devices and the purchaser’s obligations to maintain
and inspect them and to obtain a permit. There are also specific and detailed special
requirements for property owner associations regarding operation and maintenance of
stormwater devices, escrowing funds to ensure maintenance and remedies for the City in the
event of failed compliance.

f. Provide a mechanism to require
long-term inspection and
maintenance of Stormwater Control
Measures (SCMs).
The permittee shall implement or require an inspection and
maintenance plan for the long-term operation of the SCMs
required by the program. The inspection and maintenance
plan shall require the owner of each SCM to perform and
maintain a record of annual inspections of each SCM.
Annual inspection of permitted structural SCMs shall be
performed by a qualified professional.

Accomplishments:
The DWQ SCM manual was adopted when the stormwater ordinance was amended in 2009.
This ordinance contains provisions addressing the use of combinations of structural and non-
structural SCMs to manage stormwater runoff. With this adoption, the City also reviews and
approves the I&M requirements and plans of the State through the review process. Inspection
and Maintenance plan schedules may vary with SCM type.

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g. Inspections To ensure that all stormwater control measures are being
maintained pursuant to its maintenance agreement, the
permittee shall conduct and document inspections of each
project site covered under performance standards, at least one
time during the permit term.

Before issuing a certificate of occupancy or temporary
certificate of occupancy, the permittee shall conduct a post -
construction inspection to verify that the permittee’s
performance standards have been met.

The permittee shall document and maintain records of
inspection findings and enforcement actions and make
them available for review by the permitting authority.

Accomplishments:
Under the current stormwater management ordinance of the City, permitees of structural SCMs
are required to properly maintain their stormwater management systems to ensure long term
operation. The City conducts annual compliance inspections for privately owned stormwater
SCM’s in order to ensure maintenance responsibilities are being undertaken by property
owners. Inspections were conducted by a City staff member who has completed the Stormwater
SCM Inspection and Maintenance Certificate offered through NC State’s Biological and
Agricultural Engineering Department (certification #182). Recertification occurred in March
2021.
For this reporting year, a total of 209 private sites were inspected for their respective SCMs
with 91 sites out of compliance (see Appendix F). The inspections reported in the appendix
overlapped reporting years, however, the 2020 inspection totals were not reported in the
previous 2019-2020 report, so they have been included in the table. The City’s GIS Intern
updated the SCM database this past reporting year for owner information and any new
additions that may have been left out of the database. This took several months but the
information is now current.
The City also conducts inspections of facilities during the development and construction
process. Before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued, compliance of permit conditions must be
present.
City Stormwater field staff, who work on the maintenance of City owned SCMs, received their
SCM Inspection and Maintenance certifications through NC State’s program in November
2019. Approximately 5 staff members went through the certification class, with 2 getting re-
certified this past reporting year.
Stormwater Staff are scheduled to be trained on SCM Inspection and Maintenance in July
2021.

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h. Educational materials and training
for developers
The permittee shall make available through paper or
electronic means, ordinances, post-construction
requirements, design standards checklist, and other materials
appropriate for developers. New materials may be
developed by the permittee, or the permittee may use
materials adopted from other programs and adapted to the
permittee’s new development and redevelopment program.

Accomplishments:
Currently all ordinances, design standards, application forms, SCM Manual and Technical
Standards for developers are found online at the City’s website. The city provides instruction
online for the forms so that developers can provide the necessary documentation for the process
review.

A virtual ASCE Coastal Branch training was conducted in December 2020 for local engineers
and developers on the City’s Development Review process. A copy of the memo for the
training can be found Appendix F.

i. Enforcement The permittee shall track the issuance of notices of violation
and enforcement actions. This mechanism shall include the
ability to identify chronic violators for initiation of actions to
reduce noncompliance.

Accomplishments:
The City has tracked the issuance of violations through its current inspection process since the
implementation of the stormwater ordinance. The City will continue to make improvements in
the inspection process (as necessary) and its associated database for private SCMs. The City
looks to identify repeat violators and work with owners of SCMs trough education for meeting
their permit requirements.

Assessment of Program Implementation
The City will continue to utilize the Land Development Code to provide post construction
controls to meet the requirements of the City’s MS4 Phase II permit. Ordinances will be
evaluated annually to determine if modifications are needed.

The City has finalized updates to its Land Development Code to apply higher water quality
requirements for the Bradley Creek Watershed.

Engineering Project Review Staff remain at 50% complete updating the stormwater permit
renewal process.

Engineering Staff conducted developer training on the proposed updated Land Development
Code in December 2020.

SCM I&M recertification through NC State’s program occurred in March 2021 for City Staff.

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The City will be re-evaluating its private SCM inspection process with Moffatt & Nichol
consultants to possibly update goals.

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3. Post-construction Stormwater Runoff Controls for New
Development

a. To fulfill the post-construction minimum measure program requirement the
permittee may use the Department's model ordinance, design its own post-
construction practices that meet or exceed the rules found in 15A NCAC 02H
.1000, or develop its own comprehensive watershed plan that is determined by
the Department to meet the
post-construction stormwater management measure required by 40 Code of Federal
Regulations § 122.34(b)(5) (1 July 2003 Edition).

b. The permittee shall meet the requirements of the post-construction program for
construction projects that are performed by, or under contract for, the permittee. To
meet this requirement, the permittee may either develop the necessary requirements
for post - construction controls that will pertain to their own projects, or develop
procedures to ensure that the permittee meets these requirements by complying with
another entity’s Phase II Stormwater Management Programs for post-construction.
If the permittee decides to rely on another program for compliance with these
program areas for their own projects, they shall indicate in their Stormwater
Management Plan that the permittee will fully comply with the requirements of the
second party’s post-construction programs.

c. Pursuant to 15A NCAC 02H .1017(9), to the extent allowable under State law,
additional requirements shall apply to projects draining to sensitive receiving
waters . For areas draining to Nutrient Sensitive Waters (NSW), where the
Department has approved a locally implemented NSW Stormwater Management
Program that addresses post-construction runoff, the provisions of that program
fulfills the MS4 post -construction requirement.

d. The design volume of SCMs shall account for the runoff at build out from all
surfaces draining to the system. Drainage from off-site areas may be bypassed.

e. Pursuant to 15A NCAC 02H .1001(1)(c), to fulfill the post-construction minimum
measure requirement for linear transportation projects, including undertaken by an
entity other than North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), and are
projects constructed to NCDOT standards that will be conveyed to the State upon
completion, the permittee or regulated entity may use the Stormwater Best
Management Practices Toolbox (Version 2, April 2014), including any subsequent
amendments and editions, developed by the NCDOT. This NCDOT Stormwater
BMP Toolbox is available
at:https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/hydro/Pages/Highway-Stormwater-
Program.aspx

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SECTION G: POLLUTION PREVENTION AND GOOD HOUSEKEEPING FOR MUNICIPAL
OPERATIONS

1. Objective for Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations

a. Implement an operation and maintenance program that includes a training component and
has the goal of preventing or reducing pollutant runoff from municipal operations.

b. Provide employee training to prevent and reduce storm water pollution from activities
such as park and open space maintenance, fleet and building maintenance, new
construction and land disturbances, and storm water system maintenance.

2. BMPs for the Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping for Municipal
Operations

The permittee shall implement the following BMPs to meet the objectives of the Pollution
Prevention and Good Housekeeping Program and shall notify the Division prior to modification
of any goals.

BMP Measurable Goals
a. Inventory of municipally
owned or operated facilities
The permittee shall maintain, a current inventory of facilities and
operations owned and operated by the permittee with the potential
for generating polluted stormwater runoff. Also maintain a current
inventory of the MS4 system and municipally-owned structural
SCMs.

Accomplishments:
The City updated its inventory of known facilities with the potential for generating polluted runoff. This
past reporting year, the City identified 18 of its sites for Pollution Prevention/ Good Housekeeping
(PP/GH) review with its consultants Moffatt & Nichol (M&N). City and M&N staff conducted 3 rounds
of site visits, with the potential to pollute, in the Spring of 2021. Sites were inspected by staff per DEQ
audit templates and checklists to determine current conditions and site managers were interviewed for
processes, procedures and documentation. M&N and staff will compile existing information to
understand where site improvements and recommendations will be needed. M &N will be implementing
phase II of its contract with the City in Fall of 2021to develop the City’s SWMP per NC DEQ in
preparation of a 2023 audit..

The City currently has a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure plan (SPCC) for the Operations
Complex and a separate Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SPPP) for the Fleet Maintenance
building located within the complex. A SPCC is also in place for the Police Headquarters location.

The City updated its list of all structural SCMs. These include permitted, non-permitted and grant related
SCMs. Currently, there are over 90. The City has worked this past year to update all structural SCMs
based on type, location and features into a GIS database. This will allow for our SCM maintenance field
supervisor to access a comprehensive list for I&M.

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b. Inspection and Maintenance
(I&M) for municipally owned
or operated facilities
The permittee shall maintain and implement, evaluate annually
and update as necessary an Inspection and Maintenance (I&M)
program for municipal owned and operated facilities with the
potential for generating polluted stormwater runoff. The I&M
program shall specify the frequency of inspections and routine
maintenance requirements.

Accomplishments:
Currently, The City relies on a SPCC plan and a SPPP for the Operations Complex , Police HQ and Fleet
Maintenance building. The Fleet Maintenance General Permit (NCG08000) was renewed this past year
and City staff will follow up with the new requirements and schedules for monitoring. Previous
analytical and qualitative monitoring of the outfall per the requirements of the SPPP and General Permit
for Fleet Maintenance indicate parameter levels well below benchmark values.

The City awarded a maintenance contract with a local contractor in January 2021 for all our Oil/Water
separators. Due to budget constraints, the contract could not be executed until July 1, 2021. The
contractor will began inspecting the city locations with the upco ming fiscal year. The contract specifies
frequency of inspections and maintenance requirements.

Moffat & Nichol consultants has reviewed the City facilities with the potential to pollute and will be
following up with I&M schedules in phase II of their c ontract with the City. This will occur in fall 2021.

c. Spill Response Procedures The permittee shall have written spill response procedures for
municipally owned or operated facilities.

Accomplishments:
Spill Response procedures are identified in the City’s SPCC plans for the Operations Complex and
Police Headquarters and also in the SPPP for Fleet Maintenance. The City will continue to follow these
plans and make any changes if necessary and ensure documentation is occurring within the plans.

For the remaining City facilities, Moffatt & Nichol, after reviewing City facilities this past year will
prepare procedures under Phase II of their contract to begin in the fall of 2021 .

The City will continue to review procedures with our Public Services Safety Specialist and also work to
improve and implement procedures and training.

d. Streets, roads, and public
parking lots maintenance
The permittee shall evaluate existing and new BMPs annually that
reduce polluted stormwater runoff from municipally-owned
streets, roads, and public parking lots within their corporate limits.
The permittee must evaluate the effectiveness of these SCMs
based on cost and the estimated quantity of pollutants removed.

Accomplishments:
The City currently utilizes BMPs that help reduce polluted stormwater runoff from streets, roads, and
public parking lots within its jurisdictional area. Stormwater crews sweep City streets with curbing (on
average) twice/month, NCDOT owned roads once/month, and City owned parking lots from once/month
to once/quarter. City owned parking lots include City operations facilities, City Hall, parks locations,
and recreation facilities.

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In reporting year 2020-21, street sweepers swept 7,580 curb miles while collecting sediment, vegetation
and trash potentially diverted from the stormwater sewer system. The amount of debris volume collected
was 500 loads. The City began to calculate approximate volume by observation in Jan./Feb. 2020.
In fiscal year 2020-21, stormwater crews conducted hand maintenance of 145, 886 feet of ditch, 18,385
linear feet of ditch by mechanical methods, cleaned 78,313 linear feet of pipe, and removed blockages and
cleaned 5,914 drainage inlets and manholes thus reducing debris, sediment, vegetation and trash
potentially diverted from being discharged into our receiving waters. An estimated sweeping volume and
vacuum truck volume of debris collected was approximately 7,750 cubic yards. For the next reporting
year, debris calculations should be more precise as the scale house will be back in service again.
Street sweeping is conducted more frequently in the downtown central business areas to help minimize
the solids from entering the catch basins. Currently, the City conducts routine street sweeping in the
Central Business District, 7 days/week to help prevent and reduce the amount of gross solids from
entering the downtown stormwater system.

The City continues to further look at all its field maintenance activities to determine if improvements to
water quality can be incorporated.

e. Inspection and Maintenance
(I&M) for municipally owned
or maintained catch basins and
conveyance systems
The permittee shall maintain and implement an I&M program for
the stormwater sewer system including catch basins and
conveyance systems that it owns and maintains.

Accomplishments:
The City currently has a program for the inspection and maintenance of all City owned storm sewer
conveyance system.. This program includes repair, inspection and maintenance of all City owned right of
ways and officially accepted easements. This information is included in this report under
Operations/Maintenance – Yearly Maintenance Activities Table. The City changed tracking and work
order systems from Intelligov (7/1/20 – 2/14/21) to Munis (2/15/21- 6/30/21) this reporting year. .

f. Identify structural stormwater
controls
The permittee shall maintain a current inventory of municipally-
owned or operated structural stormwater controls installed for
compliance with the permittee’s post-construction ordinance.

Accomplishments:
The City keeps and updates a SCM Manual for all its City owned SCMs. The manual includes all available
State DWQ stormwater permits, O&M plans, and site mapping to review maintenance requirements and
permit renewal dates along with any additional documentation that might be needed. This manual provides
information that can be readily reviewed by maintenance crews to keep the SCMs in compliance. This
manual is updated as needed when additional City facilities are constructed with permitted SCMs.
The City has worked this past year to update all structural SCMs as needed based on type, location and
features into a GIS database. This allows for our SCM maintenance field supervisor to access locations
and type and then coordinate maintenance schedules to the locations. New City software has been
working to integrate with the GIS database and provide documentation but is still going through trial and
error processes this past year. Documentation is now being captured through the new Munis data
management system.

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g. I&M for municipally-owned or
maintained structural
stormwater controls
The permittee shall maintain and implement an I&M program for
municipally-owned or maintained structural stormwater controls
installed for compliance with the permittee’s post-construction
ordinance.

The I&M program shall specify the frequency of inspections and
routine maintenance requirements.

The permittee shall inspect and maintain municipally-owned or
maintained structural stormwater controls in accordance with the
schedule developed by permittee. The permittee shall document
inspections and maintenance of all municipally-owned or
maintained structural stormwater controls.

Accomplishments:
The City keeps and updates a SCM Manual for all its City owned sites. The manual includes all available
State DWQ stormwater permits, O&M plans, and site mapping in order to review maintenance
requirements and permit renewal dates along with any additional documentation that might be needed. This
manual provides information that can be readily reviewed by maintenance crews in order to keep the BMPs
in compliance. Documentation occurs with every SCM site visit and maintenance activity.
The City has worked this past year to update all structural SCMs based on type, location and features into
a GIS database. This will allow for our SCM maintenance field superviso r to access locations and type
and then coordinate maintenance schedules to the locations.

Moffatt & Nichol is currently reviewing City facilities and will addressing I&M programs under Phase II of
their contract to begin in the fall of 2021. SOPs to address the frequency of inspections and routine
maintenance requirements for its SCMs are to be considered by M&N.

h. Pesticide, Herbicide and
Fertilizer Application
Management.
The permittee shall require that contractors are properly trained
and that all permits, certifications, and other measures for
applicators are followed. The permittee shall ensure municipal
employees, as appropriate based on job classification, are trained
and that applicable permits and certifications are maintained, and
follow to the MEP measures for applicators.

Accomplishments:
The City has compiled all pesticide, herbicide and fertilizer application certifications for its Parks and
Recreation and Stormwater personnel to ensure that they are current. These certifications are updated and
renewed annually. Currently, there are 11 certifications for Parks and Recreation staff and 2
certifications for Stormwater/Public Services staff.

The City is getting away from the use of glyphosate as an herbicide, especially in aquatic
environments, to help improve with water quality. The City is in the process of purchasing a
specialty piece of equipment (Conver) for invasive aquatic weed removal. With the purchase of
this equipment, weed removal can be done mechanically without the need for chemicals, thus
limiting the need for herbicide application certifications.

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i. Staff training The permittee shall implement an employee training program for
municipal employees involved in implementing pollution
prevention and good housekeeping practices.

Accomplishments:
Staff training was scheduled for winter of 2020-21 but due to Covid-19and budget constraints, it was
postponed until the next fiscal year . The City is planning to purchase training videos with its upcoming
annual budget and begin training in the fall/winter of 2021 -22. An SCM training for the City’s field
crews is already scheduled for July 2021and will be included in next year’s report.

j. Prevent or Minimize
Contamination of Stormwater
Runoff from all areas used for
Vehicle and Equipment
Cleaning
The permittee shall describe and implement measures to prevent
or minimize contamination of the stormwater runoff from all areas
used for vehicle and equipment cleaning.

Accomplishments:
Maintenance and cleaning conducted at the City’s Operations Complex continues to occur at a covered
wash down station, located at the Solid Waste facility, equipped with an oil/water separator that accepts
wash water and directs it to the sanitary sewer.
In addition, all vehicle maintenance is conducted within the Fleet Maintenance Building. All interior
drains go directly to an oil/water separator and then to the sanitary sewer. As mentioned previously in this
section (2.b), all City owned oil/water separators are now under an annual maintenance contract for
inspection and cleaning. The City’s SPPP for the Fleet Maint. Building addresses Good Housekeeping
within the facility. A site plan checklist is posted within the facility and the site manager conducts daily
inspections of the work areas.
Moffatt & Nichol has begun evaluating the City’s Fire Station locations and procedures that occur
at each facility. During the next reporting year, M&N will be providing recommendations in
phase II of their scope of work of the MS4 program review. Currently, all City Fire Stations have
designated wash down areas for vehicle cleaning.
Moffat & Nichol will also be reviewing and making recommendations at all the City’s operations
facilities with the potential to pollute as 18 City-owned site visits occurred in the 2020-21
reporting year as mentioned in this section (2.a).
Assessment of Program Implementation
The City will continue to keep an inventory of its known facilities with the potential for generating
polluted runoff an update as needed. Sites are identified by location, type of facility and potential
pollution sources. Inspection and Maintenance programs will begin to be implemented at locations
within 2 years and documented annually. Site SCMs to help reduce the potential for pollutants to the
stormwater system will be evaluated and added or modified as needed.
The City is under an annual contract with a local consultant for oil/water separator inspection and
maintenance at all facilities that are applicable.
The City has updated its private and public SCM inventory in this reporting year and will update as
needed.
The City will continue to utilize SCMs that help reduce polluted stormwater runoff from streets, roads, and
public parking lots within its jurisdictional area. These SCMs will be evaluated annually to determine the
effectiveness by looking at the amount of debris removed from public streets and parking lots.

47

The City’s consultant (M&N) will help in developing SOPs to address the routine inspections of its own
SCMs in the next year in phase II of their scope of work in fall/winter 2021-22.
Staff Training for City field crews will be re-evaluated (due to Covid-19 and budgetary constraints) for
content in the next reporting year.
Moffatt & Nichol consultants will begin to provide with PP/GH programs, procedures, and
recommendations for all City owned facilities with the potential to pollute in preparation for NC DEQs
upcoming NPDES audit.

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2. TM L Plans
a. If the permittee has an existing TMDL Plan designed to address the NPDES MS4
regulated WLA assigned to the permittee, that includes monitoring to evaluate progress,
and which addresses the POC through the six minimum control measures; it satisfies the
objectives of this Section H.
b. The permittee may comply with a Department approved management strategy to address
an impairment or TMDL, such as a Nutrient Management Strategy, to satisfy the
objectives of this Section H.
c. The permittee may develop and submit, within 24 months, to the Department for
approval of an alternative approach, such as an Integrated Report - Category 4(b)
watershed plan, to satisfy the objectives of this Section H.
d. For new TMDLs that are not addressed by H.2. a, b, or c above, a TMDL Plan shall be
developed according to H.3 below, and submitted to the Division. Time periods shown
are from the later of the effective date of this permit or the TMDL as approved by EPA.

SECTION H: TOTAL MAXIMUM DAILY LOADS (TMDLs)

1. Objective

a. The permittee shall determine whether the MS4 discharges to receiving waters within a
TMDL watershed and identify the pollutant(s) of concern (POC). For all TMDLs with a
NPDES MS4 regulated WLA assigned to the permittee, the permittee shall determine
whether the POC have potential to occur in MS4 stormwater discharges.
b. The permittee will utilize BMPs within the six minimum measures to address the
permittee’s assigned NPDES MS4 regulated stormwater waste load allocation (WLA)
identified in the approved TMDL to the maximum extent practicable and to the extent
authorized by law.
c. If subject to an approved TMDL with a NPDES MS4 regulated WLA assigned to the
permittee, the permittee will be considered in compliance with the TMDL if the permittee
complies with the conditions of this permit, including developing and implementing
appropriate BMPs within the six minimum measures to address the permittee’s MS4s
NPDES regulated WLA to the maximum extent practicable (MEP). While improved
water quality is the expected outcome, the permittee’s obligation is to implement BMP’s
designed to address the NPDES regulated waste load allocation assigned to the permittee
to the maximum extent practicable (MEP). The permittee is not responsible for attaining
water quality standards (WQS). The Division expects attaining WQS will only be
achieved through reduction from all point and nonpoint source contributors identified in
the approved TMDL.

D

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3. Best Management Practices (BMPs):
BMP Measurable Goals
a. Identify, describe and
map watershed,
outfalls, and streams
Within 12 months the permittee shall prepare a plan that:
• Identifies the watershed(s) subject to an approved TMDL with an
approved Waste Load Allocation (WLAs) assigned to the permittee;
and
• Includes a description of the watershed(s); and
• Includes a map of watershed(s) showing streams & outfalls
• Identifies the locations of currently known major outfalls within its
corporate limits with the potential of contributing to the cause(s) of the
impairment to the impaired segments, to their tributaries, and to
segments and tributaries within the watershed contributing to the
impaired segments; and
• Includes a schedule (not to exceed 6 months) to discover and locate
other unknown maj or outfalls within its corporate limits that may be
contributing to the cause of the impairment to the impaired stream
segments, to their tributaries, and to segments and tributaries within the
watershed contributing to the impaired segments.
b. Evaluate existing
measures
Within 12 months the Permittee’s plan:
• Shall describe existing measures currently being implemented by the
Permittee designed to achieve the MS4’ s NPDES WLA and to
reduce the TMDL pollutant of concern to the MEP within the
watershed to which the TMDL applies; and
• Provide an explanation as to how those measures are designed to reduce
the TMDL pollutant of concern.
• The Permittee shall continue to implement the existing measures until
notified by the Division.
c. Assessment of
available monitoring
data
Within 24 months the permittee’s plan shall include an assessment of
available monitoring data. Where long-term data is available, this
assessment should include an analysis of the data to show trends.
d. Monitoring Plan Within 24 months the permittee shall develop a Monitoring Plan for the
permittee’s assigned NPDES regulated WLA as specified in the TMDL.
The permittee shall maintain and implement the Monitoring Plan as
additional outfalls are identified and as accumulating data may suggest.
Following any review and comment by the Division the permittee shall
incorporate any necessary changes to monitoring plan and initiate the plan
within 6 months. Modifications to the monitoring plan shall be approved by
the Division. Upon request, the requirement to develop a Monitoring Plan
may be waived by the Division if the existing and proposed measures are
determined to be adequate to achieve the MS4’s NPDES WLA to MEP
within the watershed to which the TMDL applies.

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BMP Measurable Goals
e. Additional Measures Within 24 months the permittee’s plan shall:
• Describe additional measures to be implemented by the permittee
designed to achieve the permittee’s MS4’s NPDES WLA and to
reduce the TMDL pollutant of concern to the MEP within the
watershed to which the TMDL applies; and
• Provide an explanation as to how those measures are designed to
achieve the permittee’s MS4’s NPDES regulated WLA to the MEP
within the watershed to which the TMDL applies.
f. Implementation Plan Within 48 months the permittee’s plan shall:
• Describe the measures to be implemented within the remainder of
the permit term designed to achieve the MS4’s NPDES WLA and
to reduce the TMDL pollutant of concern to the MEP; and
• Identify a schedule, subject to Division approval, for completing the
activities.
g. Incremental Success The permittee’s plan must outline ways to track progress and report
successes designed to achieve the MS4’s NPDES regulated WLA and to
reduce the TMDL pollutant of concern to MEP within the watershed to
which the TMDL applies.
h. Reporting The permittee shall conduct and submit to the Division an annual
assessment of the program designed to achieve the MS4’s NPDES WLA
and to reduce the TMDL pollutant of concern to the MEP within the
watershed to which the TMDL applies. Any monitoring data and
information generated from the previous year are to be submitted with each
annual report.

4. If no MS4 NPDES regulated w aste load allocation (WLA) is specified in the TMDL

At any time during the effective dates of this permit, if a TMDL has been approved that does not
assign a WLA for the pollutant of concern to the municipal stormwater system, if there was no
waste load allocation specified for the POC in the TMDL assigned to the municipal stormwater
system, in lieu of developing a plan within this permit section, within 24 months the Permittee
shall evaluate strategies and tailor BMP’s within the scope of the six minimum permit measures
to address the POC in the watershed(s) to which the TMDL applies, to the MEP and to the extent
allowed by law.

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Bradley & Hewletts Creeks Watershed Restoration Plan Accomplishments:
The Bradley and Hewletts Creeks Watershed Restoration Plan has continued to make progress over the 2020-
2021 fiscal year in promoting volume-reducing stormwater control measures (SCMs), also known as best
management practices (BMPs), to the public. The Heal Our Waterways (HOW) Program, which is the
informal name of the restoration plan, had greater reach and engagements through social media campaigns,
garnered more attention through news outlets, and continued its involvement with 319 grant partnerships and
community events.
As with previous years, two educational postcards were created and mailed, in the fall and spring, to 20,000+
residents and businesses within the Bradley and Hewletts Creek watersheds, as well as areas adjacent to the
watersheds that drain directly into the Intracoastal Waterway. The fall 2020 postcard discussed the
importance of 1.5 inches of rain, or the “first flush”, in coastal communities and simple steps that property
owners can take to keep pollutants out of stormwater runoff. The spring 2021 postcard featured the
importance of wetlands and how property owners can help to protect wetlands in the Bradley and Hewletts
Creeks Watersheds. The wetlands information was also used in the spring Wilmington Currents newsletter,
which was distributed to all homeowners within the City limits.
The media partnership with WECT continued this year to raise more awareness about the Monthly Rain
Barrel Sale (hosted by New Hanover Soil & Water Conservation District and the City of Wilmington) and the
HOW Program in general. The Fall 2020 campaign was heavily focused on the Monthly Rain Barrel Sale and
the benefits of rain barrels, with video pre-rolls, weather channel display banners, and targeted Facebook ads.
WECT.com is viewed by an average of 1.5 million unique visitors per month and the WECT Facebook page
has over 258,500 followers. The HOW Program was also featured in several “Homepage Takeovers” on
WECT’s website on dates close to the physical sale. The banners for the takeover featured animations for rain
barrels and, if visitors clicked on them, linked to information about the local monthly rain barrel sale. The
Spring 2021 campaign used some of the rain barrel materials close to sale dates but provided more general
information about the HOW Program throughout the rest of the campaign. One of the new PSAs that was
created during 2020 was utilized with the addition of a watershed map to target more Bradley and Hewletts
Creeks residents through Facebook ads.
Two new billboard designs were created this year to educate residents on stormwater runoff and raise
awareness of the HOW Program. The Fall 2020 billboard featured a stormwater outfall draining into a
waterway with the phrase, “Get the Drop on Polluted Runoff!” The Spring 2021 billboard featured a closeup
of plants in rain and the phrase, “Rain Showers Love Rain Gardens”, as well as the HOW website. These
billboards were posted next to a busy intersection in Bradley Creek to reach watershed residents/motorists.
The campaigns ran for the full months of October 2020 and April 2021, respectively.
HOW also renewed its presence as an underwriting partner with local National Public Radio affiliate,
WHQR. This year, the campaign highlighted rerouting downspouts and installing rain barrels as stormwater
solutions residents could incorporate at home. The messaging was broken into fall and spring campaigns. The
first ran through October and November 2020 and included 23 total announcements. The second campaign
ran in late spring through April and May and included a total of 38 announcements. Each week, WHQR
reached about 40,000 listeners in the Wilmington Designated Market Area.
With many COVID-19 restrictions still present through FY21, the Wilmington Earth Day Festival went
virtual in April 2021. The festival featured events, vendors, and locations that were environmentally-friendly
throughout all of April in a scavenger hunt format. For each item a resident participated in or location that

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they visited, they were entered into a weekly drawing for raffle prizes. The HOW Program featured both
Anne McCrary Park and Wade Park as locations to visit and hosted an in-person tour of the stormwater
solutions installed at Anne McCrary Park on April 27th, 2021. Example practices included large and small
rain gardens, rain barrels, and pervious pavement. Four residents attended the tour and provided feedback that
it was helpful to see how the practices looked and functioned in-person.
The HOW Program’s social media and website traffic continued to grow during 2021. The biggest
advancement was the addition of a HOW Instagram page which grew to 291 followers in 11 months. The
HOW Program now has a presence on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, in addition to its main webpage.
During 2021, the Heal Our Waterways website home page received 2,430 unique views. News stories were
posted monthly, and new videos and publications were posted to the website, including a video featuring a
cistern recently installed at a local fire station.
The 319 Grant in partnership with North Carolina Coastal Federation and the University of North Carolina
Wilmington wrapped in December 2020. A final rain garden was excavated by Tinga Landscaping and
planted by socially-distanced volunteers during the fall semester with the help of UNCW Landscaping and
UNCW Sustainability. With the new rain garden, previously installed rain gardens, and previous pervious
pavement retrofits, 6,515,804 million gallons of stormwater runoff will be reduced annually or 424,655
gallons for the one year, 24-hour storm. With such a great success rate and positive response from the
university, a “Phase II” EPA 319 Grant application with the same partners was submitted in May 2021 and
was invited for an interview by the grant panelists.
While one grant ended, another began -- the HOW Program entered a 319 Grant Partnership with North
Carolina State University (NCSU) this year. NCSU is planning to work with Stormwater Services to retrofit
an existing drainage swale with wetland plants. Two private wet retention ponds will also be retrofitted to
maximize pollution treatment upstream of Clear Run Branch, which drains directly into Bradley Creek. Work
will begin in the summer and fall of 2021. In addition to the structural retrofits, an outreach campaign is
tentatively planned for an HOA neighborhood located near the project area to inform residents about the
benefits of rerouting downspouts into lawn or garden areas.
New Hanover Soil & Water Conservation District (NHSWCD) was once again granted a contract
(HOWBMP) with the city to install BMPs on private properties in the watersheds. HOWBMP produced 9
total installations this year and identified interested potential participants for next year. Of this year’s
participants in the program, the homeowners were spread between Bradley and Hewletts Creeks and all
received rain gardens. The total volume reduction from the HOWBMP program this year was 906 cubic feet.
HOW Program staff continues to track BMP volume reduction projects that are in-design or in-the-ground
using the GIS Atlas. This tracking tool allows HOW to analyze current impacts and assess stormwater
volume reduction numbers from BMPs within the two target watersheds and continues to be a key factor in
HOW’s progress, both in scope and accuracy. All 319 grant projects, HOWBMP projects, tree plantings,
private retrofits discovered through site visits, and city-wide rain barrel sale data was recorded for FY21.
Finally, while events were still largely postponed during FY21, the HOW Program did participate in several
virtual and outdoor presentations with community partners. The relationship with the Wilmington Farmer’s
Market continued with HOW being present approximately once a month for market days. The HOW Program
was also featured as a presenter in a virtual “Backyard Sustainability Series” with NCSU Cooperative
Extension and a “Watershed Moment” community event with New Hanover Soil & Water Conservation
District.

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Annual Assessment & Evaluation of Plan Implementation:
The HOW Program continued its forward momentum this year with more installations, widespread social
media campaigns, and greater awareness among City departments. Along with the online growth of the HOW
Program, there were also substantial gains towards the volume reduction goals established by the Watershed
Restoration Plan.
Along with the addition of Instagram, the HOW Program built a greater partnership with the City’s
Communications Department. Several collaborative “Watershed Wednesday” posts were featured on the
City’s main social media channels and discussed general information about the HOW Program and
stormwater pollution. The HOW Program also worked with Communications to respond to several media
inquiries. High bacteria levels in Bradley Creek were picked up by the media and resulted in several written
and tv news interviews. One interview by WECT News specifically focused on the recently completed 319-
grant funded rain garden at UNCW, particularly the benefits for water quality in Bradley Creek.
Communications also developed a video for a 1000-gallon cistern that was installed at a Fire Station located
within the Bradley Creek Watershed and funded by the HOW Program. This widespread news coverage and
collaboration with City Communications helped to increase awareness about the existence of the HOW
Program as a whole.
In addition to the successful structural projects that were installed within both watersheds, there were several
internal movements to establish actions that would benefit water quality. For example, more attention was
given to protecting Bradley Creek within the proposed updates for the City’s Land Development Code. While
the proposed changes may not make it into the final draft, there have been several meetings and presentations
that discussed the state of water quality in Bradley Creek with area leaders. This process has kept Bradley
Creek relevant and raised greater awareness about some of the major stressors that threaten the health of the
creek.
Ultimately, the HOW Program is continuing progress towards the Bradley and Hewletts Creeks Watershed
Restoration Plan’s 6 Objectives and 35 Actions. The information below outlines this progress:
Objective 1: Continue existing programs that address water quality impairments in both watersheds:
Objective Action # Specific Action Timeline Partners
1. Continue Existing
Programs that Address
Water Quality
Impairments in Both
Watersheds

Action 1-1 Implement and enforce
existing stormwater
requirements for new
development and
redevelopment
On-going City of Wilmington – Stormwater
Services, Engineering, Development
Services; NC DWQ, WB
Action 1-2 Continue to promote LID
designs
On-going City of Wilmington – Stormwater
Services, Engineering, Development
Services; NC DWQ, WB
Action 1-3 Continue to cooperate with
CCAP
On-going City of Wilmington –Engineering,
Development Services; NCCF, WB, New
Hanover Soil & Water
Action 1-4 Maintain existing educational
programs
On-going City of Wilmington - Stormwater
Services; NCCF, New Hanover Soil &
Water, WB
Action 1-5

Reflect plan in other City
plans and NPDES annual
permit report
As plans are
updated
City of Wilmington – Stormwater
Services, Engineering, Development
Services: WB, NCCF
Action 1-6

Continue education and code
enforcement programs that
reduce and eliminate sources
of bacteria and pathogens
On-going City of Wilmington – Stormwater
Services; WB

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related to human and pet
wastes

In support of Actions 1-1 and 1-5, the HOW Program continued its partnership with the City’s Planning and
Engineering Departments to provide feedback on proposed changes to the Land Development Code (LDC)
and on proposed developments within the City of Wilmington through the Technical Review Committee
(TRC) process. For example, the Exceptional Design Criteria, which allows projects to build greater density
along SA waterways if LID practices are incorporated, was under review through the LDC updates. The
HOW Program worked with the Planning Department to determine which SCMs should be included in the
Exceptional Design Criteria, what the design requirements should be, and how much “credit” could be
received by incorporating the various SCMs. During TRC meetings, the current Exceptional Design Criteria
were also presented to developers for projects that fell within the appropriate boundaries as potential
incentives for incorporating more LID practices. Whether or not developers incorporate LID, the Engineering
Department continues to ensure that all State and City stormwater regulations are met for developments
during the TRC process.
HOW continued the fall and spring watershed mailers again this year in support of Action 1-4, but with a
greater focus on educating residents about stormwater pollution. The fall mailer briefly discussed the 1.5
inches stormwater regulation rule and featured simple solutions that can help to soak in the “first flush”
during rain events, supporting Action 1-2. The spring mailer focused on the benefits of wetlands and how
residents can help protect coastal wetlands along Bradley and Hewletts Creeks. Both postcards were mailed
to over 20,000 residents within the target watersheds.
All media partnerships also continued this year for educational messaging. HOW partnered with WECT,
WHQR, and Lamar Billboards to bring awareness to the HOWBMP funding program, the monthly rain barrel
sale, and the HOW website. The HOW website and all social media channels (FB, Twitter, & IG) continued
to remain active throughout the year as well. The HOW Program also continued distributing quarterly e-
newsletters, covering topics from native plants to proper tree planting techniques. There are currently 382
active subscribers.
Regarding Action 1-3, CCAP is a funding program that is coordinated through the New Hanover Soil and
Water Conservation District (NHSWCD). This program was promoted to a few property owners that were
outside of the HOWBMP contract program with NHSWCD but was not a large area of focus in FY21 due to
most of the funds already being allocated. A greater area of focus was placed on the HOWBMP Program
(which is modelled after CCAP), which installed a total of 9 rain gardens between 7 properties during FY21.
The total volume reduction was 906 cubic feet, exceeding the total from the FY1920. The funding was
increased to $30,000 this year and was almost completely expended, with more properties on the waitlist for
FY22.
The HOW Program continued its existing educational programs, such as regular tabling at the Wilmington
Farmer’s Market. New outreach materials were created this year to highlight common sources of pollutants
and how they can be kept out of storm drains by keeping pollutants out of the environment and by
implementing simple LID practices, such as rain barrels and downspout extenders. To encourage more
participation from the public, rain barrels were raffled off at most market events. LID practices were also
promoted through tours of the Stormwater Demonstration Site at Anne McCrary Park. Multiple residents
joined the HOW Program for an Earth Day Walking Tour and several homeowners also attended one-on-one
tours. Interest grew as the HOW Program, Alliance for Cape Fear Trees, Wilmington Tree Commission, and
NHSWCD worked together to reach out to HOAs within the City and discuss the benefits of green
infrastructure for neighborhoods.
Objective 2: Determine appropriate water quality classifications and designated uses where water
quality impairment exists:
2. Determine
Appropriate Water
Action 2-1

Work with SS, UNCW, WB and
NCCF to conduct preliminary
Year 1, establish
preliminary
City of Wilmington –Stormwater
Services; UNCW, SS, WB, NCCF

55

Quality Classifications
and Designated Uses
Where Water Quality
Impairment Exists

evaluations of water quality to
determine where more intensive
state (SS) water quality
investigations are needed
monitoring
Action 2-2 Work with SS to establish new
monitoring stations within
impaired waters influenced by
the Bradley Creek watershed
Year 2 based
upon preliminary
monitoring
City of Wilmington –Stormwater
Services; UNCW, SS, WB, NCCF
Action 2-3

Work with SS to establish new
monitoring stations within
impaired waters influenced by
the Hewletts Creek watershed
Year 2 based
upon preliminary
monitoring
City of Wilmington –Stormwater
Services; UNCW, SS, WB, NCCF
Action 2-4 Evaluate the results of bacterial
source monitoring in Banks
Channel that is being conducted
by UNC-CH
Study underway,
evaluate results
in Year 1
WB, UNC-CH, UNCW, NCCF
Action 2-5

Request Use Attainability Study
on SA waters along
Wrightsville Beach shoreline in
Banks Channel. These waters
are automatically closed to
Shellfish Harvest due to
marinas, and have been polluted
since 1947.
Year 2 WB, NCCF, NC DWQ
Action 2-6

Request Use Attainability Study
on SB waters now “Approved”
for shellfish harvest in waters
influenced by the Bradley Creek
Watershed
Year 2 City of Wilmington, WB, NCCF, NC
DWQ

Action 2-7

Determine if there is potential to
restore shellfish harvest in any
additional waters classified as
SB that are influenced by the
Bradley Creek watershed
Years 4-5 City of Wilmington –Stormwater
Services; UNCW, SS, WB, NCCF
Action 2-8 Evaluate the status and trends in
bacteria contamination within
the entire Hewletts Creek
watershed based upon more
intensive data collected as part
of plan implementation
Year 5 City of Wilmington –Stormwater
Services; UNCW, SS, NC DWQ, NCCF

In accordance with Action 2-1, Dr. Mike Mallin’s Aquatic Ecology Lab with the University of North
Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW) continues to conduct regular surface water sampling to determine what
effects the HOW Program’s volume reduction efforts are having on the health of the creeks. Additional
monitoring stations were added in the upper north branch of Bradley Creek to prepare for a pre/post
comparison for the upcoming 319 Grant with NCSU, which will be incorporating wet pond retrofits directly
upstream from the stations.
This plan objective concentrates heavily on the classification of local waters and the appropriateness of
current classifications considering today’s conditions. A discussion with State staff this year indicated that
reclassification of a portion of Banks Channel with docks would not be likely (Action 2-5), but also that a
TMDL is not likely to be pursued due to the unique circumstances in this area of the waterway. Staff also
discussed the requirements needed to reclassify a waterbody such as Bradley Creek from SC to SB or SA,
which would include documenting active use of the waterbody. A reclassification of this nature would require
engagement and discussions with Stormwater Staff, City Council, and Bradley Creek residents if
reclassification were to be pursued in the future.
Objective 3: Reduce the transport of bacteria from land to water by reducing and tracking volume
reduction:

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3. Track the reduction
of the transport of
bacteria from land to
water

Action 3-1 Secure and budget funds for
retrofits in the Bradley Creek
watershed, deter-mine
volume that can be reduced
with funds, and track actual
reductions using
measurement tools
Secure funds years
1 & 2, design
retrofits year 3,
install and track
reductions years 4
& 5
City of Wilmington –Stormwater
Services; UNCW, SS, NC DWQ, NCCF
Action 3-2 Secure and budget funds for
retrofits in the Hewletts
Creek watershed, deter-mine
volume that can be reduced
with funds, and track actual
reductions using
measurement tools
Secure funds years
1 & 2, design
retrofits year 3,
install and track
reductions years 4
& 5
City of Wilmington –Stormwater
Services; UNCW, SS, NC DWQ, NCCF

Both Action 3-1 and Action 3-2 saw continued progress through FY21. These goals were accomplished by
installing volume reduction practices through grants, interdepartmental partnerships, local rain barrel sales,
and the HOWBMP contract program. All projects were tracked in the HOW Program’s GIS Atlas, which
estimates the total volume of runoff reduced within each watershed.
The North Carolina Coastal Federation’s (NCCF) grant for stormwater retrofits on UNCW’s campus
continued to be a major contributor to exceeding the internal performance measure of 0.15-acre feet of
volume reduction within the Bradley Creek Watershed. A final rain garden was installed in fall 2020 and will
treat approximately 73,847 gallons per storm. This initiative, in addition to the other projects completed
within the Bradley Creek Watershed, helped achieve the volume reduction measure for the Bradley Creek
Watershed by 160%.
The HOWBMP contract with New Hanover Soil and Water Conservation District installed several rain
gardens in both the Bradley and Hewletts Creek Watersheds this year. There were 9 total rain gardens
installed for 7 homeowners with a total volume reduction of 906 cubic feet.
Rain barrels installations also continued at a high rate in the Bradley and Hewletts Creek Watersheds. The
monthly rain barrel sale and giveaways hosted by the HOW Program contributed to the large distribution of
rain barrels in FY21.
Finally, the HOW Program continued its partnership with the Wilmington Fire Department to install two
1000-gallon cisterns – one in the Bradley Creek Watershed and one in the Hewletts Creek Watershed. The
fire stations will use the rainwater captured in the cisterns to wash vehicles and irrigate landscaping around
the buildings. This completes the cistern installation initiative for fire stations located within the Bradley and
Hewletts Creeks Watersheds. There are now a total of four 1000-gallon cisterns.
Objective 4: Promote stormwater reduction efforts:
4. Promote Stormwater
Reduction Efforts
Action 4-1 Promote use of GIS web
based retrofit Atlas
Each year City of Wilmington – Stormwater
Services, Engineering, Development
Services; WB, NCCF
Action 4-2 Investigate cost effective
methods of working with
landowners to disconnect
impervious surfaces
Year 1 & 2 NCCF, City of Wilmington, WB

Action 4-3 Promote LID retrofits within
private development
Each year City of Wilmington – Stormwater
Services, Engineering, Development
Services; WB, NCCF.
Action 4-4 Promote tree planting and
retention
Each year Wilmington Tree Commission; City of
Wilmington - Development Services,
Stormwater Services; Keep New Hanover
Beautiful, NCCF, Coop Extension, WB

57

Action 4-5 Promote stormwater
reduction measures on City
streets in future capital
improvement projects
Dependent on
Capital
Improvement
schedule
City of Wilmington - Stormwater
Services, Engineering, Streets Divisions,
Development Services; WB, NCCF
Action 4-6 Pursue strategy with NCDOT
to incorporate retrofits into
highway upgrades
Years 1 – 5 City of Wilmington - Development
Services, Stormwater Services; NCDOT,
NCCF, WB
Action 4-7 Promote LID retrofits in
future publicly funded
maintenance or
redevelopment of City owned
buildings, parks, parking lots,
and drainage systems
Based upon project
schedules
City of Wilmington – Engineering,
Stormwater Services, Community
Services, D Services; WB, NCCF
Action 4-8 Promote and assist with LID
retrofits at county schools
Ongoing based
upon efforts at
schools
NCCF, New Hanover County School
System, CCAP
Action 4-9 Encourage UNC-W to
develop campus wide master
plan to retrofit to reduce
stormwater volume
Year 3 City of Wilmington - Stormwater
Services, Development Services; UNCW,
NCCF
Action 4-10

Evaluate properties for
retrofit or restoration
potential.
Year 2 City of Wilmington - Stormwater
Services, Development Services; WB
Action 4-11 Evaluate existing stormwater
ponds on public/private
property for potential vol.
reductions, retrofit them if
feasible
Years 3 - 5 City of Wilmington - Stormwater
Services; WB, NCCF

During FY21, action 4-1 was still supported through continued use of and updates to the GIS Atlas. The
“Who’s Helping?” map was updated and posted to the website with the most recent installations. The
presentation at the June 8th “Watershed Moment” event also discussed the overall process of using the GIS
Atlas to track projects within the watersheds. The presentation was given to the public and several community
partners and served as an overview to those new to the tracking system and a reminder to those already
familiar with the HOW Program to continue submitting their projects to be included in the GIS Atlas.
The HOW Program continued providing recommendations during the City’s Technical Review Committee
(TRC) meetings for proposed developments, including a few City-related properties, in support of Actions 4-
3 and 4-7. Several developments incorporated the green infrastructure suggestions that were provided to them
through the review process. Also, in support of Action 4-3, the discussion to add additional stormwater
protections to Bradley Creek within the draft Land Development Code (LDC) continued. While the change
may not remain in the final LDC, several presentations to City Council and Planning Commission have made
it clear that retrofits and LID will be necessary to help improve water quality within the creek.
Tree plantings were also a major focus for stormwater improvements in tandem with the creation of the
Wilmington Tree Initiative to support Action 4-4. Several tree plantings occurred within the Bradley and
Hewletts Creeks Watersheds and were organized by multiple groups, including the HOW Program, the City’s
Community Services Department, the Wilmington Tree Commission, and UNCW. All tree plantings were
tracked in the GIS Atlas, in accordance with Action 4-1. The tree plantings through the HOW Program took
place at JEL Wade Park (City of Wilmington park/wetland), which was supportive of Action 4-7.
Finally, in support of Actions 4-3, 4-7, 4-10, and 4-11, a grant with North Carolina State University was
approved for full funding to retrofit several private wet ponds and a public drainage swale in the upper
reaches of Bradley Creek. These retrofits will improve the stormwater residency time, reduce a greater
volume of stormwater, and add habitat within a highly urbanized area. The meetings with property owners
have already concluded and construction will begin in early FY22.

58

Objective 5: Form and maintain partnerships:
5. Form and Maintain
Partnerships

Action 5-1 Work with partners to
educate stakeholders
Years 1 – 5 City of Wilmington - Stormwater
Services, Development Services; NCCF,
New Hanover Soil & Water, WB
Action 5-2

Work with government
agencies and NGOs to secure
grants for retrofits and other
programs
Years 1 – 5 City of Wilmington – Stormwater
Services; Development Services; NCCF,
WB, Cape Fear Public Utilities
Action 5-3 Provide strategies and
policies for city departments
to carry out plan by
incorporating runoff
reduction strategies into the
CIP process.
Years 1 – 5 City of Wilmington - Stormwater
Services; Development Services, and
Finance Depts.; NCCF
Action 5-4 Promote use of atlas among
key City departments in their
routine business
Years 1 – 5 City of Wilmington - Stormwater
Services, Development Services; NCCF,
WB
Action 5-5

Promote existing technical
training opportunities to
advance plan
Years 1 – 5 Special training arranged by partners
using their own funds and grants, City of
Wilmington - Stormwater Services,
Development Services; WB, NCCF
Action 5-6

Work with UNCW on retrofit
projects
Years 1 – 5 grants, capital improvements
City of Wilmington - Stormwater
Services; UNCW, NCCF

Satisfying several Actions (5-1, 5-2, 5-6), partnerships continue to be a vital component of the success of the
HOW Program. HOW continued its partnerships with local news media outlets (WECT, WHQR, and Lamar
Billboards), the New Hanover County Soil and Water Conservation District, North Carolina Coastal
Federation, University of North Carolina-Wilmington, NC State University – Cooperative Extension, and
members of the Wilmington Tree Commission. The Wilmington Farmer’s Market at Tidal Creek Co-op, New
Hanover Soil and Water Conservation District, and North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension
provided opportunities to promote the HOW Program and retrofits to property owners within the Bradley and
Hewletts Creeks Watersheds through virtual presentations and outdoor events.
In accordance with Action 5-1, the HOW Program continued to be a presence at the Wilmington Farmer’s
Market, located within the Bradley Creek Watershed, and raffled off several rain barrels to homeowners
within the Bradley and Hewletts Creeks Watersheds. Events were still limited during the summer and fall, but
winter and spring saw an uptick in the number of event opportunities. The HOW Program was featured in a
presentation about stormwater solutions for the North Carolina State University Co-operative Extension’s
“Backyard Sustainability” series, which was a new event this year. HOW also presented at “A Watershed
Moment” hosted by New Hanover Soil and Water Conservation District to discuss the history of the
watershed restoration plan and the current initiatives to improve water quality in Bradley and Hewletts
Creeks.
While the Wilmington Earth Day Festival still did not occur in its usual festival format, it was modified into a
virtual event and the HOW Program was able to participate. The online scavenger hunt included locations
that were relevant to the HOW Program, as well as an in-person tour of the Stormwater Demonstration Site at
Anne McCrary Park. This opportunity was made possible through a continued partnership with the
Wilmington Earth Day Alliance.
The ongoing partnership with the NC Coastal Federation continues to fulfil Action 5-2, securing 319 Grant
funds for retrofits within the Bradley Creek Watershed. The first 319 UNCW grant contributed to tremendous
success for Action 5-6 with the installation of a final rain garden, which was completed in fall 2020. To
continue the forward momentum, a new grant application was submitted in May 2021 for a “Phase II” 319
Grant to again take place on UNCW’s campus. To also support action 5-2, the grant application with North

59

Carolina State University (NCSU) was approved and officially awarded funds in February 2021. The HOW
Program will tentatively play a role in two 319 grants in the Bradley Creek Watershed, depending on the
acceptance of the UNCW grant application.
Objective 6: Measure success and adapt plan based upon results:
6. Measure Success
and Adapt Plan Based
Upon Results
Action 6-1 Use atlas accounting system
to track progress toward
watershed goals.
Years 1 – 5 City of Wilmington - Stormwater
Services, Development Services; NCCF,
WB
Action 6-2 Work with SS, WB, and
UNCW to monitor water
quality status and trends
Years 1 – 5 City of Wilmington - Stormwater
Services, Development Services; NCCF,
WB, UNCW
Action 6-3 Conduct annual and five year
assessment of plan’s success
and modify plan as needed
Yearly City of Wilmington - Stormwater
Services, Development Services; NCCF,
WB, UNCW

Water quality is still being closely monitored by UNCW, in accordance with Action 6-2. The additional
stations in upper Bradley Creek consistently showed high fecal coliform levels through FY21. Cape Fear
Public Utility Authority and the City’s Public Services Department investigated to see if there was a sewage
leak in the area, but no evidence was found. The hope is that the 319 Grant work with NCSU directly
upstream of the stations will help to improve the bacteria levels in this area. Both Bradley Creek and Hewletts
Creek continued to show high fecal coliform levels, while the downstream stations in Hewletts Creek only
exceeded the standard in 25% of the samples. This reflects the benefits of having the constructed stormwater
wetland at Wade Park in the Hewletts Creek Watershed, which has shown documented reductions in bacteria,
TSS, TP, and TN levels in stormwater runoff leaving the wetland.
To highlight the program’s progress through Action 6-1, the city-established performance measure for
volume reduction for Bradley Creek was exceeded by 160%. Hewletts Creek did not meet the city-established
performance measure for volume reduction again this year, but there were still 27 volume-reducing SCMs
installed within the watershed. This has consistently been a trend that while there is a large amount of interest
from homeowners, the projects installed are typically smaller rain gardens or rain barrels. The grant projects
in the Bradley Creek Watershed have installed larger, commercial-scale practices, which is reflected by the
success of the Bradley Creek measure. Unfortunately, the city performance measures were not able to be
adjusted during FY21 despite having evidence of this trend. Staff will continue to advocate for an adjustment
to the performance measures in future strategic plans. Overall, there was still progress towards reducing the
hydrograph of both watersheds.
While the next 5 year assessment will not occur until September 2022, it can be seen through the annual
assessment above, the increase in the number of projects installed, continued grant funding opportunities and
partnerships, and the expanded media reach that the HOW Program continues to gain momentum towards
achieving the volume reduction goals for Bradley Creek and Hewletts Creek.

5. Information regarding North Carolina TMDLs

Information regarding North Carolina TMDLs is available at:

https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/planning/modeling-assessment

60

APPENDICES

61

APPENDIX A: PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION INCLUDING MODIFICATIONS AND
JUSTIFICATION

None for this reporting year.

62

APPENDIX B: PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OUTREACH

Included in this section:
• BMP Reporting Table
• Public Outreach, Education and Involvement Plan including program goals, description of target pollutants,
sources, and target audiences

DATE OF EVENT/
ACTIVITY EVENT/ACTIVITY AUDIENCE DELIVERED BY
(AGENCY)
METHOD OF DELIVERY /
MESSAGE
ATTENDANCE/
PARTICIPATION

BMP a. Define outreach/education program goals and objectives.
BMP b. Describe target pollutants and/or stressors
BMP c. Describe target audiences
BMP d. Describe residential and industrial/commercial issues
Outreach and education program goals and objectives, as well as a description of the target pollutants, sources/stressors, target
audiences, and residential/commercial issues, as well as key outreach messages are thoroughly identified in the city's Public
Outreach/Education & Participation/Involvement Plan, which is included in the Appendix. This plan is updated as necessary to
reflect changes in target audience characteristics, demographics, awareness, behaviors, etc. The latest plan update was Sprin g
2021.

BMP e. Informational Web Site (www.wilmingtonnc.gov/stormwater)
Ongoing/Regular
Updates
Stormwater
Services website
General
public,
website
viewers
Stormwater
Services
Dedicated
stormwater website
www.wilmingtonnc.gov/stormwater
7/1/20 Stormwater
Services website
General
public
Website
viewers
Stormwater
Services
Updated Stormwater
billing and rate
information
www.wilmingtonnc.gov/stormwater
7/14/20 Stormwater
Services website
General
public
Web viewers
Social media
followers
Communications
Div.
News article - Clear
Run Branch
Drainage
Improvement Project
www.wilmingtonnc.gov/stormwater
8/1/20 Stormwater
Services website
General
public
Website
viewers
Stormwater
Services
Uploaded new Litter
PSA on homepage
www.wilmingtonnc.gov/stormwater
9/5/20 Stormwater
Services website
General
public
Website
viewers
Stormwater
Services
Updated images on
Report Stormwater
Pollution webpage
www.wilmingtonnc.gov/stormwater
10/20/20 Stormwater
Services website
General
public
Website
viewers
Stormwater
Services
Updated the CIP
Project Map on
Projects webpage
www.wilmingtonnc.gov/stormwater
9/16/20 Stormwater
Services website
General
public
Website
viewers
Stormwater
Services
Updated the Fall
2020 Schedule and
other info on the
Enviroscape
webpage
www.wilmingtonnc.gov/stormwater
11/1/20 Stormwater
Services website
General
public
Website
viewers
Stormwater
Services
Uploaded new
NPDES Annual
Report to
Regulations
webpage
www.wilmingtonnc.gov/stormwater
1/28/21 Stormwater
Services website
General
public
Web viewers
Social media
followers
Communications
Div.
News article -
Monthly Rain Barrel
Sale
www.wilmingtonnc.gov/stormwater

63

3/25/21 Stormwater
Services website
General
public
Web viewers
Social media
followers
Communications
Div.
News article -
Turning a Lake from
Green to Clean -
Waterloop Podcast
www.wilmingtonnc.gov/stormwater
4/1/21 Stormwater
Services website
General
public
Web viewers
Social media
followers
Communications
Div.
Created brand new
webpage dedicated
to Stormwater CIP &
Iin-House projects
www.wilmingtonnc.gov/stormwater
5/7/21 Stormwater
Services website
General
public
Web viewers
Social media
followers
Communications
Div.
News article - There
is no Poop Fairy
PSA
www.wilmingtonnc.gov/stormwater
5/12/21 Stormwater
Services website
General
public
Website
viewers
Stormwater
Services
Updated Canines for
Clean Water
www.wilmingtonnc.gov/stormwater
5/15/20 Stormwater
Services website
General
public
Website
viewers
Stormwater
Services
Uploaded UNCW
Water Quality Report
to Publications
webpage
www.wilmingtonnc.gov/stormwater
5/31/21 Stormwater
Services website
General
public
Web viewers
Social media
followers
Communications
Div.
Uploaded
Stormwater Watch
Newsletter
www.wilmingtonnc.gov/stormwater
6/11/21 Stormwater
Services website
General
public
Web viewers
Social media
followers
Communications
Div.
News article -
Stormwater Watch
Newsletter
www.wilmingtonnc.gov/stormwater
6/10/21 Stormwater
Services website
General
public
Website
viewers
Stormwater
Services
Updated Contact Us
page with new on-
call info
www.wilmingtonnc.gov/stormwater

BMP f. Distribute public education materials and information to identified target audiences and
user groups. For example, schools, homeowners, and/or businesses.
In addition to public outreach efforts in this category, two Stormwater Compliance Officers also distribute education materia ls to the
public and to targeted user groups (i.e. pet owners, auto shops, restaurants, landscapers, residents, etc). The Compliance Officers
issue NOVs and fines to citizens and businesses that have been identified as non-compliant with the City's stormwater ordinances.
Information about these code enforcement actions are included in the Compliance/Enforcement section and the appendix.
Fall 2020 &
Spring 2021
semesters
8th Grade
Enviroscape
Watershed
Presentations
All 8th Grade
NHC Schools
Science
Classes
Stormwater Services
CFRW
NHSWCD
ZOOM virtual
presentation about
watersheds, local water
quality issues, nonpoint
source pollution, BMPs
and stewardship. Virtual
presentations included
quiz/poll questions and
interactive chat with
students and teachers.
50 virtual
presentations
total:
Fall - 20 classes,
520 students
Spring - 30
classes, 732
students
7/9/2020 Stormwater
Services General
Informational
Brochure
CFPUA
Customers
Stormwater Services All CFPUA customers are
billed for Stormwater
fees. CFPUA distributes
1500+ brochures
annually.
1500 Stormwater
Brochures
distributed to
CFPUA customers
7/23/2020 Pet Waste Signage
for Condo HOA
Wrightsville
Green HOA
Stormwater Services Provided signage to HOA
to help address pet waste
issue on private property
4 pet waste signs
distributed

64

7/30/2020 UNCW Good
Neighbor Packets
UNCW Off
Campus
Students
Stormwater Services
Stormwater
Compliance
Pet Waste Brochure
included in student
welcome packets
300 pet waste
brochures
distributed
10/2/2020 Pet Waste
Educational Signs &
Supplies
The Quad
Apartment
Complex
Stormwater Services Pet Waste signage,
brochures, and
management packet
distributed to apartment
managers
200 residents
105 educational
items distributed
10/10/2020 LakeFest at
Greenfield Lake
(limited, socially-
distanced event due
to Covid 19)
General public Stormwater Services Litter Prevention Display
and activity for attendees
with educational
stormwater giveaways
provided to each
participant.
30 attendees
80 educational
items distributed
10/16/2020 Targeted Mailing Scotland Lane
Homeowners
Stormwater
Compliance
Compliance mailing to
inform homeowners of
proper yard waste
disposal practices
35 Yard Waste
Disposal
informational
compliance letters
mailed
11/12/2020 Landscaper
Educational and
Ordinance Mailing
Landscapers Stormwater Services Yard Waste ordinance
compliance letter
Don't Blow It large
posters in English &
Spanish
General SWS brochure
93 mailings
372 educational
items distributed
10/23/2020 Stormwater
Presentation for
Civic Group
Cape Fear
Roatary Club
Stormwater Services Presented Stormwater
101 Powerpoint
presentation/Q&A
30 members
11/12/2020 Landscaper
Educational and
Ordinance Mailing
Landscapers Stormwater Services Yard Waste ordinance
compliance letter
Don't Blow It large
posters in English &
Spanish
General SWS brochure
93 mailings
372 educational
items distributed
2/24/2021 Cape Fear
Academy
1st Grade
Classes
Stormwater Services Virtual Zoom
presentation about the
impacts of stormwater
runoff and marine debris
50 copies of
Wendell the Duck
Stormwater
booklet sheets
were distributed
4/27/2021 Lower Cape Fear
Earth Day
Celebration - virtual
this year
Virtual festival
attendees,
general public
Stormwater Services
(SWS is an annual
sponsor of the
Lower Cape Fear
Earth Day Festival)
Information about
stormwater and our major
sponsorship posted on
social media.
Tour of SWDS led by
intern and HOW Staff.
Online event.
6/15/2021 Pet Waste Signage
& Supplies for
Condo HOA
Wrightsville
Green HOA
Stormwater Services Provided signage and
supplies to HOA to help
address pet waste issue
on private property
1 pet waste sign,
40 pet waste
brochures, 20
yellow flags, 30
roll bags
distributed
6/17/2021 Pet Waste Signage
& Supplies for
Condo HOA
Aspire 349
Apartment
Complex, Ben
Smith- Mgr.
Stormwater Services Provided signage and
supplies to apartment
complex to help address
pet waste issue on
private property
4 pet waste signs,
50 pet waste
brochures, 5
posters, 25 yellow
flags, and Pet
Waste Manager's
Toolkit.

65

6/30/2021 Pet Waste Tidy Bag
Pet Dispensers
Pet owners Stormwater Services Supplement to signage
program. Compliance
officer distributes bag
dispensers to pet owners
to encourage pick up and
proper disposal
450+ tidy bag pet
waste dispensers
distributed to pet
owners throughout
the city
Ongoing Pet Waste Signage
for Compliance
Education Program
Pet Owners
General
Public
Stormwater Services Rotating Signage
program to address pet
waste problems and
complaints in the city.
Signs have city pet waste
ordinance and fine
information on them. This
year, we started giving
away pet waste bag
dispensers for free on
each sign.
Pet Waste
signage was
placed in different
city parks and
areas of town with
known problems
or complaints.
This year we
started adding free
roll bags to pet
waste signage.

BMP g. Maintain Hotline/Help line
The Stormwater Pollution Prevention Hotline was established per NPDES requirements in January 2010 to field calls from the
citizens, businesses, and city employees regarding illicit discharges and other reports of stormwater pollution. The hotline phone #
is 910-341-1020 and the web reporting address is www.wilmingtonnc.gov/reportstormwaterpollution. Hotline/web reports are routed
to the Stormwater Compliance Officers who track, investigate, and respond to all hotline reports. Compliance officers routinely
educate offenders in addition to issuing necessary fines/violations. Information regarding hotline reports is included in the
Enforcement Appendix section.
Ongoing Stormwater Hotline
advertised using
various outreach
methods: truck
magnets, signs,
billboards,
presentations, etc.
General public Stormwater Services Hotline poster, website,
GTV-8 and promo items
(pens, magnets, sticky
notes) are used to raise
awareness of the
Stormwater Hotline
28 calls were
placed to the
City’s Stormwater
hotline, 11 online
webform reports
were submitted,
and 641 direct
emails and 54
direct calls were
received by the
Compliance
Officers related to
stormwater
violations. The
nature of the
hotline reports are
found in the
Enforcement
section of the
Appendix.

BMP h. Implement Public Education & Outreach Program.
Media Advertising Campaigns
9/7/20-
11/22/20
WECT-TV6 website,
digital, mobile and
targeted ad
campaign
General public
Mobile, digital,
and web
viewers
Stormwater Services Yard Waste & SW
Animations PSA videos
and ads ran on digital,
mobile, and social media
outlets.

Ad Content: "This Storm
Season Remember…The
Drain is For Rain!"
Target Audience:
General public,
Landscapers,
Residents
Ads Served:
• 51,014 Pre-roll
video ads with
78.5% View Thru
Rate
• 249,615
Targeted display
banner ads
• 225,000 social
media posts (FB)
- 556,896
Facebook Ads
Served with 424
Total

66

Engagements
Total cost: $4750
9/14/20 -
10/11/20
Lamar Digital
Billboard
Advertising
Motorists
Pedestrians
Stormwater Services "This Storm Season,
Remember, the Drain is
Only for Rain"
Yard Debris pollution
digital billboards - 6100
Oleander Drive and 706
S. College Road &
Fountain Drive.
Target Audience:
General public
Reach: Motorists
Frequency:
Rotating billboard
shown for 8
seconds every
minute 24/7 using
rotating billboard
locations
Ads Served:
86,400
Total cost: $2000
4/1/21 -
5/31/21
Port City Daily/Local
Voice Wilmington
Radio &
Digital viewers
Stormwater Services Digital Advertising
Litter/Pandemic
Waste/Sea Turtle
Prevention Campaign

Leaderboard & Side
Banner on Homepage
and Local News with link
thru to Stormwater
Education webpage.
Also free ads posted on
Brews & Bites and Obits
sidebars
Target Audience:
General public
Reach: 239,575
impressions
Click Thrus: 192
Ads Served: 60
Unique Users
Annually:
4,966,597

Total cost: $2,200
3/15/21 -
5/15/21
WECT-TV6 website,
digital, mobile and
targeted ad
campaign
General public
Mobile, digital,
and web
viewers
Stormwater Services Litter/Pandemic
Waste/Sea Turtle PSA
and click thru ads ran on
digital, mobile, and social
media outlets.

Ad Content: "Remember
stormwater runoff is not
treated. Don't let our litter
become their problem"
Target Audience:
General public,
Landscapers,
Residents
Ads Served:
755,260 Total Ads
• 24,995 Pre-roll
video ads with
89.56% View Thru
Rate
• 184,786
Targeted display
banner ads
• 4,001 News App
Interstitial banners
• 541,478 social
media posts (Insta
& FB)
Total cost: $4750
4/5/21-5/5/21 Lamar Digital
Billboard
Advertising
Motorists
Pedestrians
Stormwater Services Litter/Turtle Billboard -
Don't Let Our Litter
Become Their Problem.

Two larger billboard
locations were used for
this campaign: Oleander
Drive and Market St.
Target Audience:
General public
Reach: Motorists
Frequency:
Rotating billboard
shown for 8
seconds every
minute 24/7 using
rotating billboard
locations
Ads Served:
86,400
Total cost: $4000

67

Ongoing Cape Fear Public
Utility Authority
(CFPUA)
General public
CFPUA
customer
service
visitors
Stormwater Services Provided CFPUA with
stormwater education
slides for their TV
stations at CFPUA
customer service
locations
CFPUA visitors
Ongoing City Offices Employees
Visitors to city
offices
Stormwater Services Stormwater educational
slides on city office's
Marlin Board streaming
TVs
Office employees
and visitors to
Streets,
Stormwater, Solid
Waste buildings
News Coverage
1/7/20 Port City Daily Online
newspaper
readers
Radio
listeners
Port City Daily staff Online newspaper article
- Don't Go Near the
Water: Concerning Fecal
Coliform Bacteria Levels
in Bradley Creek
Watershed Branch
920,000 unique
website users
annually
8/20/20 WWAY-TV3 TV News
Online
website
WWAY Reporter TV News, website, social
media outlets - One Year
After Dogs Die from
Poison Pond, Owner
Reacts to City-Installed
Warning Signs
Stats unavailable.
9/11/20 WECT-TV6 Online
newspaper
readers
Radio
listeners
WECT News
reporter
Print and online
newspaper article - Don't
Go Near the Water:
Concerning Fecal
Coliform Levels in
Bradley Creek
Watershed Branch
Stats:
-190, 390
households
served
-3.67 million
monthly page
views
-2.92 million page
views in mobile
news app
9/15/20 Port City Daily Online
newspaper
readers
Radio
listeners
Port City Daily staff Online newspaper article
- Unable to Reach
Agreement with
Homeowners, Wilmington
Eyes Eminent Domain for
Stormwater
Improvements
920,000 unique
website users
annually
9/15/20 Port City Daily Online
newspaper
readers
Radio
listeners
Port City Daily staff Online newspaper article
- NC State Looking at
Wilmington's Greenfield
Lake for State-Funded
'Floating Wetland Islands'
project
920,000 unique
website users
annually
9/30/20 WECT-TV6 Online
newspaper
readers
Radio
listeners
WECT News
reporter
Print and online
newspaper article -
Project to Alleviate
Flooding on a Busy
Wilmington Road Moves
Forward
Stats:
-190, 390
households
served
-3.67 million
monthly page
views
-2.92 million page
views in mobile
news app
Social Media

68

Ongoing Posts on City of
Wilmington, NC
Facebook and
Twitter pages
Social media
viewers/
subscribers
City
Communications
Social media posts about
stormwater runoff, water
pollution, capital projects,
etc.
35,000 Facebook
Followers
30,100 Instagram
Followers
36,700 Twitter
Followers
Distributing promos/giveaways
Ongoing Public Meetings,
events, displays,
city buildings
General public Stormwater Services Distribute items or leave
in strategic locations
where citizens will pick
them up
Promote
stormwater
messages via
freebies/promos at
events such as
Earth Day,
Canines for Clean
Water, etc.
Ongoing Canines for Clean
Water program at
community pet
events (ie Rabies
Clinics, Pawz in the
Park, etc)
Pet owners Stormwater Services
NHSWCD
Pet owners sign a pledge
to clean up after their pet
and submit a photo of
their pet to be featured
on our website
wilmingtonnc.gov/canines
Goodie bag
includes Canines
for Clean Water
pet bandana, pet
waste pick up
bags, pet waste
brochure, pens,
notepads
7/23/2020 Pet Waste Signage
for Condo HOA
Wrightsville
Green HOA
Stormwater Services Provided signage to HOA
to help address pet waste
issue on private property
4 pet waste signs
distributed
7/30/2020 UNCW Good
Neighbor Packets
UNCW Off
Campus
Students
Stormwater Services
Stormwater
Compliance
Pet Waste Brochure
included in student
welcome packets
300 pet waste
brochures
distributed
10/2/2020 Pet Waste
Educational Signs &
Supplies
The Quad
Apartment
Complex
Stormwater Services Pet Waste signage, flags,
brochures, and
management packet
distributed to apartment
managers
200 residents
105 educational
items distributed
10/10/2020 LakeFest at
Greenfield Lake
(socially-distanced
event due to Covid
19)
General public Stormwater Services Litter Prevention Display
and activity for attendees
with educational
stormwater giveaways
provided to each
participant.
30 attendees
80 educational
items distributed
2/24/2021 Cape Fear
Academy
1st Grade
Classes
Stormwater Services Virtual Zoom
presentation about the
impacts of stormwater
runoff and marine debris
50 copies of
Wendell the Duck
Stormwater
booklet sheets
were distributed
6/15/2021 Pet Waste Signage
& Supplies for
Condo HOA
Wrightsville
Green HOA
Stormwater Services Provided signage and
supplies to HOA to help
address pet waste issue
on private property
1 pet waste sign,
40 pet waste
brochures, 20
yellow flags, 30
roll bags
distributed
6/17/2021 Pet Waste Signage
& Supplies for
Condo HOA
Aspire 349
Apartment
Complex, Ben
Smith- Mgr.
Stormwater Services Provided signage and
supplies to apartment
complex to help address
pet waste issue on
private property
4 pet waste signs,
50 pet waste
brochures, 5
posters, 25 yellow
flags, and Pet
Waste Manager's
Toolkit.

69

4/25/2020 Lower Cape Fear
Earth Day
Celebration - virtual
this year
Virtual festival
attendees,
general public
Stormwater Services
(SWS is an annual
sponsor of the
Lower Cape Fear
Earth Day Festival)
Information about
stormwater and the
Stormwater
Demonstration Site.
Online
participants.
Fall 2020 &
Spring 2021
semesters
8th Grade
Enviroscape
Watershed
Presentations
All 8th Grade
NHC Schools
Science
Classes
Stormwater Services
CFRW
NHSWCD
ZOOM virtual
presentation about
watersheds, local water
quality issues, nonpoint
source pollution, BMPs
and stewardship. Virtual
presentations included
quiz/poll questions and
interactive chat with
students and teachers.
50 virtual
presentations
total:
Fall - 20 classes,
520 students
Spring - 30
classes, 732
students
Local Cable Access (GTV-8) & City's YouTube Channel
Airs on rotating
schedule
GTV-8 City's cable
access channel
stormwater
programming
(slides)
Cable access
TV viewers
Stormwater Services
GTV-8
Monthly rain barrel sale
to the public (updated
content to reflect
changes due to Covid-
19)
Inform public
about opportunity
to purchase
reduced cost rain
barrels every
month
Airs on rotating
schedule
GTV-8 City's cable
access channel
stormwater
programming
(slides)
Cable access
TV viewers
Stormwater Services
GTV-8
Re-route your downspout
slideshow
Inform public
about re-routing
downspouts to let
water soak in,
instead of runoff
Airs on rotating
schedule
GTV-8 City's cable
access channel
stormwater
programming (video
slideshow)
Cable access
TV viewers
Stormwater Services
GTV-8
Shortnose Sturgeon
narrated slideshow
Inform public
about the
Shortnose
Sturgeon, an
endangered
species in the
Cape Fear River
Airs on rotating
schedule
GTV-8 City's cable
access channel
stormwater
programming
(slides)
Cable access
TV viewers
Stormwater Services
GTV-8
Pet waste ordinance
slideshow, detailing
ordinance rules and fines
Inform public of
pet waste
ordinance
Airs on rotating
schedule
GTV-8 City's cable
access channel
stormwater
programming
(slides)
Cable access
TV viewers
Stormwater Services
GTV-8
Yard waste ordinance
slideshow, detailing
ordinance rules and fines
Inform public of
yard waste
ordinance
Airs on rotating
schedule
GTV-8 City's cable
access channel
stormwater
programming
(slides)
Cable access
TV viewers
Stormwater Services
GTV-8
Stormwater hotline info
slideshow
Inform public of
water
pollution/illicit
discharge and
hotline to report
pollution
Airs on rotating
schedule
GTV-8 City's cable
access channel
stormwater
programming
(slides)
Cable access
TV viewers
Stormwater Services
GTV-8
Stormwater Poster
slideshow
Inform public
about hotline, pet
waste, yard waste,
and where runoff
drains

70

Airs on rotating
schedule
GTV-8 City's cable
access channel
stormwater
programming (PSA)
Cable access
TV viewers
Stormwater Services
GTV-8
:30 second PSA Hard to Train a
Human Pet Waste
PSA 2014
(refilmed in Hi-
Def)
Airs on rotating
schedule
GTV-8 City's cable
access channel
stormwater
programming (PSA)
Cable access
TV viewers
Stormwater Services
GTV-8
:30 second PSA Yard Waste PSA
2014
Airs on rotating
schedule
GTV-8 City's cable
access channel
stormwater
programming (PSA)
Cable access
TV viewers
Stormwater Services
GTV-8
:30 second PSA Stormwater
Journey Animated
PSA
Airs on rotating
schedule
GTV-8 City's cable
access channel
stormwater
programming (PSA)
Cable access
TV viewers
Stormwater Services
GTV-8
:30 second PSA Not your Ashtray
PSA
Airs on rotating
schedule
GTV-8 City's cable
access channel
stormwater
programming (PSA)
Cable access
TV viewers
Stormwater Services
GTV-8
:15 second PSA and
:30 second PSA
Life of Litter PSA
CCTV & Marlin Information Boards
Airs on rotating
schedule
GTV-8 marlin
information boards
Employees Stormwater Services Stormwater education
slides
Rain Barrel slides
Stormwater Basics PSA
Employees and
visitors to city
offices
Airs on rotating
schedule
Cape Fear Public
Utility Authority
(CFPUA) CCTV
CFPUA
viewers
Stormwater Services Stormwater education
slides
Rain Barrel slides
Stormwater Basics PSA
Employees and
visitors to CFPUA
offices
Brochures, Displays, Signs, Welcome Packets, Pamphlets
Ongoing
Enforcement
Activity
Pet Waste Signage
Program & Tidy Bag
Dispenser
Giveaways
Pet owners Stormwater Services Continued program to
deploy educational pet
waste signage in city
easements where pet
owners walk their dogs
Signage deployed
to problem
locations
throughout the city
on rotating basis.
Pet waste bag
dispensers posted
with signs for the
public to take.
7/1/20 Stormwater
Services brochures
delivered to CFPUA
CFPUA /
Stormwater
customers
Stormwater Services Two CFPUA Offices
received updated
Stormwater Services
General brochures to
distribute to customers
2500 brochures
Newsletters
Spring 2021 Stormwater content
included in citywide
newsletter - The
Wilmington Current;
also separate
Stormwater Watch
newsletter created
from content
City residents
Special events
Stormwater Services
Communications
Div.
UNCW Annual Water
Quality Report including
articles about Clear Run
Branch project,
Compliance Officers,
HOW cistern
44,000+
newsletters mailed
to city residents
Grant Projects
CWMTF Grant
- Floating
Wetland
Treatment
Islands in
Greenfield Lake Stormwater
Services
NCSU
Grant to install
floating wetland
treatment islands in
Greenfield Lake
Collaboration with NCSU
and COW Stormwater
Services
Grant project
began in February
2021.

71

GFLake
(NCSU)
EPA 319
CFRW Grant
for Jumping
Run Branch
tributary of
Greenfield
Lake (Phase 1)
Greenfield Lake Stormwater
Services
CFRW
UNCW
Moffatt &
Nichol
Grant to enhance a
wet pond to filter
nutrients before
emptying into
Greenfield Lake
Collaboration with
CFRW, UNCW, Moffatt &
Nichol, and COW
Stormwater Services to
improve the Greenfield
Lake Watershed
Grant project
slated thru 2022.
EPA 319 Grant
for Bradley
Creek
Bradley Creek Stormwater
Services
NCSU
Grant to install
SCMs on private
property in the
Bradley Creek
Watershed
Collaboration with NCSU
and COW Stormwater
Services to implement
SCMs on private property
in conjunction with Clear
Run Branch Stormwater
Capital Improvement
Project
Grant project
began in March
2021.
Ongoing Watershed
restoration plan for
Hewletts and
Bradley Creeks,
now being
implemented by
Watershed
Coordinator
Hewletts &
Bradley Creek
watershed
residents and
businesses
Partners:
Stormwater Services
NC Coastal
Federation
Town of Wrightsville
Beach
Withers and
Ravenal
UNCW
Heal Our Waterways
program implementation.
See TMDL section of
report for status of
restoration plan
implementation
Watershed
restoration plan
implementation
began in 2013.
Program is called
Heal Our
Waterways
Participation on Boards/Committees
Quarterly
Meetings
NC of Natural &
Cultural Resources
appointment
NC Aquarium
at Fort Fisher
Stormwater
Education Program
Manager
Advisory Committee
Appointment
Reappointed to 3-
year term, thru
2022
Quarterly
Meetings
New Hanover
County Watershed
Roundtable
Local water
quality
agencies,
government,
NGOs
Stormwater
Education Program
Manager
Participation in
collaborative meeting
Ongoing
Employee Trainings
4/14/2021 IDDE/Stormwater
Presentation for
Downtown Code
Compliance
Code
Compliance
Compliance Officer Illicit Discharge
Detection & Elimination
Training
7 attendees
4/23/2021 Post Construction
Inspection
Presentation for
Engineering staff
Engineering
Staff
Compliance Officer Illicit Discharge
Detection & Elimination
Training
5 attendees
4/14/2021 IDDE/Stormwater
Presentation for
Downtown Code
Compliance
Engineering
Staff
Compliance Officer Illicit Discharge
Detection & Elimination
Training
8 attendees
Weekly Update Articles for City Council / City Staff / Media
Weekly Weekly Email
Update
City Council
Employees
Media
Various city staff Weekly update of city
news, events, projects,
etc.
Stormwater
information was
included in 17
Weekly Updates
Citizen Contacts
Ongoing/
regularly
Stormwater office
via phone, email or
walk-in
Citizens/
Businesses
Stormwater Services Responses to requests
for information, literature,
etc.
Information
provided to 15
citizens based on
the specific nature
of contact

LEGEND:
COW = City of Wilmington

72

NHSWCD = New Hanover Soil & Water Conservation District
CFPUA = Cape Fear Public Utility Authority
CFRW = =Cape Fear River Watch
WECT-TV6 = NBC station
CUMULUS = radio stations
NCSU = NC State University
FB = Facebook
HOW = Heal Our Waterways program

73

PUBLIC

OUTREACH & EDUCATION
INVOLVEMENT & PARTICIPATION

PLAN

Spring 2021

74

Table of Contents

Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................... 74
Plan Overview .............................................................................................................................. 75
Program Goals & Objectives ....................................................................................................... 77
Best Practices ............................................................................................................................... 79
Pollutant Summary Table ........................................................................................................... 80
Target Pollutant: FECAL COLIFORM BACTERIA ..................................................................... 87
Target Pollutant: NUTRIENTS .................................................................................................. 90
Target Pollutant: LITTER .......................................................................................................... 93
Target Pollutant: SEDIMENT .................................................................................................... 96
Target Pollutant: CHEMICALS/IMPROPER DISPOSAL OF WASTE ........................................ 99
Target Pollutant: VEHICLE POLLUTION ................................................................................ 102
Public Involvement & Participation: ........................................................................................ 105
References Cited or Utilized in Plan Development: ................................................................ 106

75

Plan Overview

Stormwater runoff is water from rain or irrigation that flows over land and into local creeks,
streams and waterways. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
stormwater runoff is the #1 source of surface water pollution.
Impervious surfaces are hard surfaces that rainwater cannot penetrate or naturally absorb, such as
driveways, streets, parking lots and rooftops. Instead, runoff flows over these surfaces picking up
pollutants such as pet waste bacteria, auto fluids, fertilizers, pesticides, litter, and yard debris and
carries them through the stormwater drainage system, directly into area waterways.
In Wilmington, stormwater runoff travels through a complex, interconnected system of storm
drains, pipes, ditches, creeks, and other natural and man-made features. In Wilmington, the storm
drainage system consists of approximately:
• 18,508 storm drains, manholes, and other structures
• 312 miles of pipes/culverts
• 218 miles of open drainage (ditches and channels)
• 46 acres of retention ponds, infiltration basins, and lakes including Randall Pond, Silver
Stream Pond, and Greenfield Lake
• 131 acres of stormwater BMPs such as Kerr Avenue Wetland, Park Avenue Bioretention
Area, Wade Wetland, Silver Stream Pond, Independence Pond, the Stormwater
Demonstration Site in Anne McCrary Park, etc.

This plan for Public Outreach/Education and Public Involvement/Participation is a component of
the City of Wilmington’s Stormwater Management Plan (hereinafter referred to as Stormwater
Plan), as required by the State of North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural
Resources Division of Water Quality Permit No. NCS000406. This federal stormwater permit
authorizes the City of Wilmington to discharge stormwater from a municipal separate storm sewer
system (MS4) to the receiving waters of the State within the Cape Fear River and White Oak
River Basins, under Environmental Protection Agency’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES) Program.

As required by the NPDES Permit, the City of Wilmington’s Stormwater Plan must detail the
City’s outreach and participation program for the five-year term of the stormwater permit. This
document serves as the official Public Outreach/Education and Public Involvement/Participation
Plan.

Public education and participation are essential tools to develop awareness, stewardship, and
behavior change for stormwater pollution issues within the City of Wilmington. By successfully
reaching out, creating awareness, and engaging citizens and businesses, we can reduce the impact
of stormwater pollution on our local surface waters, preserving them as a healthy and vital
resource for the Wilmington- area.

Since 1993, scientists at the UNC Wilmington Center for Marine Science Research have been
assessing the water quality of Wilmington’s major creeks and waterways within the city limits.
Approximately 22 sampling sites assess the water quality of ten of Wilmington’s creeks, as well as

76

Greenfield Lake, and the Cape Fear River. The findings are reported annually and serve as a
valuable tool to gauge changes in local water quality and guide our outreach/education and
involvement/participation efforts.

In addition, the City of Wilmington has established long-standing contractual relationships with
Cape Fear River Watch & New Hanover Soil & Water Conservation District, which enables us to
robustly satisfy our outreach/education and participation/involvement BMPs and program
goals/objectives.

It is important to note that this plan is a working document; therefore the goals, objectives,
pollutants, and target pollutants will change over time based on a variety of factors including
audience awareness, behavior trends, local water quality data, observational data, etc.

77

Program Goals & Objectives

Goals:
The City of Wilmington Stormwater Services implements a Public Education/Outreach and
Involvement/Participation Program based on community-wide issues with the overarching goals
to:
• Raise awareness and educate the community about the impacts of polluted stormwater
runoff on local waterways,
• Promote ongoing citizen participation by involving the public in community activities
aimed at reducing and preventing stormwater pollution.
These goals inform, educate, and involve the public so they can make informed decisions and take
responsibility for preventing polluted runoff from impacting area waterways.
As mentioned previously, the City of Wilmington has established long-standing contractual
relationships with two outside agencies which enables us to further engage and involve the public
in stormwater education and experiences.

Public Outreach/Education Objectives:
o Distribute educational handouts, publications, and digital and mobile materials to educate
the public and increase awareness about stormwater pollution, environmental impacts, and
solutions.
o Educate school children with established watershed education curriculum.
o Participate in community events to engage and educate the public about stormwater runoff.
o Include stormwater content in the citywide newsletter reaching approximately 44,000
residents and businesses.
o Develop mass media and social media campaigns to increase awareness of stormwater
pollution, water quality, and solutions for the general public.
o Maintain a robust stormwater website featuring educational content and ways for the
public to get involved in stormwater stewardship.

Public Participation/Involvement Objectives:
o Include the public in the development, implementation and review of the stormwater
management plan.
o Develop and promote interactive, hands-on programs that engage citizens in stormwater
stewardship and promote stormwater-friendly behaviors. These programs may be
contracted with outside agencies.
o Maintain a robust stormwater website featuring educational content and ways for the
public to get involved in stormwater stewardship.
o Promote the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Hotline and website form for the public to
report instances of stormwater pollution or to ask questions related to stormwater.

78

o Promote an online mechanism for public involvement for citizens to provide input on
stormwater issues and the stormwater program.

In addition, our program utilizes the following concepts as a basis for outreach/education
efforts and public involvement/participation programming:

▪ Social marketing (not to be confused with social media) is the backbone of outreach/education
programming. Social marketing involves using commercial marketing principles and
techniques to improve society by changing behaviors. Smokey the Bear and This is Your
Brain on Drugs, are well-known examples of nationwide social marketing campaigns.
▪ Awareness is the first step towards behavior change.
▪ Education involves audiences who are aware of the issues and can be given more in-depth
information to make informed decisions in their daily lives that positively impact stormwater.
More detailed education results in further behavior change.
▪ Our waterways are important for many reasons including quality of life, tourism, the economy,
recreation, aquatic habitat for many species, nurseries for seafood, to sustain life, etc.
▪ Polluted stormwater runoff flows directly into local waterways where it impacts water quality,
aquatic habitat, shellfish harvesting, recreational water activities and access, etc.
▪ Storm drains and drainage conveyances (i.e. swales, ditches, pipes, etc.) carry stormwater
directly to local waterways without any treatment. Only rain should go down the storm drain.
▪ Impervious surfaces increase the speed and volume of polluted stormwater runoff entering the
stormwater drainage system and flowing into waterways.
▪ More impervious surfaces = more degraded water quality.
▪ The quality and amount of polluted stormwater runoff entering local waterways can be
mitigated by installing appropriate BMPs (Best Management Practices).
BMPs are any action or on-the-ground practice that reduces the amount of stormwater and
pollution flowing into waterways. On-the-ground BMPs such as rain gardens, rain barrels,
grassy swales, pervious pavement, and re-routing downspouts allow stormwater runoff to soak
into the ground and be cleaned and filtered naturally. Actions are such things as picking up
after pets, not blowing yard waste into storm drains, and putting litter in the trash can.
▪ Plants, shrubs, trees, and other vegetation can greatly reduce stormwater pollution by
absorbing and filtering stormwater runoff.
▪ Everyone CAN and SHOULD make a difference to improve and protect our waterways.

79

Best Practices

The mission of City of Wilmington Stormwater Services is to provide comprehensive
management of the stormwater drainage system in order to protect our community and the
environment.
The City of Wilmington Stormwater Services strives to improve local water quality by creating
awareness of stormwater runoff issues ultimately resulting in behavior change through public
education, outreach, and community involvement. We also aim to involve the public by providing
opportunities for the community to get involved in hands-on stormwater activities and to provide
input and feedback on local stormwater issues.

Our program informs and creates awareness for citizens, businesses, and employees about the
stormwater drainage system, sources of stormwater pollution, the impacts of stormwater pollution
on local waterways. We also highly focus on solutions and practices we can do as individuals and
as a community to mitigate stormwater pollution through personal stewardship and community
action.

Our programming is based on the principles of social marketing, which is broadly defined as
“using marketing principles and techniques to communicate and influence a target audience to
voluntarily change a behavior for the benefit of individuals, groups, or society as a whole.” Social
marketing campaigns should appeal to the values of the target audience. Values can include saving
money, protecting public health, improving the environment, opening waters to shellfish
harvesting, preventing swimming advisories, being a good steward, etc.

Best practice for developing outreach/education and involvement/participation programming
follows the steps below as illustrated in the EPA’s Getting in Step: A Guide for Conducting
Watershed Outreach Programs, 3rd Edition:
1) Identify Driving Forces, Establish Goals, and (SMART) Objectives
2) Identify the Target Audience(s)
3) Create your Message
4) Package your Message (format)
5) Distribute your Message
6) Evaluate your Plan/Campaign

Once driving forces/goals/objectives are developed, identifying and analyzing the target audience
is one of the most critical steps for developing an outreach/education campaign. Target audiences
are commonly identified by demographics, activities, occupation, location, current knowledge,
attitudes and beliefs, behavior patterns, social/cultural behaviors, and education level.

It is also important to identify any potential barriers to adoption of stormwater-friendly behaviors
within the target audience. Barriers can be physical, economic, psychological, time,
inconvenience, lack of awareness, etc. For instance, some pet owners believe that leaving pet
waste on the ground is a natural fertilizer, without realizing the negative bacterial impacts on

80

water quality and public health. Barriers should be addressed by your programming so that they
are minimized or removed and the benefits to behavior change are positively conveyed.

Packaging/formatting and distributing your campaign messages are vital to achieving success with
your campaign. The target audience should always be considered when determining the
appropriate methods to reach them with campaign messages or efforts to involve them. Formats
and distribution methods range from mass media outlets for messaging to large events and field
trips to more intimate formats such as focus groups, neighborhood meetings, email newsletters,
and presentations. Other outreach formats include print materials, giveaways, websites, and social
media platforms.

For each of the identified pollutants in our plan, outreach messages will be created/adapted,
packaged, and distributed for each specific target audience at the time of outreach. It is also
important to form partnerships and community collaborations whenever possible, to jointly work
on outreach/education campaigns with other agencies that have similar goals or may already have
a similar program or message in place.

Evaluating your outreach/participation programs and activities is extremely important for
determining success, areas for improvement or adjustment, and future directions for your program.
“The success of outreach programs depends on how well they’re conceived, planned,
implemented, and adapted. Developing solid objectives and determining the appropriate target
audience at the start is key to measuring success.”
Building evaluation tools, like those suggested below, into your outreach campaign at the
beginning, along the way, and at the conclusion of programming, is important for adapting your
future programs so they are successful. There are several types of evaluation:
• Process Evaluations involve evaluating the campaign and components during
implementation (i.e. budget, schedules, resources, staffing, activities, costs, materials, etc.)
• Impact Evaluations help you determine if you’ve met or impacted the goals and objectives
of the program and measure the impact of the campaign on the target audience (i.e. pre-and
post surveys, Google Analytics, water quality improvement, social indicators/behavior
changes, increased awareness, changed attitudes, reduced barriers, etc.)
• Contextual Evaluations include indicators of how the campaign/program impacts the
community, economy, politics, perceptions, cultural factors, etc.
• Observation includes monitoring audiences for changes in observed behavior (i.e. pet
owners cleaning up after pets, lawn care companies are no longer blowing yard waste
into streets, etc.)
Pollutant Summary Table

Target Pollutant(s) Likely Source(s)/
Target Audience(s)
Responsible Party
for Implementation
Fecal Coliform Bacteria

• Sewer Overflows
• Illicit Discharges
• Residential
• Public Education & Outreach
• Watershed Coordinator
• IDDE / Stormwater Compliance

81

• Pet Owners, Pet Businesses
• Schools
• Bradley and Hewletts Creek
Private Property Owners
Nutrients / Yard Waste • Sewer Overflows
• Urbanization
• Residential
Commercial - Landscapers
Golf Courses Construction
Schools
• Public Education & Outreach
• Watershed Coordinator
• IDDE / Stormwater Compliance
• Construction Site Runoff Control
• Post-Construction Site Runoff
Control
• Good Housekeeping & Pollution
Prevention
Litter • Residential
• Commercial
• Schools
• Public Education & Outreach
• Watershed Coordinator
• Public Involvement/Participation
• IDDE / Stormwater Compliance
Sediment • Residential
• Commercial – Landscapers
Pressure Washers Cleaning
Businesses
• Municipal Operations
• Schools
• Construction Site Runoff Control
• IDDE / Stormwater Compliance
• Pollution Prevention & Good
Housekeeping
• Public Education & Outreach
• Watershed Coordinator
Chemicals / Improper
Disposal of Waste
• Residential
• Commercial – Landscapers
Pressure Washers Cleaning
Businesses Construction
• Municipal Operations
• Schools
• IDDE / Stormwater Compliance
• Pollution Prevention & Good
Housekeeping
• Construction Site Runoff Control
• Public Education & Outreach
Illicit Discharge • Residents
• Businesses
• Industry
• Municipal Operations
• IDDE / Stormwater Compliance
• Pollution Prevention & Good
Housekeeping
• Public Education & Outreach
Illegal dumping • Residents
• Businesses
• Industry
• Municipal Operations
• Public Education & Outreach
• IDDE / Stormwater Compliance
General non - point source
pollution
• Residential
• Commercial
• Schools
• Municipal Operations
• Public Education & Outreach
• IDDE / Stormwater Compliance
• Pollution Prevention & Good
Housekeeping

82

Overview Target Pollutants, Sources, and Audiences:
The target audiences and pollutants identified in the Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) are
directly addressed by this Public Education/Outreach and Involvement/Participation Plan.
In addition, the City of Wilmington’s Stormwater Compliance Officers are required to inform and
educate property owners and the general public about the hazards associated with illicit
discharges, illegal dumping and the improper disposal of waste, as well as the city’s pet waste and
yard waste regulations. The city has a robust program and many methods of reaching target
audiences most likely to have an impact on the stormwater system.

By identifying target audiences enables the city to develop programming for these audiences.
Programming includes direct classroom presentations, distributing educational materials to the
community content in the City’s public newsletter reaching 44,000 residents and businesses, mass
media/social media campaigns, participating in community events to directly engage with
residents and property owners, and hands-on activities such as watershed/creek cleanups, storm
drain marking, and the CreekWatchers monitoring program.

Our program addresses major pollutants that have an impact Wilmington’s waterways. These
pollutants come mainly from nonpoint sources, however, we may address commercial and
industrial sources of water pollution, particularly through our compliance and illicit discharge
program. Most major industry lies outside of the city limits.
The following descriptions identify pollutants, sources, and audiences that have or are likely to
have an impact on Wilmington’s waterways, including residential and commercial
business/industrial sources. Many of these identified pollutants, such as litter and yard waste, can
also negatively impact the proper functioning of the stormwater drainage system.

These particular pollutants, sources, and audiences were chosen based on several sources
including UNCW’s water quality monitoring data, the City of Wilmington Stormwater Services
maintenance activities, Stormwater Compliance Officers data on stormwater violations,
education/outreach program data, New Hanover Animal Control statistics, and the Statewide
Stormwater Survey of North Carolina residents, and 2019 SC Stormwater Survey, as well as
anecdotal community observations.

Pollutant: Fecal Coliform Bacteria / Pet Waste
Fecal coliform bacteria is the #1 pollution problem impacting Wilmington’s creeks and
waterways, as identified through annual water quality monitoring. Primary sources of this
bacterial pollution is pet waste. Occasional, episodic sewer spills also contribute to bacterial
pollution, but this is a less frequent source of contamination. Fecal bacterial pollution has resulted
in the direct closure of shellfish harvesting beds in tidal creeks throughout Wilmington.

UNCW has found a direct correlation between the amount of impervious surface coverage and the
degradation of Wilmington’s waterways. A watershed restoration plan is being implemented in
two high priority creeks to reduce fecal bacterial pollution and eventually reopen shellfish
harvesting in Bradley & Hewletts Creeks. Likely sources of fecal coliform pollution are pet
owners and pet-related businesses, as well as sanitary sewer system overflows under management
of the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority.

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Target Audience:
Domesticated dog waste is a major source of bacterial pollution, especially considering
their population (nearly 55,000 in New Hanover County), daily defecation rates, and
bacterial production. One gram of dog waste (weight of a paperclip) can contain nearly 23
million fecal bacteria. Feral and outdoor cats are also a problem for these same reasons;
steps should be taken to control their waste as well.
By right of ownership, a pet owner has the power to reduce pet waste-contaminated runoff
by cleaning up after their pet. Survey data reports both females and males should be
targeted, with a slightly higher % of males not picking up after pets. In addition to pet
owners, targeting pet-related businesses will educate those in the profession about best
practices for pet waste management and also serve as a conduit to deliver outreach
messages to the public.

Private property owners within the Bradley and Hewletts Creeks Watersheds are also able
to reduce the volume of stormwater that can transport fecal coliform to these creeks by
implementing best management practices (BMPs) on residential or commercial properties,
through the assistance of the Heal Our Waterways (HOW) Program.

Pollutant: Nutrients / Yard Waste
Nutrient pollution, caused by nitrogen and phosphorous inputs, have been identified as a pollutant
of concern for causing algal blooms, low dissolved oxygen levels, and resulting fish kills.
Greenfield Lake has experienced all of these issues in the past. Likely sources of nutrient
pollution include improper fertilization and/or improper yard waste disposal practices by
landscaping companies and residents. UNCW water quality data has indicated algal blooms in
local creeks, as well as low DO, and occasional fish kills.

Target Audience:
A direct link exists between nutrient pollution (nitrogen & phosphorous) and poor water
quality. This has been researched by UNCW particularly on Greenfield Lake.

The target audiences for this pollutant are overwhelmingly male and includes residents and
landscaping companies. The city’s Stormwater Compliance Officer routinely investigates
and responds to complaints of landscaping companies and/or homeowners blowing yard
debris into the street and storm drainage system.

Pollutant: Litter
Litter is ubiquitous and is especially problematic for the stormwater drainage system and for
wildlife and aquatic habitat. Litter often takes a long time to degrade. It can be mistaken by fish,
birds and other wildlife as a food source, resulting in them becoming sick or dying from ingestion.
Aquatic and terrestrial wildlife can also become entangled in litter and die as a result. Litter
introduces chemical pollutants and toxins into waterways, such as those contained in plastics and
cigarette butts.

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Litter is a stormwater issue associated with both commercial and residential areas.
Watershed/creek cleanups contracted with Cape Fear River Watch, as well as routine maintenance
by Stormwater crews, have identified litter as an ongoing problem in local watersheds. Likely
sources are pervasive across the city and include businesses, residences, students/schools,
motorists, construction sites, etc.

Target Audience:
Litter habits cannot be confined to a particular demographic in most cases. Therefore,
targeting the general public is advisable. However, focusing on 8th graders during annual
school presentations should be a priority, since they are in the developmental stage of
learning and forming opinions, and often report littering behaviors themselves during these
presentations.

The Stormwater Compliance Officer has dealt with numerous reports of illegal dumping
activity in the city. Although it is difficult to track down the offender, property owners are
held responsible for cleaning up illegal dump sites.

Pollutant: Sediment
Sediment is generated by the process of natural or accelerated erosion and consists of sand, dirt,
clay, or soil particles. While natural erosion contributes sediment to waterways, the majority of
sediment comes from areas where accelerated erosion has occurred, such as from land-disturbing
activities like construction. Stormwater runoff carries these soil particles to local creeks and
streams.

Sedimentation can clog the storm drain system or quickly fill in a waterbody potentially leading to
flooding. Sedimentation also impacts bottom-dwelling organisms by smothering fish eggs,
shellfish, coral and benthic (bottom-dwelling) plants. Sediment can cause water to become cloudy,
also known as turbidity. Turbidity impairs the photosynthesis of aquatic plants, as well as the
ability of aquatic animals to breathe, see prey/predators, and reproduce.

Sediment also serves as a “transport vehicle” for other pollutants such as nutrients, metals, and
bacteria. These pollutants attach to sediment particles and cause additional water quality issues
when the sediments are agitated (i.e. boating, hurricanes, wading, etc.) and can re-pollute the
water column. UNCW has documented incidents of this.

With the prevalence of fecal coliform bacteria and the propensity for sediment to transport it to
waterways, reducing sediment loading to creeks is beneficial for other pollutants of concern as
well.

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Target Audience:
The environmental consequences of sedimentation are not widely understood by citizens.
Sources of sediment in our surface waters are primarily the result of human-related land
disturbing activities. Construction, landscaping companies, and related industries may
significantly contribute to sediment loading in area waterways. Homeowners can also be a
source of sediment pollution for activities conducted on the homefront including blowing
sediment, exposed soil, and having poorly vegetated areas.

Likely sources of sediment pollution in our area are the result of rapid construction across
the city resulting in land-disturbing activities, erosion of creek banks, exposed soil in
yards, improper disposal practices, and blowing sediment into the storm drainage system
by residents and landscapers.

Pollutant: Chemicals / Improper Disposal of Waste
Chemicals are a pollutant focus for the damage they can cause to aquatic and terrestrial
environments. Stormwater runoff washes harmful chemicals such as pesticides, pressure washing
cleaners, vehicle washing soaps and other illicit discharges directly into our waterways. Most of
these pollutant sources contain toxic chemicals that can persist in the environment, causing
toxicity in humans and aquatic organisms.

Pesticides have been known to cause negative changes to amphibians and other aquatic organisms
and bio-accumulate up the entire food chain to humans.
Instances of chemical pollution via illicit discharges or improper use or disposal are often found
by pollution reports to our stormwater pollution hotline or detected via routine investigations by
the Stormwater Compliance Officer. In addition, restaurant grease traps have been found to be
non-functioning and contributing to water pollution by our Stormwater Compliance Officer.

Residents and business employees have reported the improper disposal of waste (i.e. motor oil and
other chemicals) to the city. Sources are pervasive and result from businesses and residents
illegally discharging chemicals or waste into the environment or using chemicals improperly
resulting in leaks and spills.

Target Audience:
All citizens have the potential to contribute chemical pollution by washing items outdoors
(i.e. driveways, homes, lawn furniture), by using pesticides and other chemicals on their
property, or by improperly disposing of waste.

Businesses that wash surfaces outdoors often use cleaning agents containing chemicals that
are harmful to our waterways. These chemicals are easily washed into the storm drainage
system from impervious surfaces. Restaurants may clean equipment or dump mop wash
water outdoors illegally. Grease traps have also been found to be non-functioning at area
restaurants by the Stormwater Compliance Officers. The discharge of any type of
wastewater or wash water into the storm drainage system is unlawful and carries associated
fines that are addressed by our Stormwater Compliance Officer(s).

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Pollutant: Illicit Discharges / Illegal Dumping
Any of the focus pollutants listed above could be a source of illicit discharge pollution or illegal
dumping. This can happen when pollutants are purposefully or inadvertently handled in a way
that results in pollution. For instance, pouring chemicals like pesticides or motor oil directly into a
storm drain; dumping trash in a specific location; or a business with a broken sewer line or grease
trap discharging into the environment.

Fortunately, the City of Wilmington employs two Compliance Officer that can detect and respond
to instances of illegal dumping, illicit discharge and improper disposal of waste.
These officers can enforce city stormwater ordinances with notices of violation and associated
fines. In addition, the city’s Stormwater Pollution Prevention Hotline and web reporting form
allows citizens, employees, and businesses to report instances of stormwater pollution or potential
pollution. Compliance Officers respond to hotline and webform reports.

All of the pollutants above are woven into outreach materials, events, workshops, website and
school presentations. The pollutants, sources, audiences, messages, etc. are described in more
depth in the pages that follow.

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Target Pollutant: FECAL COLIFORM BACTERIA

Fecal coliform bacteria are found in the guts and feces of domesticated and wild animals, as well
as in human waste. Stormwater runoff carries bacterial pollution from uncollected pet waste and
episodic sewer spills into local surface waters. Bacteria can contaminate waterways commonly
used for recreational activities such as swimming and fishing and commercial shellfish harvest.

Likely Residential Sources: Pet Owners, Stray/Feral/Wild Animals, Illicit Discharges
Likely Commercial/Industrial Sources: Sewer Spills, Illicit Discharges, Pet-related Businesses
(i.e. doggie daycare, doggie parks, boarding facilities, etc.), Multi-Family Apartment Complex
Management, Schools
Other: Bradley & Hewletts Creek Residents and Businesses

Background/Environmental Impacts:
Storm drains and drainage conveyances (i.e. ditches) carry polluted runoff directly to local
waterways without any treatment. Only rain should go down the storm drain.
Fecal coliform bacteria is the #1 pollution problem impacting Wilmington’s creeks and
waterways, as identified through annual water quality monitoring by UNC-Wilmington.
The primary source of bacterial pollution is canine and outdoor cat waste. Occasional sewer
spills also contribute to bacterial pollution, but this is an infrequent source of contamination.
Stormwater runoff washes bacteria, parasites, viruses, and nutrients from uncollected pet waste
directly into our waterways.
Fecal bacteria is an indicator bacteria. High levels of fecal coliform bacteria indicate the
potential for diseases and infections by other pathogens upon contact. Pathogens such as
roundworm, salmonellosis, toxoplasmosis, E. coli, and gastroenteritis can be contracted via
contaminated water. These bacteria can make humans, pets, and other animals sick as well.
Once in waterways, these pathogens can cause shellfish bed closures, recreational swimming
advisories, and impaired aquatic habitat.
There is a direct correlation between the amount of impervious surface coverage and fecal
coliform bacteria counts and degradation in Wilmington’s waterways, as cited by UNCW
research.

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Target Pollutant: FECAL COLIFORM BACTERIA (pet waste, sewer spills)
Key Outreach Messages:
• Outreach/Education messages should make the connection between uncollected pet waste to impaired water
quality and human health impacts.
• Domesticated dog waste is a major source of bacterial pollution considering their population in New Hanover
County (55,000 registered dogs in 2019), daily defecation rate, and bacterial production. Outdoor cats are also a
problem for these same reasons and steps should be taken to control their waste outdoors as well.
• Bacteria can cause diseases and infections in humans, pets, and wildlife.
• Debunk barriers and myths to cleaning up after pets (i.e. it’s not fertilizer, it’s okay to use a bag to pick it up with
your hand, pet waste is still a problem even if it’s in your own backyard, it can go in the landfill, etc.).
• Pet owners have a responsibility to clean up after pets and dispose of the waste properly, according to the city’s
pet waste ordinance.
- Fully and immediately clean up after pets on any public property. (Public property consists of streets,
sidewalks, right of ways, parks, plazas, stream banks, public accesses, pathways, drainageways, storm
drains, creeks, officially accepted easements, etc.)
- Carry a clean-up device (i.e. bag, scooper) at all times.
- Show the clean-up device to a Code Enforcement Official, if requested.
- Bag and dispose of pet waste in a closed trash receptacle or refuse container.
- Do not flush pet waste down the toilet (Cape Fear Public Utility Authority ordinance).
- Fines for non-compliance with the City’s pet waste ordinance are $250 per occur rence in the city
• Pet waste left on private property carries the same impact on water quality.
• Utilizing BMPs, such as rain gardens, rain barrels, and re -routing downspouts to grassy areas allows polluted
runoff and pet waste bacteria to soak into the grou nd and be cleaned and filtered naturally.
• Private property owners within the Bradley and Hewletts Creeks Watersheds can reduce the amount of
stormwater that carries fecal coliform to these creeks by implementing best management practices (BMPs) on
residential or commercial properties, through the assistance of the Heal Our Waterways (HOW) Program.
Target Audience Description
(Why Selected?) Suggested Outreach/Education Strategies
Pet Owners:

A pet owner has the power to reduce
bacteria in runoff by cleaning up after
their pet regularly.

Survey data shows both females and
males should be targeted, with a
slightly higher % of males not picking
up.
• Educate pet owners about the City’s pet waste ordinance using a
variety of methods
• Schools – include pet waste/bacterial education in Enviroscape 8th
Grade watershed education presentations
• Canines for Clean Water outreach program for pet owners to sign clean
water pledge
• Host Super Pooper Scooper photo booth to educate pet owners in a fun
and interactive way
• Participate in local pet-related events to provide direct education to pet
owners and distribute pet waste brochures and fliers
• Post the City’s Pet Waste Ordinance signs on the city’s pet waste
stations
• Pet Waste Rotating Signage Program – post pet waste educational and
ordinance signs in city parks, areas with customer driven complaints,
and in identified problem areas
• Implement media/social media campaigns to educate the public about
the dangers of uncollected pet waste, city’s ordinance, and simple
solutions
• Include information in the citywide newsletter
• Post outreach messages on stormwater website and GTV
• Compliance Officers - utilize enforcement actions and fines when
necessary for violations of the city’s pet waste ordinance
• Compliance Officers provide educational direct contact on site with the
pet owners

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• Encourage community participation in storm drain marking program
• Outreach/education and BMP installations to reduce bacteria via the
Heal Our Waterways Program
• Direct mail enforcement letter and pet waste brochure to
neighborhoods with complaints or identified pet waste problem
• Promote Stormwater Pollution Prevention Hotline & Web Reporting
Tool to the public

Pet-Related Businesses:

Targeting pet-related businesses will
educate those in the profession about
best practices for pet waste
management and also serve as a
conduit to deliver outreach messages to
the public.

Businesses include doggie daycares,
community bark parks, veterinarians,
kennels, pet stores, etc.

• Encourage businesses to be models for environmental stewardship (i.e.
install pet waste receptacles in parking lot islands, properly designed
kennel runs for waste removal, DNA testing and fines f or apartment
complex residents, etc.)
• Encourage businesses to post the pet waste educational poster and/or
materials for customers to view
• Pet Waste Rotating Signage Program – post pet waste educational and
ordinance signs in city parks, areas with customer driven complaints,
and in identified problem areas

Management / Residents of Multi-
Family Apartment Complexes –

Apartment complexes often experience
problems with uncollected pet waste on
their property due to the large number
of inhabitants on the property.

Management can play a key role in
educating their residents about pet
waste and implementing and enforcing
a pet waste management policy on their
property.
• Provide materials to educate the management of apartment complexes
on how to institute a pet waste policy, as well as provide a consistent
policy for enforcement
• Encourage management to be make it easy for their residents to
manage pet waste by installing pet waste receptacles around the
property
• Encourage management to post the pet waste education signage, large
format poster, or brochure in common areas for their residents to view
• Encourage DNA Testing Services for multi-family complexes to
manage pet waste and hold residents accountable.

Assessment & Evaluation
• Assess and evaluate local water quality utilizing the UNCW’s annual water quality monitoring report, specifically
fecal coliform counts in local waterways
• Track Stormwater Pollution Prevention Hotline calls
• Compliance Officer direct community outreach and assessment of compliance with city’s pet waste ordinance
• Track the # of pet waste educational signage and materials distributed to the community
• Periodically assess the habits of pet owners and pet industry professionals by:
- Direct observation of habits (collects vs. doesn’t collect, male vs female, where disposing of waste, etc.)
- Surveys of pet owners
- Count of reported complaints to Stormwater Hotline regarding pet waste violations

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Target Pollutant: NUTRIENTS

Nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, found in fertilizers and yard waste, enter our
waterways via stormwater runoff. High nutrient loads lead to algal blooms, low dissolved oxygen
levels, fish kills, and impaired aquatic habitat.

Likely Residential Sources: Homeowners, Landscaping Maintenance Companies
Likely Commercial/Industrial Sources: Growth/Urbanization, Landscaping Companies,
Schools

Background/Environmental Impacts:
Storm drains and drainage conveyances (i.e. ditches) carry polluted runoff directly to local
waterways without any treatment. Only rain should go down the storm drain!
Lawn fertilization and yard waste maintenance are two of the most widespread watershed
behaviors by both homeowners and landscaping companies.
Improper application or over-application of fertilizer results in the introduction of nutrients
into our waterways via stormwater runoff.
Yard waste (i.e. grass clippings, leaves, pine straw) are often improperly blown or directed
into streets, storm drains, and ditches leading to clogged stormwater conveyances resulting in
flooding of streets and property. Yard debris can also wash into waterways via blowing the
material into streets and conveyances and by irrigation methods. This organic matter then
washes through the stormwater drainage system introducing nutrients into waterways.
Fertilizers and yard waste that end up in local surface waters impact aquatic ecosystems
resulting in an overabundance of nutrients, a process known as eutrophication. Eutrophic water
conditions cause algal blooms. Once the excess nutrients are used up in a water body, the algae
will decompose using up the dissolved oxygen in the water, which aquatic organisms, like fish,
need to survive. This can cause fish kills.
Algal blooms produced from eutrophic conditions also prevent sunlight from reaching benthic
(bottom-dwelling) aquatic plants and organisms.
Some types of algal blooms are toxic to plants and animals, including humans. Domesticated
animals have passed by ingesting or coming in contact with water containing cyanobacteria.

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Target Pollutant: NUTRIENTS (fertilizers, yard waste)
Key Outreach Messages:
• A direct link exists between improper fertilizer application and yard waste disposal to poor water quality resulting
in algal blooms, fish kills, and habitat degradation.
• Grass cycle! Leave grass clippings on the lawn to reduce or eliminate the need for fertilizer. Clippings conserve
soil moisture and act as a natural fertilizer.
• Compost yard waste and use the resulting material in your landscape or garden.
• Contain yard waste using proper collection methods for City pickup.
• Before fertilizing, get an inexpensive (and sometimes free) soil test from NHC Cooperative Extension. It will tell
you the exact nutrients your lawn needs and could save you time and money spent on fertilizing.
• Design and maintain lawns with the goal of absorbing runoff. For instance, minimize the use of lawn area and
fertilizer by replacing with native trees, shrubs, plants and groundcover .
• Use alternatives to fertilizer such as organic fertilizer, compost, grass cycling, worm poop, etc.
• If fertilizer must be used, read the label and apply correctly. Improper application includes over -applying by
frequency or volume, applying the wrong type, applying before rain, and failure to clean excess fertilizer from
driveways and streets after application.
• Improper disposal of yard waste (leaves, grass clippings, pine straw) can clog the storm drainage system causing
flooding of streets and property.
• Landscaping company employees should be trained on proper fertilization and yard waste disposal practices.
• Residents and businesses should be aware of and abide by the City’s Yard Waste Ordinance:
- It is unlawful to rake, sweep, blow, wash, direct or place any debris into the storm drainage system. (The
storm drainage system consists of streets, storm drains, ditches, swales, creeks, lakes, rights-of-way,
dedicated easements, etc).
- Property owners shall keep all ditches, drains, swales, and other drainageways on their property free
from obstructions which would impede the flow of water.
- Fines for non-compliance with the City’s yard waste ordinance are $250 per occurrence.
• Utilizing BMPs, such as rain gardens, rain barrels, and re-routing downspouts to grassy areas allows polluted
runoff and nutrients to soak into the ground and be cleaned and filtered naturally.
Target Audience Description
(Why Selected?) Suggested Outreach Strategies
Residents:

Many citizens improperly apply fertilizer
and/or blow yard waste into the street or
storm drain.

This target audience is primarily male
residents that self-apply fertilizer and
manage yard waste disposal.

Also target households that hire
landscaping companies to maintain their
property.

• Educate citizens about nutrient pollution and the City’s yard waste
ordinance using a variety of methods
• Distribute fertilizer and yard waste education materials during
presentations and special events
• Schools – include nutrient education in Enviroscape 8th Grade
watershed education presentations
• Utilize mass media/social media campaigns to inform residents about
proper fertilization, proper yard waste disposal methods, grass
cycling, composting, collecting yard waste for pick-up, and the
improper disposal of yard waste
• Include information in the citywide newsletter
• Post outreach messages on stormwater website and GTV
• Encourage community participation in storm drain marking program
• Promote stormwater pollution prevention hotline
• Compliance Officers - utilize enforcement actions and fines when
necessary violations of the city’s pet waste ordinance
• Compliance Officers provide educational direct contact on site with
landscapers and property owners
• Encourage community participation in storm drain marking program

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• Promote Stormwater Pollution Prevention Hotline & Web Reporting
Tool to the public

Landscaping Companies:

Landscaping and turf maintenance
companies frequently use fertilizers and
produce a significant amount of yard
waste on a regular basis.

Employees in this field of work are often
male.
Outreach efforts should include Spanish
translation materials.

• Post outreach materials in English and Spanish on stormwater
website
• Distribute large format education poster about yard waste disposal to
landscaping companies, available in both English and Spanish, to
post for employees
• Emphasize proper staff training on practices like fertilization
application and yard waste disposal
• Compliance Officers - utilize enforcement actions and fines when
necessary violations of the city’s pet waste ordinance
• Compliance Officers provide educational direct contact on site with
landscapers and property owners

Assessment & Evaluation
• Assess and evaluate local water quality utilizing UNCW Center for Marine Science annual water quality
reporting, specifically nitrogen, phosphorus, BOD, and algal bloom frequencies and locations
• Track Stormwater Pollution Prevention Hotline calls
• Compliance Officer direct community outreach and assessment of compliance with city’s pet waste ordinance
• Periodically assess the habits of homeowners and landscape industry professionals by:
o Direct observation of the fertilizer application habits of homeowners and landscape industry
o Surveys of the fertilizer application habits of homeowners and landscape industry professionals

93

Target Pollutant: LITTER

Litter is generated as a result of improperly or carelessly discarded plastics, food wrappers,
cigarette butts, etc. that wash into waterways via the storm drainage system. Litter impacts
aquatic and terrestrial habitat, wildlife, and water quality. Plastic pollution is ubiquitous and is
especially problematic for the drainage system and for wildlife and aquatic organisms. Litter often
takes a long time to break down, if at all.

Likely Residential Sources: Residents/General Public, Motorists, Smokers, Youth
Likely Commercial/Industrial Sources: Restaurants, Retail Centers, Construction Sites,
Schools

Background/Environmental Impacts:
Storm drains and drainage conveyances (i.e. ditches) carry polluted runoff directly to local
waterways without any treatment. Only rain should go down the storm drain!
Litter is carried by stormwater runoff into the drainage system where it can clog storm drains
and drainage conveyances and cause flooding on streets and property.
Litter that washes into local surface waters can be mistaken by fish, birds and other wildlife as
food and become sick or die from ingesting it. Wildlife also become entangled in litter and die
as a result.
Litter introduces chemical pollutants into waterways, such as those contained in plastics and
cigarette butts.
Cigarette butts are a major source of litter and contain many dangerous toxins that can leach
into waterways. Butt filters often contain plastic fibers that don’t degrade.
Natural litter, like apple cores, banana peels, and fast-food waste can attract wildlife to
roadways and endanger their survival.
Littered creates the “Broken Window” effect. Littered areas beget litter, while areas that are
cleaner tend to repel litter.

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Target Pollutant: LITTER (plastics, cigarette butts, illegal dumping, etc.)
Key Outreach Messages:
• A direct link exists between wildlife impacts, habitat destruction, and poor water quality as a result of littering.
• Flooding of streets and property can often be attributed to the accumulation of litter in the drainage system.
• Wildlife, fish, and birds often mistake litter for food or become entangled in it, resulting in their demise.
• There are large areas of trash in our oceans, called Garbage Patches.
• Cigarette butts leach chemicals such as cadmium, lead, and arsenic into the aquatic environment within one hour
of contact with water.
• Cigarette butts and plastics are the most littered items in the world.
• Small plastic pieces are often found in fish spec ies that humans eat.
• Litter attracts wildlife to the side of the road where they are likely to get hit by oncoming vehicles.
• The majority of litter found on beaches comes from inland locations.
• Littering and illegal dumping is against NC law and carries associated fines.
• Everyone has a personal responsibility for making sure that trash is disposed of properly, so it doesn’t become
litter.

Target Audience Description
(Why Selected?) Suggested Outreach Strategies
General Public & Youth:

Litter habits cannot be confined to a
particular demographic in most cases.
Therefore, targeting the general public is
advisable.

However, focusing on 8th graders during
annual school presentations should be a
priority, since they are in the
developmental stage of thinking and
forming opinions. Informal class polls
conducted over the years, have indicated
that most 8th graders admit to having
littered at some point in their lives.
• Promote the impacts of littering on local waterways and wildlife.
Specifically explain the negative impacts on wildlife using local
species (i.e. plastic bags look like jellyfish to sea turtles).
• Distribute litter education materials during presentations and special
events
• Schools – include litter education in Enviroscape 8th Grade
watershed education presentations
• Utilize mass media/social media campaigns to inform residents about
the litter problem and solutions
• Post outreach messages on stormwater website and GTV
• Emphasize easy solutions to littering - using trash or recycling
receptacles
• Promote the 5 R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Refuse, Repurpose
• Promote North Carolina’s Swat-a-Litterbug Program
• Include information in the citywide newsletter
• Encourage community participation in storm drain marking program
• Promote Stormwater Pollution Prevention Hotline & Web Reporting
Tool to the public
• Compliance Officers - utilize enforcement actions and fines when
necessary
• Compliance Officers provide educational direct contact on site with
landscapers, developers, and property owners

Smokers:

Cigarette butts are one of the largest
environmental litter problems, both
locally and worldwide. Target both male
and female smokers.
• Display signs encouraging proper disposal of cigarette butts in public
areas (i.e. Wave Transit buses)
• Post outreach materials on stormwater website and GTV
• Distribute pocket ashtrays at public events

Motorists and Pedestrians:
Along roadways, motorists (52%) and
pedestrians (23%) are the largest
contributors of litter. Target males and
females.
• Educate citizens about North Carolina’s Swat-A-Litterbug Program
• Remind motorists about the proper disposal of trash by displaying
educational signs on public transportation vehicles (i.e. Wave Transit
buses)
• Involve authorities in holding offenders responsible

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• Publicize local cleanup events and the type of litter they’re finding

Assessment & Evaluation
• Conduct an informal poll before 8th grade presentations to gauge how many students litter.
• Have Stormwater Maintenance crews continually provide field observations of problem litter areas for clean -up
by community service workers or Cape Fear River Watch.
• Periodically assess the litter disposal habits of Wilmington residents by:
- Direct observation of habits
- Surveys of habits
- Count reported violations to Stormwater Hotline

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Target Pollutant: SEDIMENT

Sediment is generated by the process of natural or accelerated erosion and consists of sand, dirt,
clay, or soil particles. Sedimentation occurs when stormwater runoff carries sediment from a
disturbed land area or eroding stream bank to surface waters. Sediment can clog the stormwater
drainage system, can quickly fill in a waterbody, and cause turbidity and problems for aquatic
life.

Likely Residential Sources: Residential Yards/Driveways
Likely Commercial/Industrial Sources: Landscapers, Construction Sites

Background/Environmental Impacts:
Storm drains and drainage conveyances (i.e. ditches) carry polluted runoff directly to local
waterways without any treatment. Only rain should go down the storm drain!
Both natural and accelerated erosion produce sediment. Natural erosion is the process of
weathering that forms soil. Accelerated erosion is a result of land-disturbing activities by
humans that loosen topsoil, making the land more prone to erode quickly (i.e. construction-
related activities).
While natural erosion contributes sediment to waterways, the majority of sediment comes from
areas where accelerated erosion has occurred, such as with construction sites. Stormwater
runoff carries soil particles from a disturbed area of land to local creeks and streams.
Excessive sedimentation can fill in a water body or clog the storm drainage system, leading to
flooding. Sedimentation also impacts bottom-dwelling organisms by smothering fish eggs,
shellfish, coral and benthic (bottom-dwelling) plants.
Sediment can cause a water to become cloudy, also known as turbidity. Turbidity impairs the
photosynthesis of aquatic plants, as well as the ability of aquatic animals to breathe, see
prey/predators, and reproduce.
Sediment serves as a “transport vehicle” for other pollutants such as nutrients, metals, and
bacteria. These pollutants attach to sediment particles and cause additional water quality issues
when the sediment gets stirred up (i.e. boating, hurricanes, etc) and re-pollutes the water.
Other sources of sediment include poorly vegetated areas in a yard or landscape.

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Target Pollutant: SEDIMENT (sand, dirt, soil particles, exposed soil)
Key Outreach Messages:
• There is a direct link between sedimentation and poor water quality and impacts to aquatic ecosystems and
habitat.
• Any land-disturbing activity including gardening, tilling, construction, etc. can produce sediment which can lead
to flooding of streets and property when the sediment is carried into the storm drainage system via stormwater
runoff.
• Mulch should be used to cover exposed soil and prevent it from washing away.
• Sediment should be collected off paved surfaces and not rinsed or blown into the stormwater drainage system.
• Residents can plant groundcover, shrubs, and trees to hold soil in place and prevent erosion. Installing native
plants is preferred because they don’t need fertilizers and pesticides. For properties with sandy soils, mix organic
matter (i.e. compost) in with the sand to allow plants to grow better.
• Lack of vegetation along waterfront property and streambanks can produce significant erosion. Waterfront
property owners should be encouraged to plant vegetative buffers and living shorelines to stabilize erosion.
• Developers should follow all sedimentation and construction site laws and practices.
• Construction site violations can be reported to the State Hotline: 1-866-STOP-MUD
• Utilizing BMPs, such as rain gardens, rain barrels, and re-routing downspouts to grassy areas, allows polluted
runoff to soak into the ground and be cleaned and filtered naturally.

Target Audience Description
(Why Selected?) Suggested Outreach Strategies
General Public/Homeowners:

The environmental consequences of
sedimentation are not widely understood
by citizens. Sources of sediment in our
surface waters are primarily the result of
human-related activities that disturb the
land. Residential properties may have
exposed soil or poorly vegetated areas.
Target both males and females.
• Promote the impacts of sedimentation on local waterways using a
variety of outreach methods
• Distribute education materials during presentations and special
events
• Schools – include sediment education in Enviroscape 8th Grade
watershed education presentations
• Utilize mass media/social media campaigns to inform residents
about the sedimentation issues
• During HOA or community presentations, encourage homeowners
to plant vegetation or apply mulch to anchor soil in place and
prevent erosion
• Post outreach messages on stormwater website and GTV
• Encourage waterfront property owners to plant vegetative buffers or
living shorelines.
• The public should be made aware of the City’s yard waste ordinance
which also addresses sediment
• Include information in the citywide newsletter
• Encourage community participation in storm drain marking program
• Utilize enforcement actions when necessary for violators of yard
waste ordinance (sediment) ordinance
• Promote the State’s STOP MUD Hotline: 1-866-STOP-MUD
• Promote Stormwater Pollution Prevention Hotline & Web
Reporting Tool to the public

Construction, Landscape Professionals:
Developers, landscapers, and related
industries may significantly contribute to
sediment loading in local waterways.
Employees in this field of work are often
male.
• Promote compliance with the land development code and
sedimentation and erosion control laws
• Post outreach materials on stormwater website and GTV

98

• Construction workers and landscapers should be aware of the City’s
yard waste ordinance which prohibits sediment from being blown or
making its way into streets and storm drains.
• Provide landscaping companies with the yard waste poster that
addresses sediment/debris to post in employee gathering areas
Assessment & Evaluation
• Assess and evaluate local water quality utilizing UNCW Center for Marine Science annual water quality
reporting, specifically Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and Turbidity
• Track Stormwater Pollution Prevention Hotline calls

99

Target Pollutant: CHEMICALS/IMPROPER DISPOSAL OF WASTE

Stormwater runoff washes harmful chemicals found in pesticides, pressure washing cleaners,
vehicle washing soaps, and other illicit discharges directly into our waterways. All of these
pollutants can contain toxic chemicals that can persist in the environment, causing toxicity in
humans and aquatic organisms. In addition, these pollutants may be illegally dumped, poured or
improperly disposed of which may cause entry into area waterways via the stormwater drainage
system. Nothing but clean water, devoid of chemicals, should enter the drainage system.

Likely Residential Sources: Homeowners, Gardening, Vehicle/Boat Owners, etc.
Likely Commercial/Industrial Sources: Pressure Washers, Vehicle Washing Businesses,
Turf/Landscape Professionals, Restaurants, Construction, etc.

Background/Environmental Impacts:
• Storm drains and drainage conveyances (i.e. ditches) carry polluted runoff directly to local
waterways without any treatment. Only rain should go down the storm drain!
• An illicit discharge (ID) is any unlawful disposal, placement, emptying, dumping, spillage,
leakage, pumping, pouring, emission, or other discharge of any substance other than stormwater
that enters the stormwater drainage system.
• The City’s Illicit Discharge ordinance specifies that it is unlawful to dispose of or discharge any
substance other than stormwater into the storm drainage system. Fines are up to $10,000 per
offense.
• Chemicals and cleaning agents used to wash cars, boats, driveways and other impervious
surfaces are carried into storm drains and eventually into our waterways. These chemicals can
destroy the external mucus layer on fish that protects them from bacteria and parasitic
infections.
• Commonly used organophosphate pesticides are present in stormwater runoff and are toxic to
aquatic life in receiving water bodies.
• Pesticides bio-accumulate up the food chain and are harmful to beneficial fish, insects, pets,
wildlife, and humans, as well as entire aquatic ecosystems.

100

Target Pollutant: CHEMICALS/WASTE DISPOSAL (Pesticides, Pressure Washing, HHW, etc.)
Key Outreach Messages:
• There is a direct link between the use of chemicals on land (i.e. pesticides, pressure washing cleaners, etc.) and
water quality and habitat impacts (i.e. frogs with six legs).
• Promote info on how to properly dispose of chemicals and other household chemicals, including promotion of
Household Hazardous Waste Collection locations and events.
• Pressure washing surfaces, equipment, and vehicles using soaps or cleaning agents of any toxicity level can
negatively impact water quality and aquatic habitat. These surfaces can only be washed legally with plain, clear
water, unless there is an established, effective, legal, wastewater recapture system in place.
• If you must apply pesticides, read the labels and apply the correct amounts. Spot treat, and do not apply before
rain.
• Alternatively, install native plants which do not require pesticides or fertilizers.
• Use alternatives to pesticides such as ladybugs, weeding by hand, and organic pesticides.
• Suggest less toxic, environmentally friendly alternatives to pesticides and other chemicals.
• The City’s Illicit Discharge ordinance specifies that it is unlawful to dispose of or discharge any substance other
than stormwater into the storm drainage system. Fines are up to $10,000 per offense.
- Anyone found responsible for causing a polluting substance to enter the storm drainage system will be
subject to a fine up to $10,000 per violation.
- The city will have the authority to enter property to inspect for illicit discharges, and if found, to require
that they be disconnected and permanently closed.
- Commercial businesses will not be permitted to wash vehicles, equipment, or any other surfaces with any
soaps or solvents or dislodge any other substance that may be harmful to surface waters, unless the
resulting wastewater is diverted to the sanitary sewer system.
- Restaurants will not be permitted to discharge any wastewater outside.
- Dumpster lids must be kept closed and dumpster plugs in place.
- Swimming pool water must be de-chlorinated before discharging.
- Floor drains in old buildings, connected to the storm drainage system, will be required to be
disconnected and permanently closed.
- Residents and businesses will be expected to prevent harmful substances from running off into the storm
drainage system.
• Fines for non-compliance with the City’s illicit discharge ordinance are up to $10,000 per offense.
• Utilizing BMPs, such as rain gardens, rain barrels, and re-routing downspouts to grassy areas allows polluted
runoff to soak into the ground and be cleaned and filtered naturally.
Target Audience Description
(Why Selected?) Suggested Outreach Strategies
Homeowners / Residents:

All citizens have the potential to contribute
chemical pollution by using or disposing of
chemicals improperly.

Target a higher % of males.
• Educate citizens about the City’s Illicit Discharge ordinance
and fines using a variety of outreach methods
• Distribute education materials during presentations and
special events
• Schools – include pesticides education in Enviroscape 8th
Grade watershed education presentations
• Promote Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events and
permanent locations
• Utilize mass media/social media campaigns to inform
residents about the chemicals and proper disposal practices
• Post outreach materials on stormwater website and GTV
• Include information in the citywide newsletter
• Distribute educational info during special events
• Enviroscape 8th Grade watershed education program
• Encourage community participation in storm drain marking
program
• Utilize enforcement actions when necessary for violators of
Illicit Discharge ordinance (i.e. fines)

101

• Promote Stormwater Pollution Prevention Hotline & Web
Reporting Tool to the public

Pressure Washers, Mobile Detailers,
Equipment Cleaning Businesses:

Businesses that wash surfaces often use cleaning
agents containing chemicals that are harmful to
our waterways. These chemicals can be easily
washed into the storm drainage system. Target a
higher % of males.
• Compliance Officers inform commercial businesses about the
city’s Illicit Discharge Ordinance, associated fines, and paths
to compliance
• Post outreach materials on stormwater website and GTV

Landscape/Turf Maintenance Professionals:

Landscape/turf maintenance professionals
frequently utilize pesticides in the maintenance of
the landscape. Employees in this field are often
male.

• Emphasize use of pesticides as a last resort; promote
alternatives
• Promote BMP & Rain Garden certification programs
• Promote the installation of native plants to reduce pesticide use
Restaurants:

Restaurants often clean equipment or dump mop
wash water outdoors. The discharge of any type of
wastewater into the storm drainage system is
unlawful.
• Distribute educational info and posters to local restaurants
• Make available the “Business Friendly Checklist” so
businesses can see if they’re utilizing stormwater-friendly
practices
• Encourage employee training on proper wash water disposal
practices, proper chemical use and disposal, grease traps, etc.
• Mark storm drains near restaurants
• Give presentation to restaurant association

Assessment & Evaluation
• Conduct a survey of restaurants to gauge compliance with local stormwater ordinances and stormwater -friendly
practices
• Assess and evaluate local water quality utilizing UNCW Center for Marine Science annual water quality
reporting, specifically focusing on illicit discharge tested locations
• Periodically assess the pesticide application habits of homeowners and landscape professionals by:
- Direct observation of pesticide application habits of homeowners and landscape professionals
- Surveys of pesticide application habits of homeowners and landscape professionals

102

Target Pollutant: VEHICLE POLLUTION

Vehicle pollution comes from the intentional or unintentional disposal of vehicle fluids into our
waterways, some of which washes off impervious surfaces into the drainage system or is disposed
of improperly. Other avenues of contamination are from washing vehicles and boats with
soaps/detergents over impervious surfaces. These fluids are insoluble and can easily contaminate
water resources, as well as poison fish and other aquatic organisms.

Likely Residential Sources: Motorists, Backyard Mechanics
Likely Commercial/Industrial Sources: Vehicle Maintenance Repair Shops, Mobile Detailers,
Vehicle Dealership Lots

Background/Environmental Impacts:
Storm drains and drainage conveyances (i.e. ditches) carry polluted runoff directly to local
waterways without any treatment. Only rain should go down the storm drain!
Vehicles, including boats, have seals and gaskets that have the potential to leak a variety of
fluids, such as oil and grease. An accumulation of these fluids on roadways and parking lots
gets carried away by stormwater runoff which drains into waterways.
Once vehicle pollution enters a body of water, it disperses quickly and forms a film on the
water’s surface, making oxygen transfer from the surface to the bottom difficult, as well as
being toxic to fish and aquatic organisms.
A common source of illegal dumping or draining of vehicle fluids is found to be the backyard
mechanic.
1 quart of motor oil can contaminate 250,000 gallons of water.
It is a common watershed behavior to wash vehicles on impervious (hard) surfaces
Washing vehicles or boats can cause nutrients, heavy metals, hydrocarbons and grime to wash
down the street and into waterways.
Soaps and detergents used to wash vehicles or boats are carried into storm drains and
eventually into our waterways. These chemicals can destroy the external mucus layer on fish
that protects them from bacteria and parasitic infections.
Vehicle washers are typically unaware of the content of washing soaps/detergents, why they
shouldn’t wash on impervious surfaces, and their impact on water quality.
Wash vehicles, boats, or equipment on grassy areas that can absorb and naturally filter
chemicals and wash water. This does not harm the lawn.
Utilize commercial car washes because they recycle and/or treat their water onsite or discharge
to the wastewater treatment system.

103

Target Pollutant: VEHICLE POLLUTION (vehicle/boat fluids, washing)
Key Outreach Messages:
• There is a direct link between the introduction of vehicle fluids and water quality degradation, habitat destruction
and plant/animal death.
• All vehicles, machinery, and equipment that utilize vehicle fluids (i.e. oil, grease) for operation have the potential
to leak and contribute to water pollution.
• Keep vehicles tuned up, check and repair leaks, check tire pressure, and r ecycle or properly dispose of vehicle
fluids and batteries.
• Properly clean up vehicle leaks and fluid spills using an absorbent material (i.e. kitty litter) to soak up the spill.
Sweep up the contaminated absorbent, put in a sealed bag, and place in the trash.
• Driving less, carpooling or using alternative transportation are some of the best ways to prevent vehicle pollution.
• On-site storage (i.e. fluids, batteries) has the potential to leak during filling, emptying, storage unit failure, or
vandalism.
• Washing vehicles or boats using soaps/detergents can negatively affect water quality with chemicals, debris, or
sediment that is washed off of vehicles, driveways, parking lots, etc.
• Wash vehicles on the grass using a phosphate-free detergent or use a commercial car wash which recycles and
treats wash water, or set up a self-containment and capture system for the wash water.
• If you must wash on pavement, use plain, clear water and no chemicals.
• Commercial businesses should be aware of the City’s Illicit Disc harge ordinance specifies that it is unlawful to
dispose of or discharge any substance other than stormwater into the storm drainage system. Fines are up to
$10,000 per offense.
• Residential car washing is exempted from enforcement; however the same principles are part of
outreach/education efforts.
Target Audience Description
(Why Selected?) Suggested Outreach Strategies
Motorists, Backyard Mechanics, Vehicle
Maintenance & Repair Shops, Auto Parts
Stores, Boat/Vehicle Detailers

All citizens of driving age have the potential to
contribute to vehicle pollution by nature of
driving a vehicle or washing it. For backyard
dumping of auto fluids, target males.

Businesses that sell vehicle and boat parts or
perform maintenance or repair are likely to deal
with vehicle fluids on a regular basis. Most
employees are male.

Vehicle washing businesses often use cleaning
agents containing chemicals that are harmful to
our waterways and aquatic habitat. These
chemicals, along with other vehicle fluids, can
be easily washed into the storm drainage system.
Employees are typically male.
• Educate citizens about vehicle pollution and the City’s Illicit
Discharge ordinance and fines using a variety of outreach
methods
• Distribute education materials during presentations and special
events
• Distribute Auto/Boat Care educational poster to businesses for
employees to learn about proper vehicle maintenance, fluid
storage and disposal methods, and the City’s Illicit Discharge
ordinance
• Schools – include vehicle pollution education in Enviroscape
8th Grade watershed education presentations
• Utilize mass media/social media campaigns to inform
residents about the vehicle pollution issues
• Post outreach messages on stormwater website and GTV
• Include information in the citywide newsletter
• Encourage community participation in storm drain marking
program
• Utilize enforcement actions when necessary for violators of
illicit discharge ordinance
• Promote Stormwater Pollution Prevention Hotline & Web
Reporting Tool to the public

Assessment & Evaluation
• Assess and evaluate local water quality utilizing UNCW Center for Marine Science annual water quality reporting

104

• Track Stormwater Pollution Prevention Hotline calls
• Periodically assess vehicle fluid disposal habits and vehicle washing of Wilmington residents and businesses
- Direct observation of habits
- Reported violations pertaining to chemical leaks or disposal habits to Stormwater Hotline
- Surveys of habits
• Assess and evaluate local water quality utilizing UNCW Center for Marine Science annual water quality
monitoring

105

Public Involvement & Participation:

"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand;
and we will understand only what we are taught." (Baba Dioum, 1968).

Public participation and involvement in the stormwater program creates awareness, understanding,
and stewardship in citizens. Getting involved in hands-on stewardship is the best way to gain a
better understanding of how stormwater impacts our world, the environment and human health.

Our program involves contracting with two outside agencies to help fulfill Public involvement and
participation activities in the community. These agencies are:

▪ New Hanover Soil & Water Conservation District (NHSWCD)
▪ Cape Fear River Watch (CFRW)

Both agencies are responsible for recruiting and engaging volunteers and the community at large
in the following activities:

▪ Storm Drain Marking
▪ Creek/Watershed Cleanups
▪ CreekWatcher Monitoring Program
▪ Canines for Clean Water

These agencies also provide reports for each program as well as quarterly reports of all activities
conducted.

The city also engages the community through meetings, mailers, and doorhangers during planning
and construction of capital and in-house stormwater projects. Citizens can attend public meetings,
request one-on-one meetings, discuss projects with stormwater staff by phone or email, and
provide other input during the process.

In addition, the city has developed and heavily promoted a Stormwater Pollution Prevention
Hotline and web reporting form, for citizens, employees, and businesses to report stormwater
pollution in the community. Reports can be made anonymously.

Citizens can also get involved with the city’s Heal Our Waterways Program, which is the effort to
implement the Bradley & Hewletts Watershed Restoration Plan. This plan relies on private
property owners to engage and be willing to install Best Management Practices (BMPs), often
with full-funding, in order to reduce the amount of bacterial pollution affecting Bradley &
Hewletts Creek. Public participation is the crux of this program.

106

References Cited or Utilized in Plan Development:

Michael A. Mallin, Matthew R. McIver, Nicholas D. Iraola, and Amy E. Grogan. ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY OF WILMINGTON AND NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATERSHEDS: The City of
Wilmington Watersheds Project. Water quality monitoring conducted by UNCW with reports dating back
to 1998. https://uncw.edu/cms/aelab/research.html

Mallin.M. Wading in Waste. Scientific American. June 2006.
https://uncw.edu/cms/aelab/reports%20and%20publications/2006/2006,sci%20amer,wading%20in%20waste.pdf
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/253372408_Effect_of_Human_Development_on_Bacterial_Water_Quality_in_Coastal_Watersheds

“South Carolina Residents Awareness of and Attitudes Toward Stormwater Pollution”. Conducted for
Clemson Extension’s Carolina Clear Program by Responsive Management 2019.

Environmental Protection Agency. “EnviroAtlas 2021”. https://enviroatlas.epa.gov/enviroatlas/interactivemap/

Bartlett, Chrystal. Stormwater Knowledge, Attitude, and Behaviors: a 2005 Survey of North Carolina
Residents. North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. 2005.

Cochran, D. "Re: Registered Vehicles." E-mail to [e-mail]. Received
from [e-mail] on 02 Apr. 2007.

"Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Respiratory and Enteric Viruses Branch." 3 Aug. 2006. Center
for Disease Control and Prevention. <http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/faq.htm>.

"Disease Listing, Escherichia Coli O157:H7, Gen Info." CDC Bacterial, Mycotic Diseases. 6 Dec. 2006.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
<http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/escherichiacoli_g.htm>.

"Disease Listing, Salmonellosis, General Information." CDC Bacterial, Mycotic Diseases. 4 Nov. 2006.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/salmonellosis_g.htm

"Division of Parasitic Diseases - Toxocariasis Fact Sheet." 20 Mar. 2002. Center for Disease Control and
Prevention. 5 Sept. 2007 <http://www.cdc.gov/Ncidod/dpd/parasites/toxocara/factsht_toxocara.htm>.

Environmental Protection Agency. Getting In Step Guide: A Guide for Conducting Watershed Outreach
Campaigns. Office of Water: Nonpoint Source Control Branch. 3rd edition. Washington, D.C. 2010.

Keep It in Your Bed...Secure Your Load. Raleigh, NC: North Carolina Department of Transportation, 2007

"Litter Data." E-mail to Benjamin D. Andrea. Received from [e-mail] 12 Feb. 2007.

"Toolbox - Audience Data." www.ncstormwater.org. 21 Nov. 2001. North Carolina Department of
Environment and Natural Resources. <http://www.ncstormwater.org/pages/toolkitaudiencedata.html>.

"Toxoplasmosis: Fact Sheet." CDC Parasitic Diseases. 23 Sept. 2004. Center for Disease Control and
Prevention. 5 Sept. 2007
<http://www.cdc.gov/NCIDOD/dpd/parasites/toxoplasmosis/factsht_toxoplasmosis.htm>.

"VLAA - Facts about Butt Litter." www.litter.vic.gov.au. 13 Apr. 2007. Victorian Litter Action Alliance.
<http://www.litter.vic.gov.au/www/html/2312-facts-about-butt-litter.asp>.

Wisconsin University and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

107

NPDES PERMIT: PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT & PARTICIPATION (SECTION C)
1. Objectives for Public Involvement and Participation
Comply with State and local public notice requirements when implementing a public
involvement and participation program.

2. BMPs for Public Involvement and Participation
The permittee shall implement the following BMPs to meet the objectives of the Public
Involvement and Participation Program and shall notify the Division prior to modification of any
goals.

BMP Measurable Goals
a. Volunteer
community
involvement
program
The permittee shall include and promote volunteer opportunities
designed to promote ongoing citizen participation.
b. Mechanism for
Public involvement
The permittee shall provide and promote a mechanism for public
involvement that provides for input on stormwater issues and the
stormwater program.
c. Hotline/Help line The permittee shall promote and maintain a hotline/helpline for
the purpose of public involvement and participation.

108

APPENDIX C: PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT AND PARTICIPATION

Included in this section:
• BMP Reporting Table
• Cumulative Year End Reports for Contractual/Cooperative Agreements with:
- New Hanover Soil & Water Conservation District
- Cape Fear River Watch

DATE OF
EVENT/
ACTIVITY
EVENT/ACTIVITY AUDIENCE DELIVERED BY
(AGENCY)
METHOD OF
DELIVERY / MESSAGE
ATTENDANCE/
PARTICIPATION
Many Public Involvement & Participation events/activities were cancelled in Summer & Fall 2020 due to Covid-19 stay at home orders,
including school being cancelled for the remainder of the year. Virtual events and activities were scheduled where appropriate and
safe.

BMP a. Volunteer community involvement program
Contract Agreements for Public Involvement and Participation
The City of Wilmington contracts annually with Cape Fear River Watch (CFRW) and New Hanover Soil & Water Conservation Distric t
(NHSWCD) to implement additional public involvement and participation activities, as well as education and outreach activities. Both
organizations sign a yearly contract with the City of Wilmington that includes specific deliverables that enable the City to meet many of
its federal NPDES permit requirements. A year end summary report for each agency's specific contract deliverables is included in the
Appendix. Below is a summary of each agency's annual service deliverables.
CFRW - Supports NPDES permit activities including: 8th grade classroom presentations, educational programs for Wilmington
residents, volunteer storm drain marking, volunteer watershed cleanups and coordination, volunteer creekwatchers monitoring
program, Kerr Ave. education, support for NPDES public meetings and education efforts, quarterly reporting/invoicing.
NHSWCD - Supports NPDES permit activities such as: 8th grade classroom presentations, fecal coliform/pet waste education,
community presentations, local outreach events, LID education, environmental field days, educational website, volunteer storm drain
marking, monthly rain barrel sale, Stewardship Development Awards Program coalition and planning member, Hewletts Creek
education, support for NPDES public meetings and education efforts, quarterly reporting/invoicing.
Volunteer Watershed/Creek Litter Clean-ups
Ongoing Watershed cleanups
including the Annual
Big Sweep event
Volunteers CFRW volunteers 10 watershed
cleanups were held.

Areas cleaned
included Greenfield
Lake, Smith Creek,
Cape Fear River,
Burnt Mill Creek,
Randall Pond, Etc.
10 total cleanups
including annual
International
Coastal Cleanup
event.

211 volunteers
contributed a
total of 412
volunteer hours

Collected:
-24 (96-gallon)
bins of trash
-17.25 (96-
gallon) bins of
recycling

109

Volunteer Storm Drain Marking
Ongoing
campaign
Volunteer program to
install storm drain
awareness markers and
educational
doorhangers throughout
the City
City residents,
businesses,
landscapers
Contract agencies:
CFRW
NHSWCD
and their volunteers
Stormwater
awareness activity.
Volunteers place
educational markers
on storm drains and
distribute educational
doorhangers to
residents in
neighborhoods
where markers are
installed
CFRW:
26 storm drains
marked, utilizing
17 volunteers
and placing 100
educational
doorhangers in
the SeaSpray
Drive
neighborhood.
NHSWCD: 0
drains marked
(new staff)
Volunteer CreekWatchers Observation Monitoring
Every other
month - two
creek location
reports
Volunteer monitoring of
creek segments that
drain to Cape Fear
River or Intracoastal
Waterway
CFRW volunteers
are trained to do
observations.
City staff receive
these reports and
the Compliance
Officers follow-up
on any issues
noted.
CFRW and
volunteers
Volunteers conduct
bi-monthly
observations of area
creeks and provide a
rotating monitoring
report and photos to
Stormwater Services.

Water quality issues
or illicit discharges
are reported
immediately to the
Stormwater
Compliance Officer
12 Bi-Monthly
volunteer
observations
including creek
and corridor
conditions,
vegetation and
wildlife present,
litter quantity,
and suggestions
for remediation
Monthly Public Rain Barrel Sale
Monthly Monthly rain barrel sale
to the general public.
Held the 2nd Thursday
of each month at NHC
Government Center
with partner agency,
NHSWCD.
General public Stormwater Services
NHSWCD
RainBarrelUSA
Stormwater runoff
reduction, watershed
and water
conservation
education to rain
barrel sale
attendees.
130 total rain
barrel sales this
fiscal year
Community Events / Educational Programs for the Public
Fall 2020 &
Spring 2021
semesters
8th Grade Enviroscape
Watershed
Presentations
All 8th Grade NHC
Schools Science
Classes
Stormwater Services
CFRW
NHSWCD
ZOOM virtual
presentation about
watersheds, local
water quality issues,
nonpoint source
pollution, BMPs and
stewardship. Virtual
presentations
included quiz/poll
questions and
interactive chat with
students and
teachers.
50 virtual
presentations
total:
Fall - 20 classes,
520 students
Spring - 30
classes, 732
students
7/23/2020 Pet Waste Signage for
Condo HOA
Wrightsville Green
HOA
Stormwater Services Provided signage to
HOA to help address
pet waste issue on
private property
4 pet waste signs
distributed
7/30/2020 UNCW Good Neighbor
Packets
UNCW Off Campus
Students
Stormwater Services
Stormwater
Compliance
Pet Waste Brochure
included in student
welcome packets
300 pet waste
brochures
distributed

110

10/2/2020 Pet Waste Educational
Signs & Supplies
The Quad
Apartment
Complex
Stormwater Services Pet Waste signage,
flags, brochures, and
management packet
distributed to
apartment managers
200 residents
105 educational
items distributed
10/10/2020 LakeFest at Greenfield
Lake
(socially-distanced
event due to Covid 19)
General public Stormwater Services Litter Prevention
Display and activity
for attendees with
educational
stormwater
giveaways provided
to each participant.
30 attendees
80 educational
items distributed
6/15/2021 Pet Waste Signage &
Supplies for Condo
HOA
Wrightsville Green
HOA
Stormwater Services Provided signage
and supplies to HOA
to help address pet
waste issue on
private property
1 pet waste sign,
40 pet waste
brochures, 20
yellow flags, 30
roll bags
distributed
6/17/2021 Pet Waste Signage &
Supplies for Condo
HOA
Aspire 349
Apartment
Complex, Ben
Smith- Mgr.
Stormwater Services Provided signage
and supplies to
apartment complex
to help address pet
waste issue on
private property
4 pet waste
signs, 50 pet
waste brochures,
5 posters, 25
yellow flags, and
Pet Waste
Manager's
Toolkit.
3/20/2021 WaterLoop Podcast
Interview
General public Stormwater Services
CFRW
UNCW
Topic: Turning a
Lake from Green to
Clean
Audience
numbers
unknown
Ongoing Pet Waste Tidy Bag Pet
Dispensers &
Educational Signage
Pet owners Stormwater Services Supplement to
signage program.
Compliance officer
distributes bag
dispensers to pet
owners to encourage
pick up and proper
disposal
351 tidy bag pet
waste dispensers
purchased
Citizen Contacts
Ongoing/
regularly
Stormwater office via
phone, email or walk-in
Citizens/
Businesses
Stormwater Services Responses to
requests for
information,
literature, etc.
14 contacts.
Information
provided
regarding specific
nature of contact

BMP b. Mechanism for Public involvement
Public Notices, Public Meetings & Community Input
7/31/2020 Targeted Doorhanger
notice
Residents and
businesses
affected by the
Scotland Lane
project
Stormwater Services Project info notice
distributed to local
residents in advance
of project work
34 doorhangers

111

Sept. 2020 Face-to-face meeting
with property owners.
Residents and
businesses
impacted by New
Orleans Place
project
Stormwater Services Meeting with property
owners in the project
area.
3 meetings
12/1/2020 Face-to-face meetings
with property owners.
Residents and
businesses
impacted by
Greenville White
project
Stormwater Services Meetings with
property owners in
the project area.
6 meetings
August -
November
2020
Targeted Mailings Residents and
businesses
impacted by
Emergency
Watershed
Protection (EWP)
projects
Stormwater Services Targeted mailings to
property owners the
7 different project
areas.
345 mailings
1/2/2021 Targeted Mailings Residents and
businesses
impacted by the
Red Cross St.
Project
Stormwater Services Meetings with
property owners in
the project area.
35 mailings
4/5/2021 Face-to-face meetings
with property owners.
Residents and
businesses
impacted by
Brookshire/Beasley
project
Stormwater Services Meetings with
property owners in
the project area.
5 meetings
5/1/2021 Face-to-face meetings
with property owners.
Residents and
businesses
impacted by
Wisteria/Clearbrook
project
Stormwater Services Meetings with
property owners in
the project area.
2 meetings
6/2/2021 Face-to-face meetings
with property owners.
Residents
impacted by Clear
Run Branch Project
Stormwater Services Meeting with property
owners in the project
area.
20 meetings
Posted online
until projects
were
completed
Florence Recovery
Project Tracking Map
All city residents Stormwater Services Interactive public
map posted for
citizens to view
sidewalk,
stormwater, and
street repair projects
post-Hurricane
Florence.
Online map in the
city's GIS
Website Gallery

BMP c. Maintain Hotline/Help Line
The Stormwater Pollution Prevention Hotline was established per NPDES requirements in January 2010 to field calls from the citizens,
businesses, and city employees regarding illicit discharges and other reports of stormwater pollution. The hotline phone # is 910-341-
1020 and the web reporting address is www.wilmingtonnc.gov/reportstormwaterpollution. Hotline/web reports are routed to the
Stormwater Compliance Officers who track, investigate, and respond to all hotline reports. Compliance officers routinely educate
offenders in addition to issuing necessary fines/violations. Information regarding hotline reports is included in the Enforcement
Appendix section.

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Ongoing Stormwater Hotline
advertised using
various outreach
methods: truck
magnets, signs,
billboards,
presentations, etc.
General public Stormwater Services Hotline poster,
website, GTV-8 and
promo items (pens,
magnets, sticky
notes) are used to
raise awareness of
the Stormwater
Hotline
28 calls were
placed to the
City’s Stormwater
hotline, 11 online
webform reports
were submitted,
and 641 direct
emails and 54
direct calls were
received by the
Compliance
Officers related
to stormwater
violations. The
nature of the
hotline reports
are found in the
Enforcement
section of the
Appendix.

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Cumulative Year End Contract Agency Reports

CAPE FEAR RIVER WATCH
617 Surry Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
[phone]
www.capefearriverwatch.org

Quarterly Progress Report #4: April 1 – June 30, 2021

Cape Fear River Watch, Inc. (CFRW), under contract with the City of Wilmington Stormwater
Services, will provide the following services for the time period consistent with the City’s fiscal
year from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021 for the agreed amount of $15,510. These
contracted services, should be implemented as equitably as possible throughout the fiscal year, to
assist the City in meeting requirements of its federal NPDES Stormwater Permit.

Public Education/Outreach Total Allocated Cost: $6215
Conduct Enviroscape Presentations for at least 1/3 of 8th grade science classes in New
Hanover County Schools each semester for the entire school year. The Enviroscape watershed
education presentation is an integral component of the 8th grade science curriculum in New
Hanover County Schools. Presentations will be done in coordination with other contracted or
cooperating environmental agencies and will focus on the specific NC Essential Standard and
Objectives for the Hydrosphere/Hydrology unit. Enviroscape instructors will be trained, certified,
and follow all applicable Enviroscape presentation policies and procedures as set forth by the City
of Wilmington Stormwater Services. A maximum of 3 trained Enviroscape instructors from each
agency (which includes the Enviroscape supervisor) are permitted to deliver presentations in 8th
grade. Enviroscape supervisors are responsible for ensuring that their agency’s instructors are fully
trained, certified, and observed accordingly and kept up to date on the script, photo aids, maps,
props and other pertinent presentation information. Contracted Enviroscape supervisors will
deliver a minimum of two presentations each semester (2 in the fall semester, 2 in the spring
semester). Additional presentations given in other settings should not conflict or duplicate the
integrated 8th grade NHCS Enviroscape presentations in any fashion; a summary should be
provided in each quarterly report for any additional presentations given. ($2420)

October 1 – December 31, 2020
8th Grade Enviroscape Presentations
Date School / Teacher Grade # of presentations # of students
10/13/20 Murray Middle / Chris Courie 8th 1 Mock
Presentation
11/30/20 Trask Middle / Lauren Bennett 8th 4 106
12/1/20 Trask Middle / Kristin Connell 8th 2 59

FY 20-21

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8th Grade Enviroscape Presentations – ZOOM Enviroscape Supervisor / Hosting
Date of Hosting Name of Host / Agency Teacher / School Name Class Timespan Hosted
11/30/20 Kay Lynn Hernandez / CFRW Lauren Bennett / Trask Middle 8:45 – 9:40am
11/30/20 Kay Lynn Hernandez / CFRW Lauren Bennett / Trask Middle 9:50 – 10:45am
12/1/20 Kay Lynn Hernandez / CFRW Kristin Connell / Trask Middle 8:45 – 9:40am
12/1/20 Kay Lynn Hernandez / CFRW Kristin Connell / Trask Middle 9:50 – 10:45am
12/1/20 Kay Lynn Hernandez / CFRW Kristin Connell / Trask Middle 10:55 – 11:50am
12/1/20 Kay Lynn Hernandez / CFRW Kristin Connell / Trask Middle 12:00 – 12:55pm

Enviroscape Host Training – October 5th and 7th, 2020 and November 16th, 2020

January 1 – March 31, 2021
8th Grade Enviroscape Presentations
Date School / Teacher Grade # of presentations # of students
2/11/2021 International School at Gregory /
Jennifer Booth
8th 2 41
3/30/2021 Myrtle Grove MS / Kate Supak & Chanda
Wynne
8th 2 85

8th Grade Enviroscape Presentations – ZOOM Enviroscape Supervisor / Hosting
Date of Hosting Name of Host / Agency Teacher / School Name Class Timespan Hosted
3/29/2021 Kay Lynn Hernandez/CFRW Patrick Holder/Myrtle Grove 11:15am – 12:50pm
3/29/2021 Kay Lynn Hernandez/CFRW Patrick Holder/Myrtle Grove 2:40 – 3:40pm

Virtual Enviroscape scheduling and update meeting – 2/18/21

April 1 – June 30, 2021
8th Grade Enviroscape Presentations
Date School / Teacher Grade # of presentations # of students
4/22/2021 Roland Grise Middle School /
Stephanie Titzel & Will McKibben
8th 2 117
Other Enviroscape Presentations
Date School / Group / Event Grade # of presentations # of attendees
6/22/2021 Sea Turtle Camp 9th - 12th 1 15

8th Grade Enviroscape Presentations – ZOOM Enviroscape Supervisor / Hosting
Date of Hosting Name of Host / Agency Teacher / School Name Class Timespan Hosted
4/21/2021 Kay Lynn Hernandez / CFRW Molly Philippbar / Roland Grise
Middle School
11:00am – 11:55am

4/21/2021 Kay Lynn Hernandez / CFRW Molly Philppbar / Roland Grise
Middle School
12:45pm – 1:35pm
4/22/2021 Kay Lynn Hernandez / CFRW Stephanie Titzel & Will McKibben /
Roland Grise Middle School
11:00am – 11:55am
4/22/2021 Kay Lynn Hernandez / CFRW Stephanie Titzel & Will McKibben /
Roland Grise Middle School
12:45pm – 1:35pm

Provide educational programs and eco-tours for Wilmington residents related to water
quality, water resources, and stormwater pollution. Educational programs include First
Saturday Seminars, presentations to community and civic organizations, and other scheduled talks
in the community. Educational programs for homeowners associations should be planned and
coordinated with Stormwater Services. Educational programs will also include eco-tours and

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birding tours at Greenfield Lake and local creek paddling tours. Wildlife feeding education can be
incorporated into these established educational activities, as well as provided by the boathouse
staff for lake patrons. Efforts will be made by CFRW to inform the local media about educational
programs.

Outreach and education activities for the Kerr Avenue Wetland can include activities such as
outreach/education for business owners/operators and property owners in close proximity to the
KA Wetland, group cleanups (independent of the 10 cleanups service), and presentations to
groups. ($250 is allocated for Kerr Avenue education)
($3795)

July 1 - September 30, 2020
First Saturday Seminars
Date Topic Speaker Attendance
8/1/2020 Stormwater Mitigation
(Virtual due to COVID-19)
Bill Hunt 47
9/5/2020 Environmental Justice
(Virtual due to COVID-19)
Sherri White Williams 31
Other Presentations by CFRW Staff
Date Organization/Audience Topic / Speaker Attendance
8/1/2020 UNCW Island Ecology Class
(Virtual due to COVID-19)
CFRW/Kay Lynn Hernandez 55
8/27/2020 NAACP
(Virtual due to COVID-19)
Civic Engagement Program/Audrey Dunn 40
8/28/2020 Dark Waters Film Screening
(Virtual due to COVID-19)
PFAS/Dana Sargent 28
8/30/2020
UNCW Environmental
Conservation Class
(Virtual due to COVID-19)
CFRW/Kay Lynn Hernandez 45
9/3/2020
Revisioning Recovery and Film
screening
(Virtual due to COVID-19)
Environmental Justice/Audrey Dunn 40
Greenfield Lake Eco-Tours & Paddle Tours on Creeks
Date Group Served/Audience Type of Tour /Topic / Location / Speaker Attendance
7/9/2020 Giggles Day Care Walking Eco Tour/Stormwater, plants and
animals/Greenfield Lake/Kay Lynn Hernandez
8
7/15/2020 Noah’s Ark Day Care Walking Eco Tour/Stormwater, plants and
animals/Greenfield Lake/Kay Lynn Hernandez
10
7/27/2020 Private Citizens Paddling Eco Tour/Stormwater, history, flora and
fauna/Greenfield Lake/Kay Lynn Hernandez
3
9/20/2020 Homeschool Group/Students Walking Eco Tour/Stormwater, plants and
animals/Greenfield Lake/Kay Lynn Hernandez
8
9/28/2020 Private Citizens Paddling Eco Tour/Stormwater, history, flora and
fauna/Greenfield Lake/Kay Lynn Hernandez
2
9/30/2020 Private Citizens Paddling Eco Tour/Stormwater, history, flora and
fauna/Greenfield Lake/Kay Lynn Hernandez
2
9/30/2020 Private Citizens
(Virtual due to COVID-19)
Virtual Eco Tour/ Stormwater, history, flora and
fauna/Greenfield Lake/Kay Lynn Hernandez
16

October 1 - December 31, 2020
First Saturday Seminars (Virtual due to COVID-19)
Date Topic Speaker Attendance
10/5/2020 History of Masonboro Island Lloyd Singleton 17
11/7/2020 Story of an Urban Stream Amy McClane 36
12/8/2020 Designing home garden Kate Cardemone 28

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Other Presentations by CFRW Staff (Virtual due to COVID-19)
Date Organization/Audience Topic / Speaker Attendance
10/1/2020 OLLI/Students Water Quality in CF Basin/Kemp Burdette 50
11/15/2020 CFRW/Members Water Quality in CF Basin/Kemp Burdette 30
Greenfield Lake Eco-Tours & Paddle Tours on Creeks
Date Group Served/Audience Type of Tour /Topic / Location / Speaker Attendance
10/12/2020 Private Citizens Paddling Eco Tour/Stormwater, history, flora and
fauna/Greenfield Lake/Kay Lynn Hernandez
5
10/13/2020 Men’s Club Paddling Eco Tour/Stormwater, history, flora and
fauna/Greenfield Lake/Kay Lynn Hernandez
12
10/14/2020 Private Citizens Paddling Eco Tour/Stormwater, history, flora and
fauna/Greenfield Lake/Kay Lynn Hernandez
2
10/24/2020 LakeFest/Community members Walking Eco Tour of Greenfield Lake/Kay Lynn
Hernandez
7
10/27/2020 Men’s Club Paddling Eco Tour/Stormwater, history, flora and
fauna/Greenfield Lake/Kay Lynn Hernandez
14
11/7/2020

Archie Blue EJ event/Citizens Smith Creek/Kemp Burdette 12

12/31/2020 Private Citizens
(Virtual due to COVID-19)
Virtual Eco Tour/ Stormwater, history, flora and
fauna/Greenfield Lake/Kay Lynn Hernandez
78

Kerr Ave. Outreach, 11/11/2020
Brochures distributed to:
Kure CBD + Vape, Harris Teeter, McDonalds, 2.50 cleaners, Rochelle’s Hair Studio, Apple
Annie’s, Long Island Deli, Asian Healing Massage, Asian Market, Wilmington Furniture Co.,
Ethan Allen, Mani Q Spa, Chili’s, A Good Night Sleep Store, Buffalos, A Helping Hand of
Wilmington, K&K Pet Grooming, S&S Tobacco &Vape Discount Cigarettes, Rhythm & Blues
Tattoo, Exotic Hemp Co, Jae’s Alterations

January 1 - March 31, 2021
First Saturday Seminars (Virtual due to COVID-19)
Date Topic Speaker Attendance
2/7/2021 Eagles Island Roger Shew 229
3/8/2021 Growing Organically Kyle Stenerson 45
Other Presentations by CFRW Staff (Virtual due to COVID-19)
Date Organization/Audience Topic / Speaker Attendance
1/26/2021 Island Wildlife Group /
Community Members
Env. Issues of the CFR / Kemp Burdette 100
2/12/2021
Coastal Land Trust Little Lunch
Lecture Series/Community
Members
Greenfield Lake / Kay Lynn Hernandez 105
3/23/2021 Waterloop Podcast / Community
Members
Greenfield Lake / Dana Sargent 26
Greenfield Lake Eco-Tours & Paddle Tours on Creeks
Date Group Served/Audience Type of Tour /Topic / Location / Speaker Attendance
12/31/2020 Private Citizens
(Virtual due to Covid-19)
Virtual Eco Tour/ Stormwater, history, flora and
fauna/Greenfield Lake/Kay Lynn Hernandez
26

April 1 – June 30, 2021
First Saturday Seminars (Virtual due to COVID-19)
Date Topic Speaker Attendance
4/3/2021 Climate Change Warren Darryl 44

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5/1/2021 Emily Sutton, Emily Donovan,
Le’Meshia Whittington, Jamie
DeWitt, Elijah Yetter-Bowman
PFAS 98
6/5/2021 Bonnie Monteleone Plastics 41
Other Presentations by CFRW Staff (Virtual due to COVID-19)
Date Organization/Audience Topic / Speaker Attendance
4/15/2021 NC Sorosis Water quality threats and protection work /
Audrey Dunn
26
5/6/2021 Cape Fear Museum Science Chat 6
6/8/2021 NC Cooperative Extension and
Arboretum
Creekwatchers 60 (approx..)
Greenfield Lake Eco-Tours & Paddle Tours on Creeks
Date Group Served/Audience Type of Tour /Topic / Location / Speaker Attendance
4/13/2021 Eagles Island Paddle On the water Eco-tour/ history, flora and
fauna/Eagles Island/Kay Lynn Hernandez
1
4/16/2021 Cypress Cove Paddle On the water Eco-tour/ history, flora and
fauna/Cypress Cove/Kay Lynn Hernandez
2
4/19/2021 Downtown Riverfront Walking
Tour
Guided Downtown walking tour/river history,
impacts and protective
measures/Riverwalk/CFRW Intern
5
4/20/2021 Downtown Riverfront Walking
Tour
Guided Downtown walking tour/river history,
impacts and protective
measures/Riverwalk/CFRW Intern
1

4/23/2021

Greenfield Lake Paddle

On the water Eco-tour/ Stormwater, history, flora
and fauna/Greenfield Lake/Kay Lynn Hernandez

2
4/27/2021 Eagles Island Paddle On the water Eco-tour/ history, flora and
fauna/Eagles Island/Kay Lynn Hernandez
1
4/28/2021 Eagles Island Paddle On the water Eco-tour/ history, flora and
fauna/Eagles Island/Kay Lynn Hernandez
1
4/30/2021 Greenfield Lake Paddle On the water Eco-tour/ Stormwater, history, flora
and fauna/Greenfield Lake/Kay Lynn Hernandez
4
5/22/2021 NC Environmental Educators
Association
On the water Eco-tour/ Stormwater, history, flora
and fauna/Greenfield Lake/Kemp Burdette
7
6/22/2021 Sea Turtle Camp Walking eco-tour / Stormwater, history, flora and
fauna/Greenfield Lake/CFRW Intern Sara
Marston
15

Kerr Avenue Cleanup:
Date of
Cleanup
Watershed Name &
Specific Area Cleaned (Include
map # and specific location
cleaned)
# of Creek
or Ditch
Ft/Miles
Cleaned
Amount of Trash Collected
ie. # of 96 gallon bins of
recycling
# of 30 gallon trash bags of
trash
Type of trash collected, etc.

# of
Volunteers/
Total
Volunteer
Hours
Contributed
6/12/21 Burnt Mill Creek / BMC #3
Kerr Avenue Wetland
.15 miles Trash: 1.75 96-gallon bins
Recycling: 1 96-gallon bins
28 volunteers/
56 volunteer
hours

Public Involvement/Volunteer Efforts Total Allocated Cost: $7953
Encourage public participation by engaging city residents/businesses/civic groups in a
volunteer Storm Drain Marking program in the city to involve and educate the community
about stormwater pollution. A minimum of 1 volunteer day with at least 5 community
volunteers and 14 drains marked is required. Agencies are welcome to do additional storm
drain marking beyond this requirement. Educational doorhangers will be distributed to

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surrounding residences/businesses during storm drain marking. Assist in identifying areas to mark
drains, educate volunteers about stormwater pollution and the purpose of the storm drain marking
program, train volunteers in marking and safety, use supplied markers, and help provide oversight
of the program. A trained CFRW staff member and/or trained intern is required to be present
during all storm drain marking activities and with each volunteer group. ($770)

April 1 – June 30, 2021
Storm Drain Marking
Date Name of Volunteer
Organization/Business/Etc
Specific Area Marked # of
Volunteers
# of Drains
Marked
# of door
hangers
distributed
5/1/2021 Girl Scout Troop 4785/April
Hanysk – Troop Leader
Seaspray Drive/Sandcastle
Court
8 12 50
5/2/2021 Girl Scout Troop 4785/April
Hanysk – Troop Leader
Seaspray Drive/ Royal
Bonnet Drive
9 14 50

Coordinate volunteer clean-ups of city watersheds/tributaries 10x per year, once per month
(with the exception of July and December). These cleanups will focus on tributaries that flow
into Greenfield Lake, Smith Creek, Burnt Mill Creek, Barnards Creek, Mott Creek, the Cape Fear
River, and as the need is discovered by the City.
10 monthly clean-ups will be completed including at least one site on the city’s provided location
map/list for the International Coastal Cleanup, an annual international clean-up event.

A cleanup location map and list will be provided to CFRW and a field trip can also be conducted
by the city with CFRW, as necessary, to point out the cleanup locations. CFRW cleanups done in
conjunction with Keep America Beautiful must be performed at the locations identified by the
city, in order to be reimbursable under this contract.

In order to avoid duplication of cleanup activities, CFRW will provide a schedule to City
Stormwater Services 1 month in advance of proposed cleanup event locations. CFRW will inspect
these sites closer to the cleanup date to ensure that the specific location is still in need of a
cleanup.

Local watershed clean-ups may also include volunteer efforts to remove wetland and aquatic
invasive plants with a focus on Greenfield Lake, Kerr Ave, and the Mary Bridger Wetland, but
should not be conducted in place of cleanups.

Any cleanups conducted on private property should include written permission obtained in
advance of the cleanup by CFRW from the property owner. These “written permissions” should
be included with the Watershed Cleanup Report and on the year-end compilation of documents on
USB/DVD/CD submitted to the city.

Efforts should be made to inform the local media and social media outlets about upcoming
cleanup events. In addition, significant water quality problems or suspected problems identified
during cleanups will be reported immediately to the appropriate officials, including the city’s
Stormwater Compliance Officer, Corey Boyett at 910-341-0092 or 910-343-4777.

A summary of each clean-up event will be completed and submitted to Stormwater Services.
Reports will be submitted using the supplied template and within 12 calendar days of the
cleanup event. Reports will include: the specific watershed, the location within the watershed that

119

was cleaned, number of community volunteers, hours worked, estimate of the quantity of waste
and recyclable materials removed, # of creek/ditch miles cleaned, photographs to document work
including before and after photos of the cleanup site, volunteer photos, and documentation of
efforts to secure volunteers and promote the event in the media and on social media. ($5973)

July 1 - September 30, 2020
Watershed Clean-ups
Date of
Cleanup
Watershed Name &
Specific Area Cleaned (Include map #
and specific location cleaned)
# of Creek
or Ditch
Ft/Miles
Cleaned
Amount of Trash Collected
ie. # of 96 gallon bins of
recycling
# of 30 gallon trash bags of
trash
Type of trash collected, etc.

# of Volunteers/
Total Volunteer
Hours Contributed
8/8/2020 Greenfield Lake/GFL#3 Lower
Willard Pond
.1 miles Trash: 1 96-gallon bin of
residential trash
Recycling: 1 96-gallon bin
of recycling
Miscellaneous: Camp
material, veterinary medical
waste
4 volunteers/
8 volunteer hours
9/14/2020 Greenfield Lake/GFL#2 11th St
between Greenfield St & Lakeshore Dr

.2 miles Trash: 1.5 96-gallon bins of
residential trash
Recycling: 2 96-gallon bins
of recycling
Miscellaneous: 1 large
backpack attached to hard
hat & gloves, another hard
hat & gloves with rubber
boots
8 volunteers/
16 volunteer hours

October 1 - December 31, 2020
Watershed Clean-ups
Date of
Cleanup
Watershed Name &
Specific Area Cleaned (Include map #
and specific location cleaned)
# of Creek
or Ditch
Ft/Miles
Cleaned
Amount of Trash Collected
ie. # of 96 gallon bins of
recycling
# of 30 gallon trash bags of
trash
Type of trash collected, etc.

# of Volunteers/
Total Volunteer
Hours Contributed
10/10/2020 Greenfield Lake / GFL #4 – 13th St to
Lakeshore Dr

Burnt Mill Creek / BMC #2 – Emerson
St., ditch runs from Kerr to Marlboro
St.
3 miles Trash: 1 96-gallon bins of
residential trash
Recycling: 1 96-gallon bins
of recycling
Miscellaneous: Two chairs
and a table
26 volunteers/
59 volunteer hours
11/14/2020 Smith Creek / SC #2 – Evans St. &
Princess Place
.5 miles Trash: 4 96-gallon bins of
residential trash
Recycling: 2 96-gallon bins
of recycling
Miscellaneous: Crutches,
child’s bicycle, toy guitar,
computer monitor, bullets,
cell phones,
baby’s bassinet, plastic
Christmas tree,
miscellaneous metal, needles
17 volunteers/
34 volunteer
hours

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January 1 - March 31, 2021
Watershed Clean-ups
Date of
Cleanup
Watershed Name &
Specific Area Cleaned (Include map #
and specific location cleaned)
# of Creek
or Ditch
Ft/Miles
Cleaned
Amount of Trash Collected
ie. # of 96 gallon bins of
recycling
# of 30 gallon trash bags of
trash
Type of trash collected, etc.

# of Volunteers/
Total Volunteer
Hours Contributed
1/23/2021 Drains directly to the Cape Fear /
DDCFR #1
– Front St/Greenfield St. (across from
S. Front Apts)
.50 miles Trash: 3 96-gallon bins of
residential trash + 1 more
full trash bag
Recycling: 3 96-gallon bins
of recycling
Miscellaneous: 1 entire truck
bed of large debris – two
partial semi-truck wheels,
one semi-truck
wheel mud guard, couch
cushion, wooden pallet,
large pieces of Styrofoam, a
bucket, scrap
metal, & wooden planks
30 volunteers/
60 volunteer hours
2/20/2021 Greenfield Lake / GFL #1 – Railroad
right-of-way from 3rd to 17th St.
.65 miles Trash: 4 96-gallon bins of
residential trash + 12 more
full trash bags
Recycling: 3 96-gallon bins
of recycling
Miscellaneous: 1 piano, a
couple of tires, a shopping
cart (returned to Mother
Hubbard’s
Cupboard), clothing, and a
Honda bumper, railroad ties
22 volunteers /
44 volunteer hours
3/13/2021 Burnt Mill Creek / BMC #1 – Randall
Pond
.5 miles Trash: 1.5 96-gallon bins
Recycling: 1 96-gallon bin
Miscellaneous: N/A
15 volunteer /
30 volunteer hours

April 1 – June 30, 2021
Watershed Clean-ups
Date of
Cleanup
Watershed Name &
Specific Area Cleaned (Include map #
and specific location cleaned)
# of Creek
or Ditch
Ft/Miles
Cleaned
Amount of Trash Collected
ie. # of 96 gallon bins of
recycling
# of 30 gallon trash bags of
trash
Type of trash collected, etc.

# of Volunteers/
Total Volunteer
Hours Contributed
4/10/2021 Greenfield Lake / GFL #5
– Medical Center Dr (creek runs on
both sides behind Bojangles and Hess
Gas Station)

.50 miles Trash: 2 96-gallon bins
Recycling: .75 96-gallon bin

17 volunteers/
17 volunteer hours
5/08/2021 Burnt Mill Creek / BMC #8 – Shirley
Rd dead end
.50 miles Trash: 3 96-gallon bins + 10
bags
Recycling: 2 96-gallon bins
Misc: Many balls and dog
toys
36 volunteers/
72 volunteer hours
6/12/21 Greenfield Lake / GFL #5 .50 miles

Trash: 3 96-gallon bins
Recycling: 1.5 96-gallon
bins
36 volunteers/
72 volunteer hours

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– Medical Center Dr (creek runs on
both sides behind Bojangles and Hess
Gas Station)

Conduct a volunteer CreekWatchers monitoring program and alert Stormwater Services
when volunteers find problem areas. Every other month CreekWatcher volunteer monitoring
activities will be conducted in at least 2 locations and will target high priority creeks or creek
sections identified in cooperation with Stormwater Services. The monitoring reports submitted
should rotate among the list of locations provided to CFRW by the City. Observation reporting
months are August, October, December, February, April, and June. The CreekWatch Observation
Monitoring Form with field observations and photo documentation will be submitted to
Stormwater Services within 12 calendar days of monitoring. In addition, significant water quality
problems identified during observation monitoring will be reported immediately to the appropriate
officials, including the city’s Stormwater Compliance Officer, Corey Boyett at 910-341-0092 or
910-343-4777. CreekWatchers should be trained community volunteers (not staff and interns) to
help satisfy public involvement objectives ($1210)

July 1 - September 30, 2020
CreekWatchers Reports
Date of Report CreekWatcher
Volunteer Name(s)
Watershed Specific Creek Location Monitored
(reference the list of locations provided)
8/17/2020 Jim Depree & Deanna
Bertino
Barnards Creek Appleton Way
8/22/2020 Mary Martha Vaught Smith Creek Maides Park/Hurst Branch

October 1 - December 31, 2020
CreekWatchers Reports
Date of Report CreekWatcher
Volunteer Name(s)
Watershed Specific Creek Location Monitoried
(reference the list of locations provided)
10/17/2020 Lauren Cromey Bradley Creek End of Circular Drive
10/23/2020 S. Clancy Burnt Mill Creek Wilshire at Downey
12/5/2020 Murray Whitehill Hewletts Creek Creekside at Hewletts
12/8/2020 Lauren Cromey Bradley Creek End of Circular Drive

January 1 - March 31, 2021
CreekWatchers Reports
Date of Report CreekWatcher
Volunteer Name(s)
Watershed Specific Creek Location Monitoried
(reference the list of locations provided)
2/24/2021 Gloria Shirley Burnt Mill Creek BMC from bridge at Grady to Metts Ave.
2/24/2021 Bhairavi Jeganathan Burnt Mill Creek Mary Bridgers Park

April 1 – June 30, 2021
CreekWatchers Reports
Date of Report CreekWatcher
Volunteer Name(s)
Watershed Specific Creek Location Monitored
(reference the list of locations provided)
4/17/21 Jim DePree Barnards Barnards Creek at Appleton Way
4/24/21 Michelle Beasley Hewletts Hewletts Creek at Lincoln Outfall
6/26/21 Gloria Shirley Burnt Mill Creek Wallace Park
6/19/21 Murray Whitehill Hewletts Hewletts at “Creekside at Hewletts”

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Contract Administration Total Allocated Cost: $1342
Quarterly progress reports and invoices will be submitted in accordance with the following
provisions:

Submit cumulative quarterly progress reports and invoices according to the following quarters:
July 1 - Sept 30 (1st Quarter); October 1 - Dec. 31 (2nd Quarter); January 1 -March 31 (3rd
Quarter); April 1 - June 30 (4th Quarter). The 4th quarter progress report will serve as a compiled
year-end summary report and will be included in the City’s NPDES annual report.

Quarterly reports and invoices are due within 12 calendar days of the quarter end date and will
follow templates and instructions set forth by Stormwater Services.

If the reporting due date falls on a weekend or a city-observed holiday, reports are due the
following weekday by 5pm. Any reports received late, including Quarterly Progress
Reports, Quarterly Invoices, Cleanup Reports, CreekWatcher reports, year-end compilation
of records/reports, etc. will result in an automatic overall reduction of the quarterly invoice
payment amount according to the following schedule:
▪ 1-10 calendar days late - 10% reduction of the quarterly payment amount
▪ 11+ calendar days late - 20% reduction of the quarterly payment amount

The quarterly invoice should use the supplied template which shows the % of each service
completed each quarter, invoice amount, and amount remaining to be paid. Invoices will be paid
once the quarterly progress report and invoice(s) are received and reviewed by the City for
adequate progress. Non-performance or inadequate progress may result in non-payment or
reduction of payment. No pre-payment of services will occur.

Reports and invoices that do not follow templates/instructions will be returned for correction;
payment will be processed once updated reports and invoices are received, reviewed, and
approved.

CFRW will maintain all records and reports related to this contract on a fiscal year (FY) basis
(July 1-June 30). These records should be retained for a period of at least 5 years. These files are
public record and should be accessible at the contracted agency location. In addition, an annual
compilation of all contract documents, records, reports, invoices, and pertinent educational
materials or related materials will be provided to the City of Wilmington Stormwater Services on a
USB Flash Drive, CD, or DVD for the entire contract year within 12 calendar days of the 4th
quarter end date.

Contact person: Stormwater Services requires one main point of contact for the implementation,
management, communication and reporting of this annual contract. This staff person will be the
individual that implements the majority of contract services, and therefore will be the most
familiar with the contract. The designated contact person is: Kay Lynn Hernandez ($1342)

Comment [CFRW]: Kay Lynn Hernandez’s last date of employment with Cape Fear River Watch
was May 14, 2021. As of that date, she was no longer the designated contact person with the City
of Wilmington Stormwater Services.

123

Other: Do not assign a cost.
Assist Stormwater Services in implementing additional public outreach, education,
involvement, and participation activities required by federal NPDES stormwater permit.
Summary reports and information will be included in the City’s NPDES yearly report to the State.
In addition, significant water quality problems or suspected problems identified while
implementing contract services will be reported immediately to the appropriate officials, including
the city’s Stormwater Compliance Officer, Corey Boyett at 910-341-0092 or 910-343-4777.

Report compiled by: Dana Sargent Date: 6/30/2021

124

NEW HANOVER SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
230 Market Place Drive, Suite 100
Wilmington, NC 28403

Quarterly Progress Report #4: April 1 – June 30, 2021

New Hanover Soil & Water Conservation District (NHSWCD), under contract with the City of
Wilmington Stormwater Services, will provide the following services for the time period
consistent with the City’s fiscal year from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021 for the agreed
amount of $26,600. These contracted services, implemented as equitably as possible throughout
the fiscal year, assist the City in meeting requirements of its federal NPDES Stormwater Permit.

Public Education/Outreach Total Allocated Cost: $18,268
Conduct Enviroscape Presentations for at least 1/3 of 8th grade science classes in New
Hanover County Schools each semester for the entire school year. The Enviroscape watershed
education presentation is an integral component of the 8th grade science curriculum in New
Hanover County Schools. Presentations will be done in coordination with other contracted or
cooperating environmental agencies and will focus on the specific NC Essential Standard and
Objectives for the Hydrosphere/Hydrology unit. Enviroscape instructors will be trained, certified,
and follow all applicable Enviroscape presentation policies and procedures as set forth by the City
of Wilmington Stormwater Services. A maximum of 3 trained Enviroscape instructors from each
agency (which includes the Enviroscape supervisor) are permitted to deliver presentations in 8th
grade. Enviroscape supervisors are responsible for ensuring that their agency’s instructors are fully
trained, certified, and observed accordingly and kept up to date on the script, photo aids, maps,
props and other pertinent presentation information. Contracted Enviroscape supervisors will
deliver a minimum of two presentations each semester (2 in the fall semester, 2 in the spring
semester). Additional presentations given in other settings should not conflict or duplicate the
integrated 8th grade NHCS Enviroscape presentations in any fashion; a summary should be
provided in each quarterly report for any additional presentations given. Other efforts may include
assisting with curriculum development, scheduling presentations, teacher relations, and training
and observing instructors. ($2420)

July 1 - September 30, 2020
Assisted with training and testing of online set-up for 20/21 school year due to Covid-19
restrictions.

October 1 – December 31, 2020
8th Grade Enviroscape Presentations
Date School Grade # of presentations # of students
10/13/20 Murray Middle / Chris Courie 8 1 Mock Presentation
11/23/20 Murray Middle / Robert Roth 8 2 56
11/24/20 Murray Middle / Kara Krisanda & Chris Courie 8 2 66

FY 20-21

125

8th Grade Enviroscape Presentations – ZOOM Enviroscape Supervisor / Hosting
Date of Hosting Name of Host / Agency Teacher / School Name Class Timespan Hosted
11/23/20 Dru Harrison / NHSWCD Robert Roth / Murray Middle 2:30 – 3:20pm
11/24/20 Dru Harrison / NHSWCD Kara Krisanda & Chris Courie / Murray Middle 9:10 – 10:00am
11/24/20 Dru Harrison / NHSWCD Kara Krisanda & Chris Courie / Murray Middle 10:10 – 11:00am
11/24/20 Dru Harrison / NHSWCD Kara Krisanda & Chris Courie / Murray Middle 1:30 – 2:10pm
11/24/20 Dru Harrison / NHSWCD Kara Krisanda & Chris Courie / Murray Middle 2:30 – 3:20pm
11/30/20 Dru Harrison / NHSWCD Lauren Bennett / Trask Middle 10:55 – 11:50am
11/30/20 Dru Harrison / NHSWCD Lauren Bennett / Trask Middle 12:00 – 12:55pm

Trainings Attended:
• 10/13/20 One staff observed Enviroscape Supervisor, Dru Harrison, present the
Enviroscape.
• 10/13/20 Two staff observed veteran instructors, Anna Reh-Gingerich and Audrey Dunn,
present the Enviroscape.
• 11/23/20 One staff observed Enviroscape Supervisor, Dru Harrison, present the
Enviroscape.

January 1 – March 31, 2021
8th Grade Enviroscape Presentations
Date School / Teacher Grade # of presentations # of students
3/2/21 Williston Middle School /
Stephen Foster & Bobby Garcia
8 2 69
3/29/21 Myrtle Grove Middle School / Patrick Holder 8 2 45
3/30/21 Myrtle Grove Middle School /
Kate Supak & Chanda Wynne
8 1 50

8th Grade Enviroscape Presentations – ZOOM Enviroscape Supervisor / Hosting
Date of Hosting Name of Host / Agency School Name / Teacher Class Timespan Hosted
3/2/21 Dru Harrison / NHSWCD Williston Middle School /
Stephen Foster & Bobby Garcia
1:30-2:25pm
3/30/21 Dru Harrison / NHSWCD Myrtle Grove Middle School /
Kate Supak & Chanda Wynne
10:55-11:50am
11:55am-12:50pm
2:40-3:40pm

Trainings Attended:
• 1/15/2021 Three staff members attended the New Instructor Training for Enviroscape from
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• 2/18/21 Three staff members attended scheduling and program update meeting.
• 3/2/2021 One staff member observed veteran instructor, Anna Reh-Gingerich, present the
Enviroscape.
• 3/29/2021 One staff member observed veteran instructor, Amy Renfranz, present the
Enviroscape.

April 1- June 30, 2021
8th Grade Enviroscape Presentations
Date School / Teacher Grade # of presentations # of students
4/22/21 Roland Grise Middle School /
Stephanie Titzel & Will McKibbin
8 1 62
Other Enviroscape Presentations
Date School / Group / Event Grade # of presentations # of attendees

126

6/21/21 Turtle Camp at Cape Fear River Watch HS 1 15

8th Grade Enviroscape Presentations – ZOOM Enviroscape Supervisor / Hosting
Date of Hosting Name of Host / Agency School Name / Teacher Class Timespan Hosted
4/22/21 Dru Harrison / NHSWCD Roland Grise Middle School /
Stephanie Titzel & Will McKibbin
1:45-2:35pm
2:45-3:40pm

Increase awareness and education in the city about pet waste/fecal coliform bacterial
pollution and the City’s pet waste ordinance. Implement education with city residents about pet
waste, fecal bacteria, the impacts on water quality, the city’s pet waste ordinance, and solutions.
Provide outreach and education materials via K-12 education programs, public meetings, agency
website, and by participating/staffing the Canines for Clean Water (C4CW) Program booth at a
minimum of 3 pet-related events (with pets largely present at a minimum of 2 events). The
expectation is to target well-attended pet events. ($1705)

July 1 - September 30, 2020
Scheduled event for 10/31/20 at Quad Apartments during Pet Day at complex. Event was
cancelled due to Covid-19.

October 1 – December 31, 2020
Pet Events / Pet Waste Ordinance Education
Date Event Location Method of
Delivery
# and Name of Education Materials Distributed # of signed
Pet Waste
Pledges
10/27/20 Social Media
Outreach for
C4CW
Facebook Social
Media Post
258 - people viewed the post
16 - people clicked on link to COW C4CW website
https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/departments/public-
services/stormwater/education-
outreach/programs/canines-for-clean-water
N/A
11/16/20 Social Media
Outreach for
C4CW Event
at Aunt
Kerry’s
Facebook Social
Media
Event
317 – people viewed the event page
https://www.facebook.com/events/3988129112595
00/?active_tab=discussion
25 – people responded to event

N/A
11/21/20 Social Media
Outreach for
C4CW Event
at Aunt
Kerry’s
Facebook Social
Media
Posts
91 – people viewed the posts N/A
11/21/20 C4CW
Outreach
Event
Aunt Kerry’s
Pet Stop
C4CW
Display
Table
26 - C4CW goodie bags
26 – COW Stormwater is a Dirty Word brochure
26 - COW Pet Waste brochures
26 - COW C4CW brochures
26 - C4CW magnets
26 - C4CW pens
26 - C4CW pet waste bags and dispensers
16

January 1 – March 31, 2021
Pet Events / Pet Waste Ordinance Education
Date Event Location Method of
Delivery
# and Name of Education Materials Distributed # of signed
Pet Waste
Pledges
2/16/21 February E-
Newsletter
Online Email 508 – people who read February’s Soil & Water E-
Newsletter, which featured pet waste removal as
the BMP of the month
N/A

127

• External link shared:
https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/departme
nts/public-services/stormwater/education-
outreach/programs/canines-for-clean-
water

Other:
• Scheduled event for 1/9/21 at Long Leaf Park for the Paws 4 People Annual 5K. Event was
rescheduled due to Covid-19.
• Scheduled event for 3/20/21 at Animal House of Wilmington during their Open House.
Event was rescheduled due to weather.
• Link to the February E-Newsletter: https://soilwater.nhcgov.com/wp-
content/uploads/2021/02/ENewsletter_February2021.pdf .

April 1 – June 30, 2021
Pet Events / Pet Waste Ordinance Education
Date Event Location Method of
Delivery
# and Name of Education Materials Distributed # of signed
Pet Waste
Pledges
4/10/21 Open House
Event
Animal
House of
Wilmington
C4CW
Display
Table
8 C4CW goodie bags containing "Stormwater is a
Dirty Word", "COW Pet Waste", and "COW
C4CW" brochures, C4CW magnets, C4CW pen,
C4CW pet waste bag dispensers
8
5/15/21 C4CW
Outreach
Event
Long Leaf
Park Dog
Park
C4CW
Display
Table
18 C4CW goodie bags containing "Stormwater is a
Dirty Word", "COW Pet Waste", and "COW
C4CW" brochures, C4CW magnets, C4CW pen,
C4CW pet waste bag dispensers
18

Conduct at least 2 “Stormwater 101” education presentations to HOAs, garden clubs,
community/civic groups, property management companies, businesses, college students,
developers, or during watershed-wide meetings. 1 presentation may target college
classes/students or county employees. Initiate direct contact with potential audiences, promote
program, and schedule/deliver presentations. ($1100)

July 1 - September 30, 2020
Stormwater 101 Presentations
Date Organization /
Audience
Method of Delivery # and Name of Education Materials Distributed # of
attendees
8/8/20 Friends of Greenfield
Lake
Zoom/ Power Point
presentation (Virtual
meeting due to
Covid-19)
7 – electronic Stormwater Solutions brochures
https://soilwater.nhcgov.com/programs/stormwater-
solutions/

7

January 1 – March 31, 2021
Stormwater 101 Presentations
Date Organization /
Audience
Method of
Delivery
# and Name of Education Materials Distributed # of
attendees
3/23/21 Island Wildlife Chapter Zoom/ Power Point
presentation
(Virtual meeting
due to Covid-19)
19 – electronic Stormwater Solutions link
https://soilwater.nhcgov.com/programs/stormwater-
solutions/

3 CoW
Residents,
16 Other

128

April 1 – June 30, 2021
Stormwater 101 Presentations
Date Organization /
Audience
Method of Delivery # and Name of Education Materials Distributed # of
attendees
6/8/21 Hewletts & Bradley
Creek Watershed
Residents at the NHC
Arboretum
Power Point
presentation
12 – electronic Stormwater Solutions link emailed
after the program
https://soilwater.nhcgov.com/programs/stormwater-
solutions/

7

Provide educational contact with residents in the Hewletts Creek Watershed conservation
easement areas and pursue opportunities as they arise to secure additional conservation
easements within the City. Contact with residents may include an annual newsletter, educational
presentations, easement education, etc. In addition, NHSWCD will provide stormwater education
programs at the J.E.L. Wade Stormwater Wetland, as the need arises. ($1485)

October 1 – December 31, 2020
11/20 Worked with NHC GIS staff to identify area and mailing addresses to include in annual
newsletter mailing.

April 1 – June 30, 2021
Hewletts Creek Educational Contact
Date Audience Name
or School/Grade
Topic(s) and/or
Activity
# and Name of Education
Materials Distributed
#
presentations
# of
attendees
6/8/21 Hewletts &
Bradley Creek
Watershed
Residents at the
NHC Arboretum
A Watershed
Moment
Community Event
Various materials distributed at
participating partners’ outreach
tables
3 74
6/8/21 Hewletts &
Bradley Creek
Watershed
Residents at
J.E.L. Wade Park
Wetlands at
Work: A Tour of
Wade Park
N/A 1 22
6/10/21 Hewletts Creek
Watershed
Residents
Changing Tides
Newsletter
501 – Changing Tides Newsletters
https://soilwater.nhcgov.com/wp-
content/uploads/2021/06/CropandBl
eed_Volume13Summer2021Changi
ngTidesNewsletter.pdf
N/A 501

Facilitate additional environmental education presentations in the city that highlight issues
such as stormwater, water quality, and LID for local residents, students, teachers, camps,
business owners, etc. Presentation topics will tie into water quality, BMPs, wildlife, and water
conservation issues. ($2915)

January 1 – March 31, 2021
Environmental Education Presentations
Date Audience Name or
School / Grade
Topic(s) and/or
Activity
# and Name of Education
Materials Distributed
# of
presentations
# of attendees
1/27/21 Midtown YMCA
Youth Services
We All Live in a
Watershed
N/A 5 62
2/3/21 Midtown YMCA
Youth Services
Composting N/A 2 37

129

2/5/21 NHC Arboretum,
Teachers
Methods of Teaching
Environmental
Education
6 – Methods of Teaching
EE Workbooks
2 6
3/16/21 Murray Middle
School
Coastal Envirothon
Competition
N/A 1 5

April 1 – June 30, 2021
Environmental Education Presentations
Date Audience Name or
School / Grade
Topic(s) and/or
Activity
# and Name of Education
Materials Distributed
# of
presentations
# of attendees
4/17/21 Adult Participants at
the NHC Arboretum
Vermicompost and
Backyard Composting
N/A 1 33
4/27/21 General Adult
Audience via Pre-
Registration
Nature-Based
Stormwater Solutions
with Experts via Zoom
103 – Link to the
presentation recording
https://zoom.us/rec/share/t
R6WprYQCTMHg-
ziYIdTqGLJ12YdPWFyX
khE86-
AC9CLL0_FH8u6x8OeW
gTOPJb3.9EHLIkVj6NGK
M1MR
1 72
5/14/21 Roland Grise Middle
School / 6th Grade
Soil Science Virtual
Program
N/A 1 98
5/27/21 General Adult
Audience via Pre-
Registration
Green Infrastructure
and Stormwater with
Experts via Zoom
27 – Link to the
presentation recording
https://zoom.us/rec/share/v
rcGXxuEhou7cYUg7yFeb
TDmATp1jCvBZE7ZsE5b
N4muwlhkBT4_ZwQ3byg
yw-
Nm.PZ482lpVowxgTA7W
1 27
6/28/21 Davis Recreation
Center Summer
Camp Kids’
Program
Backyard Birding Fun N/A 2 18

Other:
• On 6/22/21 Amy Renfranz completed her Project WET Facilitator Certification and will be
offering that adult workshop in the future.

Organize/participate in community outreach events to engage citizens and provide
stormwater education. NHSWCD will attend and provide stormwater, BMP, and rain barrel sale
education at community outreach events (such as the New Hanover County Fair, Earth Day, etc).
($3300)

July 1 - September 30, 2020
Community Outreach Events
Date Event Location Method of
Delivery
# and Name of Education Materials
Distributed
# of
attendees
7/14/20 LID Workshop
through NC
Coastal Reserve
Online Power Point
through WebEx.
(virtual due to
Covid-19)
48 - electronic Local Cost Share Program
brochures https://soilwater.nhcgov.com/
48 – electronic What is a Rain Garden
brochure https://soilwater.nhcgov.com/
48 – links to NHSWCD website
https://soilwater.nhcgov.com/
48 – links to LID Workshop PPT
presentation
https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/coastal-
48

130

management/nc-coastal-reserve/coastal-
training-program/past-workshop#low-
impact-development-for-water-quality-
protection---virtual-workshop,-
september-1 (click Low Impact
Development for Water Quality
Protection - Virtual Workshop,
September 1
9/1/20 LID Workshop
through NC
Coastal Reserve
Online Power Point
through WebEx.
(virtual due to
Covid-19)
101 - electronic Local Cost Share
Program brochures
https://soilwater.nhcgov.com/
101– electronic What is a Rain Garden
brochures https://soilwater.nhcgov.com/
101 – links to NHSWCD website
https://soilwater.nhcgov.com/
101 – links to LID Workshop PPT
presentation
https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/coastal-
management/nc-coastal-reserve/coastal-
training-program/past-workshop#low-
impact-development-for-water-quality-
protection---virtual-workshop,-
september-1 (click Low Impact
Development for Water Quality
Protection - Virtual Workshop,
September 1
101

October 1 – December 31, 2020
Community Outreach Events
Date Event Location Method of
Delivery
# and Name of Education Materials
Distributed
# of
attendees
10/24/20 Lakefest Greenfield
Lake
Education and
Activity Booth
10 – NHSWCD Rain Garden Information
Guides
10 – NHSWCD Grant Programs for
Water Quality Improvements brochures
5 – COW Wilmington’s Waterways
Depend on You brochures
4 – NCDENR Buffers for Clean Water
brochures
4 – NCDA CCAP brochures
4 – NRCS What is a Watershed?
brochures
25

January 1 – March 31, 2021
Community Outreach Events
Date Event Location Method of
Delivery
# and Name of Education Materials
Distributed
# of
attendees
2/27/21 Tidal Creek
Farmers Market
Tidal Creek
Co-Op
Education, Retail,
and Activity
Booth
10- NHSWCD Rain Garden Information
Guide
10- NHSWCD Grant Programs for Water
Quality Improvements Trifold
10- CoW Wilmington's Waterways
Depend on You: Clean Water Starts at
Home Trifold
5 - NC Coastal Federation - "Smart
Yards"
1- CoW Citizen's Guide to Protecting
Wilmington's Waterways
56
3/27/21 Tidal Creek
Farmers Market
Tidal Creek
Co-Op
Education, Retail,
and Activity
Booth
3- NHSWCD Rain Garden Information
Guide
41

131

3- NHSWCD Grant Programs for Water
Quality Improvements Trifold
1- CoW Wilmington's Waterways
Depend on You: Clean Water Starts at
Home Trifold
5 - NC Coastal Federation - "Smart
Yards"
2- CoW Citizen's Guide to Protecting
Wilmington's Waterways

April 1 – June 30, 2021
Community Outreach Events
Date Event Location Method of
Delivery
# and Name of Education Materials
Distributed
# of
attendees
4/1/21 Wilmington
Earth Day
Alliance:
Choose Your
Own Adventure
2021
Website Online Interactive
Map and Calendar
of Earth Friendly
Activities
Throughout the
Month of April
355 – Website interactions during the
month of April
355
4/14/21 Cape Fear
Museum Earth
Day Activities
NourishNC
Food Bank
Distribution
Deliver Earth Day
Kits to Families
with Children
150 – Earth Day Education Kits, Tree &
Wildlife Theme
150
4/22/21 Earth Day
Employee
Celebration
Live Oak
Bank
Headquarters
Stormwater
Education and
Activity Booth
10- NHSWCD Rain Garden Information
Guide
10- NHSWCD Grant Programs for Water
Quality Improvements Trifold
10- CoW Wilmington's Waterways
Depend on You: Clean Water Starts at
Home Trifold
5 - NC Coastal Federation - "Smart
Yards"
1- CoW Citizen's Guide to Protecting
Wilmington's Waterways
198
4/23/21 Plastic Ocean
Project’s Earth
Day Celebration
Tidal Creek
Co-Op
Stormwater
Education and
Activity Booth
5- NHSWCD Rain Garden Information
Guide
5- NHSWCD Grant Programs for Water
Quality Improvements Trifold
4 - NC Coastal Federation - "Smart
Yards"
4- CoW Citizen's Guide to Protecting
Wilmington's Waterways
60
4/24/21 Tidal Creek
Farmers Market
Tidal Creek
Co-Op
Stormwater
Education, Retail,
and Activity
Booth
1- NHSWCD Rain Garden Information
Guide
1- NHSWCD Grant Programs for Water
Quality Improvements Trifold
1 - NC Coastal Federation - "Smart
Yards"
42
5/29/21 Tidal Creek
Farmers Market
Tidal Creek
Co-Op
Stormwater
Education, Retail,
and Activity
Booth
2 - NC Coastal Federation - "Smart
Yards"
2- CoW Citizen's Guide to Protecting
Wilmington's Waterways
26
6/5/21 Cape Fear River
Watch “Hello
Summer” Event
Waterline
Brewing Co.
Stormwater
Education Booth
5- NHSWCD Rain Garden Information
Guide
5- NHSWCD Grant Programs for Water
Quality Improvements Trifold
4 - NC Coastal Federation - "Smart
Yards"
4- CoW Citizen's Guide to Protecting
Wilmington's Waterways
65
6/25/21 Mud Day Wilmington
Children’s
Museum
Touch and Play:
Regional Soils
Activity Table
N/A 27

132

6/26/21 Mud Day Wilmington
Children’s
Museum
Touch and Play:
Regional Soils
Activity Table
N/A 34
6/26/21 Tidal Creek
Farmers Market
Tidal Creek
Co-Op
Education, Retail,
and Activity
Booth
N/A 13

Promote/consult on Low Impact Development (LID) including stormwater Best
Management Practices (BMPs). Activities can include providing education and technical
assistance to property owners, education and promotion through local media or distributed
publications, or providing comments to City Technical Review Committee. ($1163)

July 1 - September 30, 2020
Completed 3 plans for New Hanover County Planning regarding soil types found on proposed
building sites. Recommended LID within the means of the development and recommended using
the county LID ordinance rules. Supervisors are also working on gathering information regarding
local LID manual to encourage development of new NHC Government Complex in LID form.

October 1 – December 31, 2020
Completed 2 plans for New Hanover County Planning regarding soil types found on proposed
building sites. Recommended LID within the means of the development and recommended using
the county LID ordinance rules. Supervisors are also working on gathering information regarding
local LID manual to encourage development of new NHC Government Complex in LID form.

January 1 – March 31, 2021
Completed 4 plans for New Hanover County Planning regarding soil types found on proposed
building sites. Recommended LID within the means of the development and recommended using
the county LID ordinance rules.

April 1 – June 30, 2021
Completed 5 plans for New Hanover County Planning regarding soil types found on proposed
building sites. Recommended LID within the means of the development and recommended using
the county LID ordinance rules.

Organize/facilitate at least 2 Environmental Field Days a year serving an entire grade at a
New Hanover County School. Environmental field days will have a water quality education
component. ($2640)

Service not completed this fiscal year.

Update and maintain agency website and social media outlets to include stormwater
education materials, events, and the city’s Report Stormwater Pollution hotline. The website
will also provide links to stormwater educational materials in Spanish in an effort to reach more
minorities in our region. The city’s Report Stormwater Pollution hotline and online reporting form
will be promoted and linked to from the NHSWCD website. NC Community Conservation
Assistance Program (CCAP) and Heal Our Waterways (HOWBMP) project pictures will continue
to be labeled and uploaded and a local map showing these project locations will be available on
the website. The website will be promoted on local government TV and social media outlets.
($1540)

133

October 1 – December 31, 2020
Social Media Video Presentations
Date Platform Topic(s) and/or Activity Shared External Links # of Engagements
10/28/20 Facebook Watershed Wednesday
Video Post on Smith Creek
/ Bradley Creek Watershed
Ridge
• Viewable online:
https://fb.watch/6sffOby6-K/
• Link to COW “Get Educated”
website
https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/.../
education.../get-educated
• 604 people viewed the post
• 283 people clicked on the video
and /or link
11/4/20 Facebook Watershed Wednesday
Video Post on marshes,
estuaries, and BMPs
• Viewable online:
https://fb.watch/6sfiDz2FwA/
• Link to NC Division of Coastal
Management Report on Marsh
Sills
https://files.nc.gov/.../publications
/DCM-marshsilleval.pdf
• 1434 people viewed the post
• 279 people clicked on the video
and / or link
12/2/20 Facebook Watershed Wednesday
Video Post on tidal creeks,
filter feeders, and pet waste
pollution
• Viewable online:
https://fb.watch/6sfOzK_UVr/
• 556 people viewed the post
• 90 people clicked on the video
12/9/20 Facebook Watershed Wednesday
Video Post on rain barrels
and BMPs at COW Anne
McCrary Park
• Viewable online:
https://fb.watch/6sfSnrDFLo/
• Link to NHSWCD “Rain Barrel
Sales” website
https://soilwater.nhcgov.com/prog
rams/rain-barrels/

• 959 people viewed the post
• 149 people clicked on the video
and / or link
12/16/20 Facebook Watershed Wednesday
Video Post on stormwater
BMPs in the COW
• Viewable online:
https://fb.watch/6sfVmYjE-o/

• 1280 people viewed the post
• 173 people clicked on the video
and / or link
12/23/20 Facebook Watershed Wednesday
Video Post on Watersheds
and USGS StreamStats’s
Rain Drop Path tool
• Viewable online:
https://fb.watch/6sfXZOl2Rd/
• Link to USGS StreamStats
https://streamstats.usgs.gov/ss/

• 25 people viewed the post
• 8 people clicked on the video
and / or link
12/30/20 Facebook Watershed Wednesday
Video Post on Dissolved
Oxygen Part I
• Viewable online:
https://fb.watch/6sfZC3GWHZ/

• 857 people viewed the post
• 76 people clicked on the video
and / or link

Other:
• Updated website to include a “Resources” page on City of Wilmington’s Stormwater
Services and Stormwater Pollution Hotline. Viewable online
https://soilwater.nhcgov.com/resources/city-of-wilmington-stormwater-services/.

January 1 – March 31, 2021
Social Media & Website Presentations
Date Platform Topic(s) and/or Activity Shared External Links # of Engagements
1/7/21 Facebook Watershed Wednesday
Video Post on Dissolved
Oxygen
• Viewable online:
https://fb.watch/6sf-qqfO2M/

• 998 people viewed the post
• 86 people clicked on the video
1/9/21 Email January Monthly E-
Newsletter featuring Urban
Agriculture and Cost Share
Programs
• Viewable online:
https://soilwater.nhcgov.com/wp-
content/uploads/2021/01/ENewsle
tter_January2021.pdf
• 573 people opened the email
• 57 people clicked on the link to
read the full articles
1/13/21 Facebook Watershed Wednesday
Video Post on Dissolved
Oxygen at Greenfield Lake
• Viewable online:
https://fb.watch/6sg283dYqZ/
• 929 people viewed the post
• 78 people clicked on the video
and/or link

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with Cape Fear River
Watch
• Link to Cape Fear River Watch
CreekWatchers Program:
https://capefearriverwatch.org/cr
eekwatchers/
1/21/21 Facebook Watershed Wednesday
Video Post on BMPs at
Greenfield Lake with
NCSU
• Viewable online:
https://fb.watch/6sg67kxYLN/

• 584 people viewed the post
• 56 people clicked on the video
and/or link
1/27/21 Facebook Watershed Wednesday
Video Post, Summary of
Dissolved Oxygen
Presentations
• Viewable online:
https://fb.watch/6sg8qfagQ0/
• Link to Canines for Clean Water:
https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/..
./canines-for-clean-water...
• 99 people viewed the post
• 20 people clicked on the video
and/or link
2/3/21 Facebook Watershed Wednesday Post
on Hewletts and Bradley
Creek Watersheds
• Link to NC Coastal Federation:
https://www.nccoast.org/.../bradle
y-hewletts-watershed.../
• 307 people viewed the post
• 26 people clicked on the link
2/10/21 Facebook Watershed Wednesday Post
on Cape Fear & White Oak
River Basins
• Link to NCDENR River Basin
Map:
https://ncdenr.maps.arcgis.com/.../
PublicIn.../index.html...
• 54 people viewed the post
• 10 people clicked on the link
3/3/21 Facebook Watershed Wednesday
Video Post on Bradley
Creek
• Viewable online:
https://fb.watch/6sgbsFXTCa/

• 823 people viewed the post
• 98 people clicked on the video
3/10/21 Facebook Watershed Wednesday
Video Post on Burnt Mill
Creek
• Viewable online:
https://fb.watch/6sgd74TXOO/
• 1,161 people viewed the post
• 233 people clicked on the video
3/17/21 Facebook Watershed Wednesday
Video Post on Hewletts
Creek
• Viewable online:
https://fb.watch/6sghYGV6ao/
• 130 people viewed the post
• 17 people clicked on the video
and/or link
3/24/21 Facebook Watershed Wednesday
Video Post on Greenfield
Lake Watershed
• Viewable online:
https://fb.watch/6sgpNFOaAv/

• 375 people viewed the post
• 43 people clicked on the video
and/or link
3/30/21 Email March Monthly E-
Newsletter featuring
Grasscycling
• Viewable online:
https://soilwater.nhcgov.com/wp
-
content/uploads/2021/03/ENewsl
etter_March2021.pdf

• 547 people opened the email
• 103 people clicked on the link
to read the full articles

April 1 – June 30, 2021
Social Media & Website Presentations
Date Platform Topic(s) and/or Activity Shared External Links # of Engagements
4/29/21 Email April Monthly E-
Newsletter featuring
Nature-Based Solutions
Overview and Rain
Gardens
• Viewable online:
https://soilwater.nhcgov.com/wp
-content/uploads/2021/04/E-
Newsletter-April-2021-1.pdf

• 481 people opened the email
• 70 people clicked on the link to
read the full articles
5/25/21 Facebook
&
YouTube
“The Dustbusters: Soil
Science” Video with the
N.C. Arboretum and
ecoEXPORE
• Viewable online:
https://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=ISmubXS96WA

• 139 Views on YouTube
5/28/21 Star News
Newspap
er
Article Entitled Addressing
the Condition of
Watersheds in New
Hanover County
• Viewable online:
https://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=ISmubXS96WA

•
5/29/21 Email May Monthly E-Newsletter
featuring Green
Infrastructure
• Viewable online:
https://soilwater.nhcgov.com/wp
-
content/uploads/2021/05/May20
21ENewsletter.pdf

• 541 people opened the email
• 90 people clicked on the link to
read the full articles

135

6/15/21 Facebook Watershed & River Basin
Education and Resource
Sharing Post
• Link to River Runner Rain Drop
Path from Greensboro, NC to
Wilmington, NC: https://river-
runner.samlearner.com/?lng=-
79.93764462797107&lat=36.046
05315835032&fbclid=IwAR2ci_j
fHtnKZWzVkBlT5sYZibq9uGpZ
WkFKKQlN_oK6PkVufHJ_8t-
zFIk
• 120 people viewed the post
• 17 people clicked on the video
and/or link
6/25/21 Email June Monthly E-Newsletter
featuring Vehicle &
Pressure Washing
• Viewable online:
https://soilwater.nhcgov.com/wp
-
content/uploads/2021/06/June20
21ENewsletter.pdf

• 506 people opened the email
• 61 people clicked on the link to
read the full articles

Public Involvement/Volunteer Efforts Total Allocated Cost: $1,210
Encourage public participation by engaging city residents/businesses/civic groups in a
volunteer Storm Drain Marking program in the city to involve and educate the community
about stormwater pollution. A minimum of 1 volunteer day with at least 5 community
volunteers and 14 drains marked is required. Agencies are welcome to do additional storm
drain marking beyond this requirement. Educational doorhangers will be distributed to
surrounding residences/businesses during storm drain marking. Assist in identifying areas to mark
drains, educate volunteers about stormwater pollution and the purpose of the storm drain marking
program, train volunteers in marking and safety, use supplied markers, and help provide oversight
of the program. A trained NHSWCD staff member and/or trained intern is required to be present
during all storm drain marking activities and with each volunteer group. ($1210)

Full service not completed this fiscal year.
• Promoted Storm Drain Marking program on Facebook on 3/4/21. Promotional ad reached
237 people and had 16 engagements.
https://www.facebook.com/NHSWCD/photos/a.524284947597685/5842004919158968/
• Amy Renfranz was trained on storm drain marking policies and procedures on 5/13/21.
• Scheduled a storm drain marking event on 6/2/21 with a volunteer group from Altr’d State
Clothing and UNCW Environmental Sciences groups. Postponed due to weather.
Rescheduled for 6/22/21; canceled due to weather. Rescheduled for 6/29/21; canceled due
to weather.

Programs/Partnerships Total Allocated Cost: $4152
Administer and partner with the City of Wilmington Stormwater Services to hold a public
rain barrel sale. NHSWCD will promote the sale using methods such as local government
television, agency website, community events, signage, and media contact. Rain barrel buyers will
be asked to give their watershed location in order to educate them about watersheds and
track/record volume reduction for the Heal Our Waterways Bradley/Hewletts Creek watershed
restoration effort. ($1457)

July 1 - September 30, 2020
Public Rain Barrel Sale
Date of Sale Sale Location # of 60 gallon barrels sold # of 80 gallon barrels sold

7/9/20 NHC Government Center 5 10

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8/13/20 NHC Government Center 5 9
9/10/20 NHC Government Center 2 5

October 1 – December 31, 2020
Public Rain Barrel Sale
Date of Sale Sale Location # of 60 gallon barrels sold:
# at sale / # outside of sale
# of 80 gallon barrels sold:
# at sale / # outside of sale
10/8/20 NHC Government Center 5 / 0 5 / 1
11/12/20 NHC Government Center 0 / 0 4 / 3
12/10/20 NHC Government Center 0 / 2 2 / 3

Other:
• Developed an updated Monthly Rain Barrel Sale brochure. Viewable online
https://soilwater.nhcgov.com/programs/rain-barrels/.
• Developed a document on “Installing Your Rain Barrel” to use as a handout when a
purchase is made. Viewable online https://soilwater.nhcgov.com/wp-
content/uploads/2021/01/Installing-Your-Rain-Barrel-1.pdf .

January 1 – March 31, 2021
Public Rain Barrel Sale
Date of Sale Sale Location # of 60 gallon barrels sold:
# at sale / # outside of sale
# of 80 gallon barrels sold:
# at sale / # outside of sale
1/14/21 NHC Government Center 0 / 4 1 / 3
2/11/21 NHC Government Center 0 / 0 0 / 1
3/11/21 NHC Government Center 1 / 4 3 / 13

Other:
• Updated the department’s website to communicate the relocation of the monthly sale
(from the West Entrance to the South Entrance) due to construction.
https://soilwater.nhcgov.com/programs/rain-barrels/
• Promoted rain barrel sales through social media, including eight separate posts about the
rain barrel sales during the quarter. As an example:
https://www.facebook.com/NHSWCD/posts/5605495359476593 .

April 1 – June 30, 2021
Public Rain Barrel Sale
Date of Sale Sale Location # of 60 gallon barrels sold:
# at sale / # outside of sale
# of 80 gallon barrels sold:
# at sale / # outside of sale
4/8/21 NHC Government Center 1 / 5 2 / 4
5/13/21 NHC Government Center 2 / 4 7 / 3
6/10/21 NHC Government Center 1 /0 6 / 4

Serve as a partner organization on grant projects or initiatives that benefit local surface
water quality and water resources within the city such as the Lower Cape Fear Stewardship
Development Awards Program. The Stewardship Development program recognizes developers
for demonstrating outstanding environmental stewardship such as stormwater reduction and LID
practices through the protection and awareness of our water and natural resources. ($2695)

July 1 - September 30, 2020

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Lower Cape Fear Stewardship Development Coalition: Attended meetings 7/8/2020, 8/5/2020,
and 9/9/2020. Completed audit and election of officers. Staff will continue to serve as co-chair to
the education committee and scholarship committee. Discussed ways to make the scholarship
program more successful, as well as who to encourage to apply for the 20/21 program year. Have
the potential for 3-5 projects in the region. Event space has been reserved, but committee is
proceeding with caution due to covid-19 and may have to make it a virtual event depending on the
circumstances in February 2021. Staff is also providing hosting for online meetings through zoom
due to covid-19 conditions.

Emergency Watershed Protection Program: Provided updates for City staff to attend online
training 8/12/2020 and field training 9/24/2020. This training was designed to help sponsors learn
how to complete initial work or a DSR, so that the process could be more efficient in the future,
and get creeks cleaner quicker, as well as provide more money for the sponsor.

October 1 – December 31, 2020
The LCFSDC monthly meeting occurred on October 14th, 2020. Haley Moccia attended the
meeting in Dru Harrison's place due to a meeting conflict with the NHSWCD monthly meeting.
The Annual 2021 meeting was in its planning stages and members discussed possible outcomes
and solutions since COVID-19 was likely to still be impacting large group gatherings at the time
of the awards ceremony. One idea that was discussed was having the awards broadcast online for
people that were unable or did not feel comfortable attending the event. A second idea was to have
the event fully online, but after much deliberation and discussion, it was determined that the event
would be better off being canceled until next year. The deciding factor in this decision was the fact
that many of the groups that were applying to be considered for an award had not turned in their
application. Therefore, even if the event was held this year, there might not be any complete
applications to choose from. It was also decided that the members of the SDC would reach out to
the prospective groups trying to apply for an award and let them know the event is canceled this
year and that they are welcome to complete an application for consideration next year.

Participated with UNCW grant program. Provided 22 hours of in-kind support during meetings by
giving expertise and advised on retrofit projects.

January 1 – March 31, 2021
Participated in the NHC Watershed Round table meeting 1/25/2021. Provided update to group
regarding installation of BMPs through cost share programs as well as progress on Pages Creek
Watershed Restoration Plan. Currently working with Moffitt & Nichol and Cape Fear Resource
Conservation & Development to find funding to complete the current draft plan. Currently an
application to NC Land & Water Trust has been submitted to complete the plan.

April 1 – June 30, 2021
Lower Cape Fear SDC met 5/12/21 and 6/9/21. Staff oversees nominating committee for next
year’s awards year. A potential of 7 projects may apply for the upcoming FY21-22. The
committee discussed distributing extra scholarships as well since the funds are available to do so.
Applications for next year are due at the end of August.

Contract Administration Total Allocated Cost: $2970
Quarterly progress reports and invoices will be submitted in accordance with the following
provisions:

138

Submit cumulative quarterly progress reports and invoices according to the following quarters:
July 1 - Sept 30 (1st Quarter); October 1 - Dec. 31 (2nd Quarter); January 1 -March 31 (3rd
Quarter); April 1 - June 30 (4th Quarter). The 4th quarter progress report will serve as a compiled
year-end summary report and will be included in the City’s NPDES annual report.

Quarterly reports and invoices are due within 12 calendar days of the quarter end date and will
follow templates and instructions set forth by Stormwater Services.

If the reporting due date falls on a weekend or a city-observed holiday, reports are due the
following weekday by 5pm. Any reports received late, including Quarterly Progress
Reports, Quarterly Invoices, other contract reporting, year-end compilation of
records/reports, etc. will result in an automatic overall reduction of the quarterly invoice
payment amount according to the following schedule:
▪ 1-10 calendar days late - 10% reduction of the quarterly payment amount
▪ 11+ calendar days late - 20% reduction of the quarterly payment amount

The quarterly invoice should use the supplied template which shows the % of each service
completed each quarter, invoice amount, and amount remaining to be paid. Invoices will be paid
once the quarterly progress report and invoice(s) are received and reviewed by the City for
adequate progress. Non-performance or inadequate progress may result in non-payment or
reduction of payment. No pre-payment of services will occur.

Reports and invoices that do not follow templates/instructions will be returned for correction;
payment will be processed once updated reports and invoices are received, reviewed, and
approved.

NHSWCD will maintain all records and reports related to this contract on a fiscal year (FY) basis
(July 1-June 30). These records should be retained for a period of at least 5 years. These files are
public record and should be accessible at the contracted agency location. In addition, an annual
compilation of all contract documents, records, reports, invoices, and pertinent educational
materials or related materials will be provided to the City of Wilmington Stormwater Services on a
USB Flash Drive, CD, or DVD (June 1 – July 31) for the entire contract year within 12 calendar
days of the 4th quarter end date.

Contact person: Stormwater Services requires one main point of contact for the implementation,
management, communication and reporting of this annual contract. This staff person will be the
individual that implements the majority of contract services, and therefore will be the most
familiar with the contract. The designated contact person is: Dru Harrison. ($2970)

Other: Do not assign a cost.
Assist Stormwater Services in implementing additional public outreach, education,
involvement, and participation activities required by federal NPDES storm water permit.
Summary reports and information may be included in the City’s NPDES yearly report to the State.

In addition, significant water quality problems or suspected problems identified while
implementing contract services will be reported immediately to the appropriate officials, including

139

the city’s Stormwater Compliance Officer, Corey Boyett at 910-341-0092 or
910-343-4777.

Report compiled by: Dru Harrison & Amy Renfranz Date: June 30, 2021

140

APPENDIX D: ILLICIT DISCHARGE DETECTION AND ELIMINATION (IDDE)

Dry Weather Flow Monitoring Locations

• Upper Cape Fear River Watershed. – 8 outfalls investigated.
• Greenfield Lake Watershed – 2 outfalls investigated
• Lower Cape Fear River Watershed - 5 outfalls investigated.
• Barnards Creek Watershed – 6 outfalls investigated

IDDE Staff Training (Virtual)

April 14, 2021 – 6 Code Compliance Officers
April 23, 2021 – 5 Engineering Construction Inspectors
April 30, 2021 – 8 Engineering Staff

141

Policy for Reporting and Documentation of Sanitary Sewer Overflows and System Leaks
Cape Fear Public Utility Authority and City of Wilmington
Purpose:
The purpose of this document is to establish agreed upon procedures for the Cape Fear Public
Utility Authority (CFPUA) to follow regarding reporting and documentation of sanitary sewer
overflows (SSO) that impact the City of Wilmington Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System
(MS4). These guidelines will enable the City to comply with NPDES Phase II Stormwater permit
reporting requirements as well as to provide assistance to CFPUA in mitigating any potential
threat to public health or the environment.
Reporting Requirements:
All SSOs resulting in discharge to the City of Wilmington MS4, or causing possible contamination
of stormwater discharging to the storm system, must be reported to the City within 48 hours of
occurrence in accordance with City Code Chapter 12, section 12-24. Failure to comply may result
in a notice of violation (NOV) for the CFPUA. Fines for non-compliance range up to $10,000
based on quantity, risk to the public, environment damage and degree of negligence as
documented in the City Code. The following table documents the minimum information required
for sanitary sewer overflows and sewage leaks that may impact the City’s MS4.
Date of
Spill/Leak Location Volume Corrective Action NCDWQ Form Analytical Data
SSO
< 1000 gal x x x x
> 1000 gal x x x x x x
System Leak x x x x x as needed

Spills greater than 1,000 gallons require an additional completed copy of the DWQ’s Collection
System Sanitary Sewer Overflow Reporting Form (CS-SSO) provided at the same time as when
provided to the State. Failure to comply may result in an NOV for CFPUA. Clean up
requirements are in accordance with the CFPUA’s Clean up Procedure Policy. This information
will also be used in documenting the compliance with the City of Wilmington’s annual NPDES
Phase II Stormwater report to NCDWQ.
City of Wilmington Contact Information:
Spills less than 1,000 gallons
Use the Pollution Prevention Hotline: [phone]

142

Or go to: www.wilmingtonnc.gov/reportstormwaterpollution and fill out the on line form.

Spills greater than 1000 gallons or system leaks
1) Corey Boyett
Public Services Compliance Officer
910-341-0092
[e-mail]

2) Brian Rostholder
Public Services Compliance Officer
910-341 -0191
[e-mail]

3) Jim Quinn
Stormwater Specialist
910-341-4694
[e-mail]

4) Fred Royal
Stormwater Services Manager
910-341-5818
[e-mail]

143

(From Page 8 of City of Wilmington Illicit Detection and Elimination Program Manual)
Dry Weather Flow Inspection Program
In accordance with permit requirements for detecting dry weather flows, the City is developing
and implementing a program for conducting inspections throughout the MS4 to detect dry weather
flows. Dry weather flows are defined as any flow in the MS4 that occurs after a 72 hour period
without rain. The objective is to identify and eliminate flows that contain pollutant or pathogen
loads. Such flows vary in source, content, and frequency, thereby imparting variable impacts
within the larger MS4 and the final receiving water bodies. Promptly identifying dry weather
flows is instrumental in recognizing and addressing deleterious illicit discharges. As the program
develops, procedures will be evaluated and modified with the aim of more effectively detecting
and eliminating illicit discharges.
Employees of the City familiar with outfall inspection procedures will conduct the inspections.
Inspections will be conducted only during dry periods to facilitate identification of only those
flows unassociated with allowable stormwater flows. Furthermore, those outfalls located along
tidally influenced reaches will be inspected at low tide; should the outfall still be submerged at
low tide, the stormwater conduit will then be traced upgrade to the nearest manhole or observable
location beyond tidal influence, where an inspection will be more likely to detect a dry weather
flow. A similar modified observation procedure will be used for those points where direct
inspection of the outfall point is not possible; observations will be made immediately upgrade in
the system at an appropriate location for dry weather inspection.
The inspection itself will consist of an initial visual inspection of the outfall to determine the
presence or absence of water or liquid flow. Photographs will be taken of the inspection location
and saved along with the inspection record containing data describing the conditions observed at
the outfall or observation point. . The detection of any suspicious dry weather flow will prompt a
service request for a field screening as described in later sections of this manual outlined as Steps
1-4, in which physical, chemical, and biological parameters may be analyzed to determine the
nature and source of any illicit discharge.
The inspection records will be stored in the GIS as tables. Screen shots of the actual ArcPad
routine and a diagram showing the database designed for storing these records is shown in
Appendix E: Field Data Collection of Dry Weather Inspections using ArcPad.
Given that the City is located in a coastal area with tidal influence in parts of the MS4 and
numerous groundwater sources infiltrating or directly routed into the MS4, our strategy for
performing the observations will be adjusted accordingly. The initial location of all major outfall
points has provided the starting point for the Dry Weather Flow Inspection Program. Each of the
major outfall points will be inspected, photographed and have an observation record saved to the
GIS database as described above. Following completion of this effort, a similar systematic
inspection of major trunk lines and areas of interest will begin.
The selection of major trunk lines for inspection will be a strategically targeted effort to isolate

144

those portions of the drainage system that may be contributing to any dry weather flow. At this
point, we envision inspections progressing up a selected trunk line from the outfall so that any
contributing dry weather flow source areas can be identified and investigation into the source can
begin. MS4 structures which have sewer cross pipes associated with them are at the greatest risk
for sewage contamination; therefore along with the trunk line inspection effort, special attention
will be given to inspecting any MS4 structures or junctions which have a sewer cross pipe passing
through the structure. Any identified illicit discharge encountered during the both the trunk line
and sewer cross pipe inspection process will result in a service request being generated.
The selection of major trunk lines and points along the trunk line for inspection will be scheduled
with consideration given to several influencing factors including: weather conditions, the degree
to which stormwater infrastructure mapping is reliable and complete within a given area, suspicion
of negative inputs to the MS4 based upon annual water quality reports, 303d listings, and/or
industrial land use designations. Also, indications of illicit discharge observations from the MS4
mapping crew will prompt inspections. Dry weather inspections will be performed at 25% of the
total number of outfalls per year depending on weather conditions.

145

APPENDIX E: CONSTRUCTION SITE RUNOFF CONTROLS

Included in this section:
New Hanover County Erosion & Sedimentation Control Ordinance

New Hanover County Ordinance:
The following are excerpts culled from the New Hanover County Erosion and Sedimentation
Control Ordinance:

The New Hanover County erosion and sedimentation control ordinance is adopted for the
purposes of:
(1) Regulating certain land disturbing activity to control accelerated erosion and sedimentation in
order to prevent the pollution of water and other damage to lakes, watercourses, and other public
and private property by sedimentation; and
(2) Establishing procedures through which these purposes can be fulfilled.
General requirements of the permit include among others:
(a) Plan required. No person shall initiate any land disturbing activity which uncovers more than
one acre without having an erosion control plan approved by the county. No land disturbing
activity may be initiated until the county is notified of the date that the land disturbing activity will
begin.
(b) Protection of property. Persons conducting land disturbing activity shall take all reasonable
measures to protect all public and private property from damage caused by such activity.
(c) More restrictive rules shall apply. Whenever conflicts exist between federal, state, or local
laws, ordinances, or rules, the more restrictive provision shall apply.
(e) Inspections. Any and all applicable intermediate inspections may be held in any trade
(building, mechanical, electric and/or plumbing) if any land disturbing activity, on a tract,
including single-family residences, is found not to be in compliance with any part of this article.
(f) Building finals. Building finals and/or certificates of occupancy may not be issued if any land
disturbing activity, including single-family residences, is found not to be in compliance with any
part of this article.
Mandatory Standards For Land Disturbing Activity

146

No land disturbing activity subject to the control of this article shall be undertaken except in
accordance with the following mandatory standards:
(1) Buffer zone.
a. No land disturbing activity during period of construction or improvement to land shall be
permitted in proximity to a lake or natural watercourse unless a buffer zone is provided along the
margin of the watercourse of sufficient width to confine visible siltation within the 25 percent of
the buffer zone nearer the land disturbing activity. Waters that have been classified as trout waters
by the environmental management commission shall have an undisturbed buffer zone 25 feet wide
or of sufficient width to confine visible siltation within the 25 percent of the buffer zone nearest
the land disturbing activity, whichever is greater. Provided, however, that the county may approve
plans which include land disturbing activity along trout waters when the duration of said
disturbance would be temporary and the extent of said disturbance would be minimal. This
subdivision shall not apply to a land disturbing activity in connection with the construction of
facilities to be located on, over, or under a lake or natural watercourse.
b. Unless otherwise provided, the width of a buffer zone is measured from the edge of the water
to the nearest edge of the disturbed area, with 25 percent of the strip nearer the land disturbing
activity containing natural or artificial means of confining visible siltation.
c. The 25-foot minimum width for an undisturbed buffer zone adjacent to designated trout waters
shall be measured horizontally from the top of the bank.
d. Where a temporary and minimal disturbance is permitted as an exception by subsection (1)a.
of this section, land disturbing activities in the buffer zone adjacent to designated trout waters
shall be limited to a maximum of ten percent of the total length of the buffer zone within the tract
to be distributed such that there is not more than 100 linear feet of disturbance in each 1,000 linear
feet of buffer zone. Larger areas may be disturbed with the written approval of the director.
e. No land disturbing activity shall be undertaken within a buffer zone adjacent to designated
trout waters that will cause adverse temperature fluctuations, as set forth in 15 NCAC 2B.0211
"Fresh Surface Water Classification and Standards", in these waters.
(2) Graded slopes and fills. The angle for graded slopes and fills shall be no greater than the
angle, from zero to nineteen degrees, which can be retained by vegetative cover or other adequate
erosion control devices or structures. Only when approved by the county may slopes be steeper
than two foot of run to one foot of rise. In any event, slopes left exposed will, within 15 working
days or 30 calendar days, whichever is shorter, of completion of any phase of grading, be planted
or otherwise provided with ground cover, devices, or structures sufficient to restrain erosion.
(3) Ground cover. Whenever land disturbing activity is undertaken on a tract comprising more
than one acre, if more than one acre is uncovered, the person conducting the land disturbing
activity shall install such sedimentation and erosion control devices and practices as are sufficient
to retain the sediment generated by the land disturbing activity within the boundaries of the tract
during construction upon and development of said tract, and shall plant or otherwise provide a
permanent ground cover sufficient to restrain erosion after completion of construction or
development. Except as provided in section 23-238(b)(5), provisions for a ground cover sufficient

147

to restrain erosion must be accomplished within 30 working days or 120 calendar days following
completion of construction or development whichever period is shorter.
(4) Prior plan approval. No person shall initiate any land disturbing activity on a tract if more
than one acre is to be uncovered unless, 30 or more days prior to initiating the activity, an erosion
and sedimentation control plan for such activity must be both filed with and approved by the
county. The county shall forward to the director of the division of water quality a copy of each
erosion and sedimentation control plan for a land disturbing activity that involves the utilization of
ditches for the purpose of dewatering or lowering the water table of the tract.
Design and Performance Standards.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b)(2) of this section, erosion and sedimentation control
measures, structures and devices shall be so planned, designed and constructed as to provide
protection from the calculated maximum peak of runoff from the ten-year storm. Runoff rates
shall be calculated using the procedures in the USDA, Soil Conservation Service's "National
Engineering Field Manual for Conservation Practices," or other acceptable calculation procedures.
(b) In high quality water (HQW) zones, the following design standards shall apply:
(1) Uncovered areas in HQW zones shall be limited at any time to a maximum total area
within the boundaries of the tract of 20 acres. Only the portion of the land disturbing
activity within an HQW zone shall be governed by this section. Larger areas may be
uncovered within the boundaries of the tract with the written approval of the director.
(2) Erosion and sedimentation control measures, structures and devices within HQW
zones shall be so planned, designed and constructed to provide protection from the runoff
of the 25-year storm which produces the maximum peak rate of runoff as calculated
according to procedures in the United States Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation
Service's "National Engineering Field Manual for Conservation Practices" or according to
procedures adopted by any other agency of this state or the United States or any generally
recognized organization or association.
(3) Sediment basins within HQW zones shall be designed and constructed such that the
basin will have a settling efficiency of at least 70 percent for the 40-micron (0.04 mm)
size soil particle transported into the basin by the runoff of that two-year storm which
produces the maximum peak rate of runoff as calculated according to procedures in the
United States Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Services "National
Engineering Field Manual for Conservation Practices" or according to procedures adopted
by any other agency of this state or the United States or any generally recognized
organization or association.
(4) Newly constructed open channels in HQW zones shall be designed and constructed
with side slopes no steeper than three horizontal to one vertical if a vegetative cover is
used for stabilization unless soil conditions permit a steeper slope or where the slopes are
stabilized by using mechanical devices, structural devices or other acceptable ditch liners.
In any event, the angle for side slopes shall be sufficient to restrain accelerated erosion.

148

(5) Ground cover sufficient to restrain erosion must be provided for any portion of a land
disturbing activity in a HQW zone within 15 working days or 60 calendar days following
completion of construction or development, whichever period is shorter.
Responsibility For Maintenance.
During the development of a site, the person conducting the land disturbing activity shall install and/or
maintain all temporary and permanent erosion and sedimentation control measures as required by the
approved plan or any provision of this article, the act, or any order adopted pursuant to this article or the
act. After site development, the land owner or person in possession or control of the land shall install and/or
maintain all necessary permanent erosion and sediment control measures, except those measures installed
within a road or street right-of-way or easement accepted for maintenance by a governmental agency.
The full text of this article can be found under Chapter 23, Article VI of the Code of Ordinances County of
New Hanover, North Carolina.

149

APPENDIX F: POST-CONSTRUCTION SITE RUNOFF CONTROLS

Included in this section:
Inspection Reporting Summary
Stormwater Detention Facility Compliance Inspection Report

Dates of Inspections June/July 2020 June/July 2021
Total # Sites Inspected 89 119
Response Letter Severity
Level 1 (first letter) 39 52
Level 2 (second letter)* 0 0
Level 3 (third letter)** 0 0
# of Sites Requiring Maintenance 39 52

*If no response from first letter after 60 days, second letter is sent **If no response from second letter after 60 days, third letter is sent imposing civil fines

TBD = To Be Determined

150

Stormwater Detention Facility
Compliance Inspection Report
SITE:
DATE:
LOCATION:

The Stormwater Management for Post-Construction Ordinance requires a bi-annual inspection of all structural water
quality detention facilities to ensure that they are being properly maintained and are functioning as originally designed.

The results of this inspection are as follows:

Visual inspection found no apparent problems with the facility.
Please complete the following repairs and/or maintenance items within 60 days of this report

Slopes Outlet Structure
Repair eroded pond slopes Remove debris obstructing outlet structure
Repair erosion at pond inlet Remove obstruction to orifice
Repair erosion at outlet structure Repair and/or replace trash rack
Re-seed and/or repair bare areas Repair trash screen for lower orifice
Mow and regularly maintain vegetation Remove vegetation around outlet structure
Regrade slopes and/or aquatic shelf Pond Main Body
Inlets Repair vegetative shelf
Remove vegetative obstruction Remove sediment accumulation
Remove sediment accumulation within pipes Remove floating debris and/or debris on slopes
Emergency Spillway Remove vegetation in pond that has reduced surface area
Remove debris located in spillway Other
Remove trees and woody vegetation ____________________
Repair eroded areas and/or rip-rap ____________________

Additional comments and maintenance concerns:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Proper operation and maintenance are the sole responsibility of the property owner, and a vital part of ensuring the effectiveness of
your detention facility. If you fail to complete the above maintenance in a timely manner, please be advised that the City o f
Wilmington reserves the right to complete the maintenance, and assess the owner for any costs or damages incurred. You will be

151

notified if the City chooses to pursue this action.

Please inform this office of the date when work is completed, and if you should have any questions or commen ts concerning these
items or future maintenance issues, please feel free to contact me at [phone].

Inspected by: Title:

152

Training

153

Summary of Plan Review Activities 2020-2021

Type of Permit Type of New SCM Permit
Number
Permit
Issue Date
Pervious
(Y or N)
# of new
SCM's
Onsite
Notes
Permit Revision None 2017018R2 7/15/2020 N 0 No new SCM's
New Permit None 2020023 7/17/2020 N 0 Offsite Permit (Wet Pond)
Permit Revision None 2019031R2 7/20/2020 N 0 No new SCM's
New Permit Infiltration Trench 2020021 7/21/2020 N 3 3 Infiltration Trenches
New Permit None 2020025 7/23/2020 N 0 No SCM's Required, washed stone gravel parking lot
Permit Revision None 2017052R1 7/29/2020 Y 0 No new SCM's
Permit Revision None 2017001R3 8/6/2020 N 0 No new SCM's
Permit Revision None 2003029R4 8/14/2020 N 0 No new SCM's
Permit Revision None 2019045R3 8/21/2020 N 0 No new SCM's
Permit Revision None 2014027R5 9/1/2020 N 0 No new SCM's
New Permit Underground Infiltration Trench, Permeable Pavement 2020026 9/8/2020 Y 2 1 Permeable Pavement Area (8,785sf)
New Permit Wet Pond 2020027 9/18/2020 N 2
New Permit 2020022 9/18/2020
Permit Revision 2017045R4 9/29/2020
Permit Revision None 2016039R2 10/12/2020 N 0 No new SCM's
New Permit 2020031 10/20/2020
New Permit 2020030 10/20/2020
Permit Revision 2005018R56 10/27/2020
Permit Revision None 2019052R1 11/4/2020 N 0 No SCM's Required
Permit Revision 2019023R1 11/6/2020
New Permit None 2020034 11/10/2020 N 0 No SCM's Required
New Permit Infiltration Basin 2018041R1 11/10/2020 N 1
New Permit 2 Underground Infiltration Trenches, Permeable Pavement 2019051 11/12/2020 Y 7 5 Permeable Areas (10,175/8,186/7,872/11,988/6614)
Permit Revision 2015034R4 11/17/2020
Permit Revision 2017003R2 11/17/2020
New Permit 2020043 12/1/2020
New Permit Permeable Pavers 2020029 12/3/2020 Y 1 1 Permeable Paver Area (12,066sf)
New Permit None 2020035 12/3/2020 N 0
New Permit Pervious Concrete 2020033 12/4/2020 Y 1 1 Pervious Concrete Area (3,834sf)
New Permit Stormwater Wetland, Permeable Pavement 2020036 12/4/2020 Y 2 1 Permeable Paver Area (20,800sf)
Permit Revision 2010018R3 12/8/2020
New Permit Permeable Pavement 2020042 12/11/2020 Y 1 1 Permeable Paver Area (2,524sf)
New Permit None 2020037 12/16/2020 N 0
New Permit None 2020037 12/16/2020 N 0
Permit Revision None 2006004R2 12/21/2020 N 0
New Permit 2020044 12/29/2020
New Permit Permeable Pavement 2020039 12/29/2020 Y 1 1 Permeable Paver Area (5,200sf)
Permit Revision 97033R1 1/6/2021
New Permit None 2020038 1/21/2021 N 0 Offsite Permit
New Permit 2021001 1/21/2021
Permit Revision None 2019027R1 2/1/2021 N 0 No new SCM's
New Permit None 2021002 2/3/2021 N 0 No SCM's Required
New Permit Wet Detention Basin 2020032 2/9/2021 N 1
New Permit 2020041 2/12/2021
New Permit None 2021005 2/17/2021 N 0 No SCM's Required
New Permit None 2021008 2/23/2021 N 0 No SCM's Required
New Permit 2020040 3/9/2021
New Permit None 2021003 3/11/2021 N 0
New Permit 2021012 3/16/2021
New Permit None 2021006 3/23/2021 N 0
Permit Revision Wet Detention Basins 2018029R1 3/26/2021 N 2
New Permit None 2021013 3/29/2021 N 0
New Permit Permeable Pavement 2021015 4/1/2021 Y 3 3 Pervious Concrete Areas (2,353/1,892/3,230)
New Permit 2021014 4/6/2021
Permit Revision 2005018R7 4/6/2021
New Permit Pervious Concrete 2021017 4/12/2021 Y 1 1 Pervious Concrete Area (4,410sf)
New Permit Permeable Pavement 2021004 4/26/2021 Y 2 2 Pervious Concrete Areas (2,124/1,051)
New Permit Wet Detention Basin, Underground Infiltration Trench 2021009 4/27/2021 N 2
New Permit 2021020 4/30/2021
New Permit 5 Infiltration Basins, 1 Permeable Pavement 2021011 4/30/2021 Y 6 1 Pervious Concrete Area (3,783sf)
New Permit 2021019 4/30/2021
Permit Revision 99064R1 4/30/2021
New Permit None 2021022 5/6/2021 N 0
New Permit 2021021 5/11/2021
New Permit 2021023 5/11/2021
Permit Revision 2013018R5 5/11/2021
New Permit None 2021018 5/14/2021 N 0 No SCM's Required
New Permit Wet Detention Basin 2021024 5/17/2021 N 1
New Permit 2021025 5/18/2021
New Permit None 2021007 5/27/2021 N 0
Permit Revision None 2020035R1 5/27/2021 N 0
New Permit 2021016 6/4/2021
Permit Revision Permeable Sidewalk 2018033R2 6/21/2021 Y 1 1 Pervious Concrete Area (1,163sf)
Permit Revision 2019008R1 6/28/2021
New Permit Infiltration Basins 2021029 6/29/2021 N 2 2 Infiltration Basins

154

APPENDIX G: POLLUTION PREVENTION & GOOD HOUSEKEEPING FOR
MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS
No Employee training was conducted this reporting year due to the Covid-19 safety restrictions. Training is
scheduled for July 2021 and Winter 2022..

155

APPENDIX H: TOTAL MAXIMUM DAILY LOADS (TMDL)

Bradley & Hewletts Creek Watershed Restoration Plan
• Heal Our Waterways Program
• Cumulative Year End Reports for Contractual/Cooperative Agreements with:
− New Hanover Soil & Water Conservation District (HOWBMP)
DATE OF
EVENT/
ACTIVITY
EVENT/ACTIVITY AUDIENCE DELIVERED BY
(AGENCY)
METHOD OF DELIVERY / MESSAGE ATTENDANCE/
PARTICIPATION
Events
8/22/2020 HOW Booth @
Wilmington
Farmer's Market
Homeowners
within the
Bradley &
Hewletts Creek
Watersheds
HOW Educational booth with giveaways,
handouts, and a raffle prize.
35 Visitors
10/17/2020 HOW Booth @
Wilmington
Farmer's Market
Homeowners
within the
Bradley &
Hewletts Creek
Watersheds
HOW Educational booth with giveaways,
handouts, and a raffle prize.
25 Visitors
11/14/2020 HOW Booth @
Wilmington
Farmer's Market
Homeowners
within the
Bradley &
Hewletts Creek
Watersheds
HOW Educational booth with giveaways,
handouts, and a raffle prize.
30 Visitors
11/20/2020 Volunteer Rain
Garden Planting
Event @ Suite
Services Loop,
UNCW
UNCW
students, staff,
community
members
HOW; UNCW;
NCCF
Socially distanced event where
UNCW students, staff, and
community members planted a
recently installed rain garden at
Suite Services Loop
15 volunteers
3/13/2021 HOW Booth @
Wilmington
Farmer's Market
Homeowners
within the
Bradley &
Hewletts Creek
Watersheds
HOW Educational booth with giveaways,
handouts, and a raffle prize.
10 Raffle
participants; 20
Visitors
4/10/2021 HOW Booth @
Wilmington
Farmer's Market
Homeowners
within the
Bradley &
Hewletts Creek
Watersheds
HOW Educational booth with giveaways,
handouts, and a raffle prize.
12 Raffle
Participants; 25
Visitors
4/27/2021 Tour of SWDS @
Anne McCrary
Park
Homeowners
within the
Bradley &
Hewletts Creek
Watersheds
HOW Provided a tour of stormwater
solutions found at Anne McCrary
Park to attendees
4 Registered
Attendees
Presentations
7/24/2020 Interview with
UNCW professor
regarding
position within
Stormwater
Services & local
government
UNCW
Engineering
class
HOW Zoom interview with professor Online course
of 35 students
11/23/2020 Enviroscape
Presentations
New Hanover
County 8th
grade students
COW 1-hour long presentation via Zoom
featuring the Enviroscape model
35 students

156

11/24/2020 Enviroscape
Presentations
New Hanover
County 8th
grade students
COW 1-hour long presentation via Zoom
featuring the Enviroscape model
30 students
12/1/2020 Enviroscape
Presentations
New Hanover
County 8th
grade students
COW 1-hour long presentation via Zoom
featuring the Enviroscape model
50 students
3/17/2021 "Stormwater
Solutions"
presentation for
NCSU Co-
operative
Extension's
Backyard
Sustainability
Series
Homeowners
within New
Hanover
County
HOW 1-hour long presentation discussing
the HOW Program and various
stormwater solutions that can be
incorporated around homes.
35 Attendees
4/22/2021 Interview for
UNCW
"Sustainabili-tea"
Series
UNCW
Students,
UNCW
Sustainability
peers
COW 1-hour long interview discussing
what it's like to work in a
sustainability position for a
municipality and some of the major
skills/lessons learned
15 students
6/8/2021 "Bradley &
Hewletts Creeks
Watershed
Restoration Plan"
Homeowners
within New
Hanover
County
HOW 1-hour long presentation discussing
the history of the watershed
restoration plan, the HOW Program,
and future initiatives.
74 attendees
Informational Website
Ongoing Heal Our
Waterways
informational
website
healourwaterway
s.org
Watershed
residents
General public
HOW Continuously updated, dedicated
Heal Our Waterways website
2501 unique
page views as
of
3091 total page
views. Data as
of 6/30/2020
Media Advertising Campaigns
10/19/20 -
11/18/20
WHQR PSA Fall
Campaign
WHQR
listeners
WHQR; HOW Two rotating PSAs during drivetime
announcing availability for HOA
presentations and re-routing
downspouts.
23 Spots during
drivetime, once
per weekday
9/14/20 -
11/15/20
WECT Fall Rain
Barrel Campaign
Residents
within the
Bradley &
Hewletts Creek
Watersheds
WECT; HOW Video pre-roll, weather channel
display banners, and targeted
Facebook posts featuring the
monthly NHC rain barrel sale.
Ads Booked:
212,000
Ads Served:
323,539
Engagements:
1,495
Engagement
Rate: 0.46%

157

3/15/21 -
5/15/21
WECT Spring
Campaign
Residents
within the
Bradley &
Hewletts Creek
Watersheds
WECT; HOW Video pre-roll, weather channel
display banners, and targeted
Facebook posts featuring the
monthly NHC rain barrel sale and
the general video created about the
HOW Program.
Ads Booked:
176,750
Ads Served:
297,829
Engagements:
735
Engagement
Rate: 0.25%
10/19/20 -
11/18/20
WHQR PSA Fall
Campaign
WHQR
listeners
WHQR; HOW Two rotating PSAs during drivetime
announcing availability for HOA
presentations and re-routing
downspouts.
23 Spots during
drivetime, once
per weekday
4/1/21 -
5/31/21
WHQR PSA
Spring Campaign
WHQR
listeners
WHQR; HOW PSAs during drivetime announcing
the HOW Program and the benefits
of rain barrels.
38 spots during
drivetime, once
per weekday
10/12/20 -
11/08/20
Lamar Spring
Billboard
All drivers at
the corner of
Oleander Drive
and Greenville
Loop Drive,
within the
Bradley Creek
Watershed
Lamar
Billboards; HOW
Billboard featuring "Everything Goes
Somewhere - Get the Drop on
Polluted Runoff" and the HOW
Program web address.
1 month, 1
billboard Total
cost: $1000
04/05/21 -
05/02/21
Lamar Spring
Billboard
All drivers at
the corner of
Oleander Drive
and Greenville
Loop Drive,
within the
Bradley Creek
Watershed
Lamar
Billboards; HOW
Billboard featuring "Rain Showers
Love Rain Gardens!" and the HOW
Program web address.
1 month, 1
billboard Total
cost: $1000
News Coverage
12/7/2020
interview;
aired
12/21/20
Interviewed by
WECT about
Bradley Creek
water quality and
Suite Services
Loop Rain
Garden
All WECT
viewers
HOW; NCCF;
UNCW; Flora
Landscaping
WECT TV story & posted online 219,160
television
households; 1.5
Million unique
monthly website
users
1/25/2020 Interviewed by
WWAY about
cistern recently
installed at Fire
Station along
Oleander Drive
All WWAY
Viewers
HOW WWAY TV Story & posted online:
https://www.wwaytv3.com/2021/01/2
5/oleander-drive-fire-station-10-
adds-cistern-to-collect-rain-water-
for-multiple-uses/
190,000
television
households;

158

9/3/2020 "Don't Go Near
the Water":
Concern fecal
coliform bacteria
levels in Bradley
Creek Watershed
Branch news
article; provided
information for
questions from
reporter
Port City Daily
Online Readers
Port City Daily;
COW; HOW
News story posted online:
https://portcitydaily.com/local-
news/2020/09/03/dont-go-near-the-
water-concerning-fecal-coliform-
bacteria-levels-in-bradley-creek-
watershed-branch/
All Port City
Daily
subscribers;
20,603 FB
Followers
Social Media Campaigns
Ongoing Twitter site
campaign
Twitter
followers
Interested
public
HOW Dedicated Heal Our Waterways
account handle
Currently have
250 followers
Ongoing Facebook site
campaign
Facebook
followers
Interested
public
HOW Dedicated Heal Our Waterways
page
Currently have
231 page
"likes", 246
followers
Ongoing Instagram site
campaign
Instagram
followers
Interested
public
HOW Dedicated Heal Our Waterways
account handle
Currently have
291 followers
Distributing promos/giveaways
Ongoing Introductory
application swag
packets to
HOWBMP site
visits/applicants
Applicants to
the HOWBMP
Program
HOW; NHSWCD Application "Swag Bag" with HOW
giveaways, including grocery tote,
pens, notepads, stickers, dry bag,
and informational papers
21 Total Site
Visits for the
HOWBMP
Program
8/22/2020 Rain Barrel
Raffle from HOW
Booth @
Wilmington
Farmer's Market
Attendees that
participated at
the HOW booth
HOW 1 80-gallon rain barrel raffled to
participant at HOW booth
1 Winner
10/3/2020 Virtual Fire in the
Pines Festival
raffle prizes
New Hanover
County
residents that
participated in
the virtual
scavenger
hunt; families
COW; HOW;
The Nature
Conservancy;
Coastal Land
Conservancy
Facebook live presentations and a
scavenger hunt. All scavenger hunt
participants were eligible to win
HOW-sponsored dry bags and an
80-gallon rain barrel.
60 participants;
1 80-gallon rain
barrel raffled
off; 25 HOW dry
bags; 25 HOW
Reusable
straws
10/17/2020 Rain Barrel
Raffle from HOW
Booth @
Wilmington
Farmer's Market
Attendees that
participated at
the HOW booth
HOW 1 80-gallon rain barrel raffled to
participant at HOW booth
1 Winner
11/14/2020 Rain Barrel
Raffle from HOW
Booth @
Wilmington
Farmer's Market
Attendees that
participated at
the HOW booth
HOW 1 80-gallon rain barrel raffled to
participant at HOW booth
1 Winner
11/14/2020 Downspout
rerouter from
HOW Booth @
Wilmington
Farmer's Market
Attendees that
participated at
the HOW booth
HOW 2 downspout reroutes raffled to
participant at HOW booth
1 Winner

159

3/13/2021 Rain Barrel
Raffle from HOW
Booth @
Wilmington
Farmer's Market
Attendees that
participated at
the HOW booth
HOW 1 80-gallon rain barrel raffled to
participant at HOW booth
1 Winner
4/10/2021 Rain Barrel
Raffle from HOW
Booth @
Wilmington
Farmer's Market
Attendees that
participated at
the HOW booth
HOW 1 80-gallon rain barrel raffled to
participant at HOW booth
1 Winner
6/8/2021 A Watershed
Moment
Community
Event
Homeowners
within New
Hanover
County
HOW 1 80-gallon rain barrel raffled to
participant at HOW booth
1 Winner
Local Cable Access (GTV-8)
Airs on
rotating
schedule
GTV-8 City's
cable access
channel
Cable access
TV viewers
Stormwater staff
WECT staff
GTV-8 staff
Downspout disconnection and rain
barrel public service
announcements with local celebrity
news anchor Jon Evans
Inform public
about re-routing
downspouts
and installing
and using rain
barrels
Watershed Resident Mailings, Displays, Signs, Pamphlets
Fall 2020 Fall watershed
mailer
All Bradley
Creek and
Hewletts Creek
residents.
HOW Postcard mailer describing how
most pollution is picked up in the
first 1.5" of rain and strategies to
reducing polluted stormwater runoff.
Mailed to
20,826
addresses
Spring
2021
Spring
Watershed
Mailer
All Bradley
Creek and
Hewletts Creek
residents.
HOW Postcard mailer describing what
wetlands are and the ecosystem
services they provide.
Mailed to
21,166
addresses
Newsletters and E-newsletters
7/31/2020 Summer
Stormwater
Solutions
HOW
Newsletter
Subscribers
HOW E-newsletter describing stormwater
solutions that have been installed
throughout the Bradley and Hewletts
Creeks Watersheds.
341 Sends
34% Open Rate
2% Click Rate
11/13/2020 Suite Services
Loop Rain
Garden
Volunteer Event
HOW
Newsletter
Subscribers
HOW E-newsletter requesting volunteers
for a planting event for the Suite
Services Loop rain garden at
UNCW.
354 Sends
32% Open Rate
4% Click Rate
12/16/2020 Holiday Trees HOW
Newsletter
Subscribers
HOW E-newsletter discussing
recommended methods for planting
trees and miscellaneous events.
354 Sends
25% Open Rate
6% Click Rate

160

3/29/2021 Creek Friendly
Yards
HOW
Newsletter
Subscribers
HOW E-newsletter discussing Earth Day
events, stormwater solutions for
homes, and native plants.
362 Sends
25% Open Rate
22% Click Rate
4/20/2021 Anne McCrary
Demonstration
Site Tour
HOW
Newsletter
Subscribers
HOW E-newsletter announcing a tour of
stormwater solutions installed at
Anne McCrary Park.
372 Sends
23% Open Rate
0% click Rate
Grant Projects
Began
March 2021
EPA 319 Grant
NCSU COW
Bradley Creek
Watershed
NCSU-BSE,
COW
Stormwater, 2
Private Pond
Owners
Two private pond retrofits and one
COW-owned drainage swale
modification in the upper Bradley
Creek Watershed
Collaboration
with NCSU-
BSE, COW
Stormwater,
and University
Landing/Univers
ity Commons
Property
Owners
Began
January
2019 --
Ended
December
31st, 2020
EPA 319 Grant
UNCW NCCF
Bradley Creek
Watershed
UNCW, NCCF,
COW
Stormwater
Several planned stormwater retrofits
on UNCW campus.
Collaboration
with UNCW,
NCCF, and City
Stormwater
Watershed Coordinator Training and Networking Events
11/16/20 -
11/18/20
NCSU SCM
Inspection &
Maintenance
Certification
Stormwater
professionals
North Carolina
State University
Presentations via Zoom and a
certification exam
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator
7/30/2021 Instagram
Marketing -
Create a Growth
and Lead
Generation
System
Social media
users
Stack Skills Pre-recorded presentations hosted
on Stack Skills
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator
7/8/2020 GoToWebinar -
Redefining Urban
Space: Site
Remediation and
Green
Infrastructure
Practices on
Contaminated
Properties in
Lawrence, MA
Stormwater
professionals
EPA Webinar presentation about
examples of site remediation in
Lawrence, MA
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator
7/28/2020 GoToWebinar -
Porous in
Provincetown:
How Green
Infrastructure
Revitalized
Commercial
Street
Stormwater
professionals
EPA Webinar presentation about
examples of site street retrofits in
Provincetown, MA
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator

161

8/6/2020 PFAS Removal
in Drinking Water
Treatment
Systems
Water quality
professionals
EPA Webinar presentation discussing
methods of removing PFAS from
drinking water
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator
8/11/2020 GoToWebinar -
Clean Water on
the Cape: Green
Infrastructure in
Sandwich and
Yarmouth, MA
Stormwater
professionals
EPA Webinar presentation about
examples of green infrastructure in
MA
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator
8/12/2020 CWP Water
Quality Issues:
stormwater
impacts to
groundwater and
endocrine
disruptors
Stormwater
professionals
Center for
Watershed
Protection
Webinar presentation discussing
effects of stormwater pollution on
groundwater
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator
9/15/2020 GoToWebinar -
National
Municipal
Stormwater
Alliance
Stormwater Pond
Webcast Series
Part 1 - The
Problems with
Ponds
Stormwater
professionals
National
Municipal
Stormwater
Alliance
Webinar presentation discussing
common problems found with
stormwater retention ponds
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator
9/24/2020 GoToWebinar -
National
Municipal
Stormwater
Alliance
Stormwater Pond
Webcast Series
Part 2 -
Stormwater
Ponds as Assets
Stormwater
professionals
National
Municipal
Stormwater
Alliance
Webinar presentation discussing
ways to manage and track retention
ponds within municipalities
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator
10/13/2020 GoToWebinar -
How’s My
Waterway: A
Tool for
Exploring Your
Water Quality
Stormwater
professionals
EPA Webinar presentation going through
a recently completed tool by EPA,
the "How's My Waterway?" tool
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator
10/14/2020 Soak Up the
Rain Webinar:
The Green
Connector:
Building
Resiliency
through Nature-
based
Approaches
Stormwater
professionals
EPA Webinar presentation about
examples of green infrastructure for
stormwater management
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator
10/14/2020 APWA North
Carolina Event
featuring
stormwater
control measure
updates and
research
Stormwater
professionals in
NC
APWA Webinar presentation providing
research updates regarding SCM
efficacy
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator

162

10/21/2020 GoToWebinar -
National
Municipal
Stormwater
Alliance
Stormwater Pond
Webcast Series
Part 4 - Municipal
Perspectives on
Stormwater
Ponds
Stormwater
professionals
National
Municipal
Stormwater
Alliance
Webinar presentation discussing
perspectives from various
municipalities on the efficacy of
retention ponds
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator
10/28/2020 GoToWebinar -
Health Effects
Associated with
Harmful Algal
Blooms and Algal
Toxins
Stormwater
professionals
EPA Webinar presentation highlighting
potential health hazards from toxic
algal blooms
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator
12/3/2020 Soak Up the
Rain EPA
Webinar: “The
Green
Connector:
Building
Municipal
Resiliency
through Nature-
based
Approaches”
Stormwater
professionals
EPA Webinar presentation about
examples of green infrastructure for
stormwater management
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator
12/9/2020 Urban Forest
Connections
Webinar:
“Biocultural
Stewardship:
Transforming our
Urban and
Community
Forestry
Practices”
Stormwater &
urban forestry
professionals
USDA Forest
Service
Webinar presentation discussing the
cultural significance of trees and
how to engage communities in tree
stewardship and education
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator
12/16/2020 NCDEQ
Webinar:
“Nature-Based
Solutions in
Urban Areas”
Stormwater
professionals
NCDEQ Webinar presentation about
examples of green infrastructure for
stormwater management,
specifically in urban areas
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator
12/21/2020 Completed online
Canva and
graphic design
tips trainings
(hosted on
Canva website)
Social media
users
Canva Presentations and exercises
showing design tools in Canva and
tips for better appearances
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator
12/21/2020 Educating &
Engaging
Communities w/
the Coastal
Version of the
Watershed
Game
Stormwater
professionals
Center for
Watershed
Protection
Recorded presentation discussing
updates to the watershed game and
how to engage coastal communities
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator

163

12/21/2020 Seeing Green
Infrastructure
Tools Differently”
& “Managing
Stormwater at
Marinas in the
Great Lakes
through Green
Infrastructure
Stormwater
professionals
Center for
Watershed
Protection
Recorded webinar presentations
about examples of green
infrastructure for stormwater
management and tools for
managing them
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator
1/13/2021 “Seeing the
Landscape from
the Trees: An
Ecosystemic
Approach to
Urban Forestry”
Stormwater
professionals
USDA Forest
Service
Webinar presentation discussing
ways to pick the right tree for the
right place and promote ecosystem
benefits.
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator
1/14/2021 Bees, Pesticides
& Politics:
Challenges &
Opportunities for
Sustainable
Urban
Landscapes”
webinar
Stormwater &
Landscaping
professionals
Horticultural
Research
Institute
Webinar discussing methods to
promote pollinator habitat in urban
environments.
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator
12/29/2021 Alan Alda
Webinar: A.R.T
of
Communicating
Science
Scientists &
science
communicators
Alan Alda Center
for
Communicating
Science
Recorded webinar walking through
the steps for creating effective
science communication campaigns
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator
1/27/2021 Building Greener
Futures: Green
Jobs Training &
Bioswales in
New Haven, CT
Stormwater
professionals
EPA Webinar discussing strategies in
Burlington, Vermont, to promote
green jobs and green infrastructure.
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator
2/16/2021 Rainwater
Harvesting &
Introducing the
Rainwater
Harvester Model
Training
Stormwater
professionals
NCSU-BSE Virtual walk-through of the recently
created Rainwater Harvester Model
by NCSU.
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator
3/10/2021 Tree Equity for
Climate and
Health: State and
Local
Applications
Stormwater &
urban forestry
professionals
USDA Forest
Service
Webinar walking through community
engagement and inclusion regarding
tree plantings for resiliency
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator
3/19/2021 Cultivating
Success: Using
Vegetation to
Manage
Stormwater and
Protect Water
Quality
Stormwater
professionals
Water World
Webcasts
Webinar featuring proper planting
techniques and examples of using
vegetation to manage stormwater
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator
4/14/2021 Trees,
Woodlands,
Lawns and Right-
of-Ways: Best
Practices for
Biodiversity
Stormwater &
urban forestry
professionals
USDA Forest
Service
Webinar showing opportunities to
incorporate more biodiversity in
urbanized areas.
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator

164

4/29/2021 WMOST
Webinar
Stormwater
professionals
EPA Webinar walking through EPA's
Watershed Management
Optimization Support Tool
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator
5/18/2021 Investing in
Resiliency:
Intersectional
Perspectives of
Wetlands,
Infrastructure,
and Healthy
Communities
Environmental
policy
professionals
Association of
State Wetland
Managers
Webinar discussing how wetlands
and wetlands data are important for
promoting resilient communities
through infrastructure development.
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator
5/20/2021 Permeable
Pavement
Maintenance:
Designing to
Reduce
Maintenance,
Planning for
Maintenance
Frequency, and
Effective
Techniques to
Restore
Pavement
Hydraulics."
Stormwater
professionals
Minnesota
Stormwater
Seminar Series
Webinar walking through tips and
strategies for best maintenance
practices for permeable pavement
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator
5/25/2021 NC Watershed
Stewardship
Network Spring
Meeting
Stormwater
professionals &
environmental
educators
NC Watershed
Stewardship
Network
Virtual meeting & break-out groups
to discuss data needs and current
initiatives across the state
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator
5/25/2021 Harmful Algal
Blooms and Algal
Toxins
Stormwater
professionals
EPA Latest research discussing methods
of how to track algal blooms and
potential stressors
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator
6/8/2021 Managing
Phosphorus
Pollution with
Stormwater
Bioretention: A
Soil Study
Stormwater
professionals
EPA Analysis of stormwater bioretention
study in a developing watershed
and how downstream water quality
was influenced
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator
6/9/2021 i-Tree: Using
Urban Forest
Data to Improve
Forest
Management
Stormwater &
urban forestry
professionals
USDA Forest
Service
Webinar walking through the i-Tree
suite and available data
management tools
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator
6/18/2021 Getting Smart
about
Stormwater
Stormwater
professionals
Stormwater
Journal for
Surface Water
and Erosion
Control
Professionals
Webinar discussing strategies for
moving from grey to green
stormwater infrastructure and how
to bring communities on board
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator

165

6/22/2021 -
6/23/2021
Virtual
Stormwater
Summit
Stormwater
professionals
APWA Two days of virtual presentations
covering green stormwater
infrastructure and data management
tools.
Interim
Watershed
Coordinator
Citizen Contacts- Site Visits
7/6/2020 Greenville Loop
Road Site visit
Property owner
within a target
watershed
HOW Site visit 1 Property
owner; 1 COW
staff
7/13/2020 4121 Park
Avenue Site Visit
Property owner NHSWCD;
HOW; Rainstorm
Solutions
HOWBMP Contract Site Visit 1 property
owner; COW
Staff; NHSWCD
Staff; Rainstorm
Solutions
7/13/2020 151 Wintergreen
Rd Site Visit
Property owner
within a target
watershed
NHSWCD;
HOW; Rainstorm
Solutions
HOWBMP Contract Site Visit 1 property
owner; COW
Staff; NHSWCD
Staff; Rainstorm
Solutions
7/13/2020 314 N. Colony
Circle
Property owner
within a target
watershed
NHSWCD;
HOW; Rainstorm
Solutions
HOWBMP Contract Site Visit 1 property
owner; COW
Staff; NHSWCD
Staff; Rainstorm
Solutions
8/14/2020 111 Formosa Dr Property owner
within a target
watershed
NHSWCD;
HOW; Rainstorm
Solutions
HOWBMP Contract Site Visit 2 property
owners; COW
Staff; NHSWCD
Staff; Rainstorm
Solutions
9/3/2020 408 Stradleigh
Drive
Property owner
& local
landscaping
company
HOW Site visit at property to discuss
drainage concerns
1 property
owner; 2
landscaping
crew members;
2 COW staff
9/28/2020 UNCW Student
outreach @
property
UNCW
student/renter
HOW Site visit at rental property to
discuss stormwater solutions &
potential modifications
1
student/renter;
COW staff
1/12/2021 211 Myrtle
Avenue
Property owner
within a target
watershed
NHSWCD;
HOW; Rainstorm
Solutions
HOWBMP Contract Site Visit 1 property
owner; COW
Staff; NHSWCD
Staff; Rainstorm
Solutions
1/12/2021 5475 Eastwind
Road
Property owner
within a target
watershed
NHSWCD;
HOW; Rainstorm
Solutions
HOWBMP Contract Site Visit 1 property
owner; COW
Staff; NHSWCD
Staff; Rainstorm
Solutions
1/12/2021 3301 Aster Court Property owner
within a target
watershed
NHSWCD;
HOW; Rainstorm
Solutions
HOWBMP Contract Site Visit 1 property
owner; COW
Staff; NHSWCD
Staff; Rainstorm
Solutions

166

1/19/2021 5202 Clear Run
Drive
Property owner
within a target
watershed
NHSWCD;
HOW; Rainstorm
Solutions
HOWBMP Contract Site Visit 1 property
owner; COW
Staff; NHSWCD
Staff; Rainstorm
Solutions
1/19/2021 418 Clearbrook
Drive
Property owner
within a target
watershed
NHSWCD;
HOW; Rainstorm
Solutions
HOWBMP Contract Site Visit 1 property
owner; COW
Staff; NHSWCD
Staff; Rainstorm
Solutions
1/19/2021 6452 Quail Run
Road
Property owner
within a target
watershed
NHSWCD;
HOW; Rainstorm
Solutions
HOWBMP Contract Site Visit 1 property
owner; COW
Staff; NHSWCD
Staff; Rainstorm
Solutions
1/27/2021 Land's End HOA HOA within a
target
watershed
NHSWCD;
HOW; Alliance
for Cape Fear
Trees;
Wilmington Tree
Commission
Visit with HOA to discuss practices
that would be environmentally
friendly
1 HOA
Representative;
NHSWCD Staff;
COW Staff;
Alliance for
Cape Fear
Trees Staff;
Wilmington
Tree
Commission
Staff
2/19/2021 Andrews Reach
HOA
HOA within a
target
watershed
NHSWCD;
HOW; Alliance
for Cape Fear
Trees;
Wilmington Tree
Commission
Visit with HOA to discuss practices
that would be environmentally
friendly
1 HOA
Representative;
NHSWCD Staff;
COW Staff;
Alliance for
Cape Fear
Trees Staff;
Wilmington
Tree
Commission
Staff
2/25/2021 5612 Maxweell
Place
Property owner
within a target
watershed
NHSWCD;
HOW; Rainstorm
Solutions
HOWBMP Contract Site Visit 1 property
owner; COW
Staff; NHSWCD
Staff; Rainstorm
Solutions
2/25/2021 202 North
Hampton Road
Property owner
within a target
watershed
NHSWCD;
HOW; Rainstorm
Solutions
HOWBMP Contract Site Visit 1 property
owner; COW
Staff; NHSWCD
Staff; Rainstorm
Solutions
3/22/2021 2025 Delgado
Avenue
Property owner HOW Property owner looking for
information on how to design a rain
garden
1 Property
owner; COW
Staff
3/22/2021 Anne McCrary
Park
Property
Owner &
Alliance for
Cape Fear
Trees
HOW Property owner looking for
information on types of stormwater
solutions and how a complete rain
garden looks
1 Property
owner; COW
Staff; Alliance
for Cape Fear
Trees staff

167

3/24/2021 Kentwood
Estates HOA
Property owner HOW Property owner looking for
information on how to improve
drainage within the neighborhood
1 Property
owner;
COW/HOW
Staff
4/6/2021 117 Braxlo Lane Property owner
within a target
watershed
NHSWCD;
COW; Rainstorm
Solutions
HOWBMP Contract Site Visit 1 property
owner; COW
Staff; NHSWCD
Staff; Rainstorm
Solutions
4/14/2021 202 Hooker
Road
Property owner
within a target
watershed
NHSWCD;
Rainstorm
Solutions
HOWBMP Contract Site Visit 1 property
owner;
NHSWCD Staff;
Rainstorm
Solutions
4/14/2021 3505 Saint
Francis Drive
Property owner
within a target
watershed
NHSWCD;
Rainstorm
Solutions
HOWBMP Contract Site Visit 1 property
owner;
NHSWCD Staff;
Rainstorm
Solutions
5/12/2021 HOWBMP
Annual
Inspections
Residents that
had HOWBMP
Projects
installed
NHSWCD; HOW HOWBMP Contract Maintenance
Inspection
15 HOWBMP
Participants
BMP Projects Installed
7/9/2020 5412 Whaler
Way Rain Barrel
1 property
owner
COW; NHSWCD Rain Barrel sold through monthly
rain barrel sale
Total Volume
Reduction:
8.021 cubic
feet; 60 gallons
9/10/2020 5763 Gardenia
Lane Rain Barrel
1 property
owner
COW; NHSWCD Rain Barrel sold through monthly
rain barrel sale
Total Volume
Reduction:
10.694 cubic
feet; 80 gallons
10/8/2020 132 Stonewall
Jackson Drive
Rain Barrel
1 property
owner
COW; NHSWCD Rain Barrel sold through monthly
rain barrel sale
Total Volume
Reduction:
10.694 cubic
feet; 80 gallons
7/9/2020 Rain barrel sold
within Bradley
Creek Watershed
1 property
owner
COW; NHSWCD Rain Barrel sold through monthly
rain barrel sale
Total Volume
Reduction:
10.694 cubic
feet; 80 gallons
7/9/2020 Rain barrel sold
within Bradley
Creek Watershed
1 property
owner
COW; NHSWCD Rain Barrel sold through monthly
rain barrel sale
Total Volume
Reduction:
8.021 cubic
feet; 60 gallons
7/9/2020 Rain barrel sold
within Hewletts
Creek Watershed
1 property
owner
COW; NHSWCD Rain Barrel sold through monthly
rain barrel sale
Total Volume
Reduction:
10.694 cubic
feet; 80 gallons
7/9/2020 Rain barrel sold
within Hewletts
Creek Watershed
1 property
owner
COW; NHSWCD Rain Barrel sold through monthly
rain barrel sale
Total Volume
Reduction:
10.694 cubic
feet; 80 gallons
9/10/2020 3823 Sylvan
Drive Rain Barrel
1
1 property
owner
COW; NHSWCD Rain Barrel sold through monthly
rain barrel sale
Total Volume
Reduction:
10.694 cubic
feet; 80 gallons

168

9/10/2020 3823 Sylvan
Drive Rain Barrel
2
1 property
owner
COW; NHSWCD Rain Barrel sold through monthly
rain barrel sale
Total Volume
Reduction:
10.694 cubic
feet; 80 gallons
7/1/2020 325 Pemberton
Drive Rain Barrel
1 property
owner
COW; NHSWCD Rain Barrel raffle winner Total Volume
Reduction:
10.694 cubic
feet; 80 gallons
4/24/2021 1227
Kenningston
Street Rain
Barrel
1 property
owner
COW; NHSWCD Rain Barrel sold through monthly
rain barrel sale
Total Volume
Reduction:
10.694 cubic
feet; 80 gallons
4/24/2021 5313 Greenleaf
Drive Rain Barrel
1 property
owner
COW; NHSWCD Rain Barrel sold through monthly
rain barrel sale
Total Volume
Reduction:
8.021 cubic
feet; 60 gallons
4/24/2021 409 Camway
Drive Rain Barrel
1 property
owner
COW; NHSWCD Rain Barrel sold through monthly
rain barrel sale
Total Volume
Reduction:
10.694 cubic
feet; 80 gallons
4/1/2021 3102
Scarborough
Drive Rain Barrel
1 property
owner
COW; NHSWCD Rain Barrel sold through monthly
rain barrel sale
Total Volume
Reduction:
8.021 cubic
feet; 60 gallons
5/8/2021 216 Jeb Stuart
Drive Rain Barrel
1 property
owner
HOW Rain Barrel raffle winner Total Volume
Reduction:
10.694 cubic
feet; 80 gallons
2/25/2021 5612 Maxwell
Place Rain Barrel
1 property
owner
COW; NHSWCD Rain Barrel discovered during a
HOWBMP site visit
Total Volume
Reduction:
10.694 cubic
feet; 80 gallons
2/27/2021 4954 Park
Avenue Rain
Barrel
1 property
owner
COW; NHSWCD Rain Barrel sold through monthly
rain barrel sale
Total Volume
Reduction:
8.021 cubic
feet; 60 gallons
12/15/2020 348 Brenda Drive
Rain Barrel
1 property
owner
COW; NHSWCD Rain Barrel sold through monthly
rain barrel sale
Total Volume
Reduction:
10.694 cubic
feet; 80 gallons
12/15/2020 10 Jeb Stuart
Drive Rain Barrel
1 property
owner
COW; NHSWCD Rain Barrel sold through monthly
rain barrel sale
Total Volume
Reduction:
10.694 cubic
feet; 80 gallons
12/15/2020 5009 Weybridge
Lane Rain Barrel
1 property
owner
COW; NHSWCD Rain Barrel sold through monthly
rain barrel sale
Total Volume
Reduction:
8.021 cubic
feet; 60 gallons
12/31/2020 1205 2 Mile
Circle Rain
Barrel
1 property
owner
COW; NHSWCD Rain Barrel sold through monthly
rain barrel sale
Total Volume
Reduction:
8.021 cubic
feet; 60 gallons
4/30/2021 117 Pine Valley
Drive Rain Barrel
1 property
owner
HOW Rain Barrel raffle winner Total Volume
Reduction:
10.694 cubic
feet; 80 gallons

169

8/31/2020 135 Cavalier
Drive Rain Barrel
1 property
owner
HOW Rain Barrel raffle winner Total Volume
Reduction:
10.694 cubic
feet; 80 gallons
3/1/2021 Racine Drive
Japanese
Zelkova
Plantings
City of
Wilmington
ROW along
Racine Drive
COW; Japanese zelkova trees planted by
volunteers along Racine Drive.
Total Volume
Reduction: 8.85
cubic feet;
66.20 gallons
3/1/2021 Racine Drive
Trident Maple
Plantings
City of
Wilmington
ROW along
Racine Drive
COW; Trident maple trees planted by
volunteers along Racine Drive.
Total Volume
Reduction: 3.54
cubic feet;
26.48 gallons
2/3/2021 Wade Park Tree
Planting
City of
Wilmington JEL
Wade Park
HOW Variety of Dogwoods, Maples,
Magnolias, and Live oak planted
within Wade Park
Total Volume
Reduction:
133.68 cubic
feet; 67.03
gallons
3/1/2021 UNCW Long
Leaf Pine Tree
Plantings
University of
North Carolina
Wilmington
UNCW 125 long leaf pine planted on
campus
Total Volume
Reduction:
36.46 cubic
feet; 273
gallons
1/20/2021 Fire Station 10
Cistern
Fire Station 10;
Oleander Drive
HOW 1000 gallon cistern at fire station Total Volume
Reduction:
133.68 cubic
feet; 1000
gallons
6/9/2021 314 N Colony
Circle Rain
Garden
1 property
owner
NHSWCD;
HOW; Rainstorm
Solutions
One rain garden installed through
the HOWBMP funding program.
Total Volume
Reduction: 87
cubic feet; 651
gallons
6/9/2021 100 Hooker
Road Rain
Garden 1
1 property
owner
NHSWCD;
HOW; Rainstorm
Solutions
One rain garden installed through
the HOWBMP funding program.
Total Volume
Reduction: 107
cubic feet; 800
gallons
6/9/2021 100 Hooker
Road Rain
Garden 2
1 property
owner
NHSWCD;
HOW; Rainstorm
Solutions
One rain garden installed through
the HOWBMP funding program.
Total Volume
Reduction: 236
cubic feet; 1765
gallons
6/9/2021 151 Wintergreen
Road Rain
Garden
1 property
owner
NHSWCD;
HOW; Rainstorm
Solutions
One rain garden installed through
the HOWBMP funding program.
Total Volume
Reduction: 62
cubic feet; 463
gallons
6/9/2021 3301 Aster Court
Rain Garden 1
1 property
owner
NHSWCD;
HOW; Rainstorm
Solutions
One rain garden installed through
the HOWBMP funding program.
Total Volume
Reduction: 110
cubic feet; 823
gallons
6/9/2021 3301 Aster Court
Rain Garden 2
1 property
owner
NHSWCD;
HOW; Rainstorm
Solutions
One rain garden installed through
the HOWBMP funding program.
Total Volume
Reduction: 116
cubic feet; 868
gallons
6/9/2021 211 Myrtle
Avenue Rain
Garden
1 property
owner
NHSWCD;
HOW; Rainstorm
Solutions
One rain garden installed through
the HOWBMP funding program.
Total Volume
Reduction: 19
cubic feet; 142
gallons
6/9/2021 6252 Turtle Hall
Drive Rain
Garden
1 property
owner
NHSWCD;
HOW; Rainstorm
Solutions
One rain garden installed through
the HOWBMP funding program.
Total Volume
Reduction: 35
cubic feet; 262
gallons

170

6/9/2021 3529 Iris Street
Rain Garden
1 property
owner
NHSWCD;
HOW; Rainstorm
Solutions
One rain garden installed through
the HOWBMP funding program.
Total Volume
Reduction: 134
cubic feet; 1002
gallons
12/31/2021 UNCW Suite
Services Loop
Rain Garden
University of
North Carolina
Wilmington
HOW; UNCW;
NCCF; Coastal
Stormwater
Services Inc.;
Tinga
Landscaping
One rain garden installed through
the 319 Grant "Reducing
Stormwater Runoff Volume on the
UNC Wilmington Campus".
Total Volume
Reduction:
9872 cubic feet;
73847 gallons
6/11/2021 3505 Saint
Francis Drive
Rain Barrel
1 property
owner
HOW Rain Barrel raffle winner Total Volume
Reduction:
8.021 cubic
feet; 60 gallons
5/13/2021 3522 Bethel
Road Rain Barrel
1 property
owner
COW; NHSWCD Rain Barrel sold through monthly
rain barrel sale
Total Volume
Reduction:
10.694 cubic
feet; 80 gallons
5/21/2021 209 East
Blackbeard Road
Rain Barrel
1 property
owner
COW; NHSWCD Rain Barrel sold through monthly
rain barrel sale
Total Volume
Reduction:
10.694 cubic
feet; 80 gallons
6/1/2021 3124 Kirby Smith
Drive Rain Barrel
1
1 property
owner
COW; NHSWCD Rain Barrel sold through monthly
rain barrel sale
Total Volume
Reduction:
10.694 cubic
feet; 80 gallons
6/1/2021 3124 Kirby Smith
Drive Rain Barrel
2
1 property
owner
COW; NHSWCD Rain Barrel sold through monthly
rain barrel sale
Total Volume
Reduction:
10.694 cubic
feet; 80 gallons
6/10/2021 3204 Aster Court
Rain Barrel 1
1 property
owner
COW; NHSWCD Rain Barrel sold through monthly
rain barrel sale
Total Volume
Reduction:
10.694 cubic
feet; 80 gallons
6/10/2021 3204 Aster Court
Rain Barrel 2
1 property
owner
COW; NHSWCD Rain Barrel sold through monthly
rain barrel sale
Total Volume
Reduction:
8.021 cubic
feet; 60 gallons
6/10/2021 302 Honeycutt
Rain Barrel
1 property
owner
COW; NHSWCD Rain Barrel sold through monthly
rain barrel sale
Total Volume
Reduction:
10.694 cubic
feet; 80 gallons
6/29/2021 Fire Station 15
Cistern
Fire Station 15;
Masonboro
Loop Road
HOW 1000 gallon cistern at fire station Total Volume
Reduction:
133.68 cubic
feet; 1000
gallons
COW = City of Wilmington
HOW = Heal Our Waterways
HOWBMP = Heal Our Waterways Best Management Program
NCCF = North Carolina Coastal Federation
NCSU = North Carolina State University
NHSWCD = New Hanover Soil & Water Conservation District
FB = Facebook
UNCW = University of North Carolina at Wilmington

171

FY21 Heal Our Waterways Program Volume Reduction Summaries
BMP Owner BMP Type Gallons
Volume
Reduction
(cu ft)
Volume
Reduction
(ac ft)
Bradley Creek Watershed Volume Reduction Data
Link Rain Barrel 1 Rain Barrel 80.00 10.69 0.000246
Link Rain Barrel 2 Rain Barrel 60.00 8.02 0.000184
Hanna Rain Barrel 1 Rain Barrel 80.00 10.69 0.000246
Hanna Rain Barrel 2 Rain Barrel 80.00 10.69 0.000246
Fire Station 10 Cistern Cistern 1000.00 133.68 0.003069
UNCW Suite Services Loop Rain
Garden
Rain Garden/Infiltration
Basin 73847.69 9872 0.226630
Racine Drive Trident Maple Plantings Tree Planting 26.48 3.54 0.000081
Racine Drive Japanese Zelkova
Plantings Tree Planting 66.20 8.85 0.000203
UNCW Long Leaf Pine Plantings Tree Planting 272.74 36.46 0.000837
1205 2 Mile Circle W. Rain Barrel Rain Barrel 60.00 8.02 0.000184
135 Cavalier Drive Rain Barrel Rain Barrel 80.00 10.69 0.000246
100 Hooker Road Rain Garden 1 Rain Garden 800.42 107.00 0.002456
100 Hooker Road Rain Garden 2 Rain Garden 1765.40 236.00 0.005418
211 Myrtle Avenue Rain Garden Rain Garden 142.13 19.00 0.000436
TOTAL BRADLEY CREEK WATERSHED VOLUME REDUCTION: 78361.05 10475.35 0.240481
TOTAL NUMBER OF PROJECTS BRADLEY CREEK WATERSHED 14
Drains To ICW2 Volume Reduction
Data
TOTAL DRAINS TO ICW2 VOLUME REDUCTION: 0 0 0
TOTAL NUMBER OF PROJECTS DRAINS TO ICW2 0
Hewletts Creek Watershed Volume Reduction Data
5412 Whaler Way Rain Barrel Rain Barrel 60.00 8.02 0.000184
5763 Gardenia Lane Rain Barrel Rain Barrel 80.00 10.69 0.000246
132 Stonewall Jackson Drive Rain
Barrel Rain Barrel 80.00 10.69 0.000246
Fire Station 15 Cistern Cistern 1000.00 133.68 0.003069
Wade Park Tree Plantings Tree Planting 67.03 8.96 0.000206
5009 Weybridge Lane Rain Barrel Rain Barrel 60.00 8.02 0.000184
10 Jeb Stuart Drive Rain Barrel Rain Barrel 80.00 10.69 0.000246
348 Brenda Drive Rain Barrel Rain Barrel 80.00 10.69 0.000246
4954 Park Avenue Rain Barrel Rain Barrel 60.00 8.02 0.000184
325 Pemberton Drive Rain Barrel Rain Barrel 60.00 8.02 0.000184
314 N Colony Circle Rain Garden Rain Garden 650.81 87.00 0.001997
3301 Aster Court Rain Garden 1 Rain Garden 822.86 110.00 0.002525

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3301 Aster Court Rain Garden 2 Rain Garden 867.74 116.00 0.002663
151 Wintergreen Drive Rain Garden Rain Garden 463.79 62.00 0.001423
3823 Sylvan Drive Rain Barrel 1 Rain Barrel 80.00 10.69 0.000246
3823 Sylvan Drive Rain Barrel 2 Rain Barrel 80.00 10.69 0.000246
117 Pine Valley Drive Rain Barrel Rain Barrel 80.00 10.69 0.000246
5612 Maxwell Place Rain Barrel Rain Barrel 80.00 10.69 0.000246
3529 Iris Street Rain Garden Rain Garden 1002.39 134.00 0.003076
3505 Saint Francis Drive Rain Barrel Rain Barrel 60.00 8.02 0.000184
3522 Bethel Road Rain Barrel Rain Barrel 80.00 10.69 0.000246
209 East Blackbeard Road Rain Barrel Rain Barrel 80.00 10.69 0.000246
3124 Kirby Smith Drive Rain Barrel 1 Rain Barrel 80.00 10.69 0.000246
3124 Kirby Smith Drive Rain Barrel 2 Rain Barrel 80.00 10.69 0.000246
3204 Aster Court Rain Barrel 1 Rain Barrel 80.00 10.69 0.000246
3204 Aster Court Rain Barrel 2 Rain Barrel 60.00 8.02 0.000184
302 Honeycutt Rain Barrel Rain Barrel 80.00 10.69 0.000246
TOTAL HEWLETTS CREEK WATERSHED VOLUME REDUCTION: 6354.61 849.49 0.019502
TOTAL NUMBER OF PROJECTS HEWLETTS CREEK WATERSHED 27
Drains To ICW3 Volume Reduction
Data
6252 Turtle Hall Drive Rain Garden Rain Garden 261.82 35 0.000803
TOTAL DRAINS TO ICW3 VOLUME REDUCTION: 261.82 35 0.000803
TOTAL NUMBER OF PROJECTS DRAINS TO ICW3 1
TOTAL COMBINED VOLUME REDUCTION (All Watersheds):
TOTAL COMBINED VOLUME REDUCTION (All Watersheds): 84977.48 11359.84 0.260786
TOTAL NUMBER OF PROJECTS (All Watersheds)
Volume Reduction Goals Goal (ac.ft) Gallons Actual (ac.ft.) % Achieved
Bradley Creek FY21 0.15 78361.05 0.240481 160.32
Hewletts Creek FY21 1 6616.43 0.020305 2.03

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NEW HANOVER SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
230 Market Place Drive, Suite 100
Wilmington, NC 28403

HOWBMP Quarterly Progress Report #4: April 1st – June 30th, 2021

Heal Our Waterways- Best Management Practice Installations (HOWBMP) Program

NHSWCD mission is to protect and enhance water quality throughout New Hanover County
through land conservation, stormwater management, technical support to citizens and
organizations, and conservation education and outreach activities.

To achieve this mission, NHSWCD has contractual relationships with city, county, and state
organizations. These partnerships enable NHSWCD to deliver enhanced water quality projects and
programs, as well as professional technical assistance to citizens and businesses.

SCOPE OF SERVICES:

New Hanover Soil & Water Conservation District will serve as the program/project manager to
implement the Heal Our Waterways- Best Management Practice Installations Program
(HOWBMP). The HOWBMP Program supports the City council-adopted Bradley & Hewletts
Creek Watershed Restoration Plan, with the goal of reducing the volume of polluted stormwater
runoff entering the creeks, to improve water quality.

NHSWCD will provide program and project management, implementation, reporting, and
evaluation for the installation of BMPs within the designated watersheds in conjunction with the
City’s Heal Our Waterways Program. This includes the execution of a BMP project from start to
finish following Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) guidelines and includes activities such as,
but not limited to, program promotion and outreach, cultivating and identifying BMP project
opportunities, collaboration, coordination, and timely communication with property owners and
contractors, property owner and HOA research and verification, technical assistance,
design/engineering, permitting, contracting, construction, media relations, budgeting, selection
and reimbursement of contractors, monitoring of completed projects, and reporting. NHSWCD
will utilize contractors with the proper credentials and qualifications for the work performed.

BMPs will be identified for the purpose of reducing runoff volume and pollution into Bradley
Creek, Hewletts Creek, and the associated areas that “drain directly” into the Intracoastal
Waterway. A potential BMP project’s pre-approval documentation should be provided to the City
in written/email form and include the required BMP, Property Ownership, Contractor, and
Ranking Sheet documentation, as listed in the SOP. NHSWCD will receive a written/email
response from the City to approve or deny the project, with justification. City approval must be
FY 20-21

174

acquired before installation, construction, or other contracted work. Acceptable BMPs for the
program are listed on the GIS Atlas Sheet. Projects that NHSWCD evaluate and deem to be
unworthy of funding and installation will still require the proper documentation and justification to
the City, which will be included in the City’s GIS Atlas.

A recommended minimum of 5-8 volume-reduction BMPs resulting in a total of approximately
700-1000 cubic feet of volume reduction should be installed during each annual contract period.
However, collaboration and written approval from the City would allow flexibility for unexpected
project opportunities to deviate from the recommended minimum. BMP projects should be
evaluated and prioritized based on several variables including volume reduction, benefit, cost, and
proximity to impaired waterbodies, etc.

During site evaluations, NHSWCD will utilize the required checklists to evaluate the site and
potential BMP(s), as well as communicate program specifics to the property owner. For instance,
NHSWCD will educate property owners about the Heal Our Waterways Program background, the
HOWBMP Program, the specific BMP being evaluated, maintenance expectations and annual spot
checks for the potential BMP, and will distribute pertinent info to the homeowner (maintenance
guide, BMP info sheet, HOW Brochure, business cards, etc.)

Once BMPs are installed to satisfaction, NHSWCD will provide the property owner with more
specific BMP maintenance information on-site, obtain a signed Maintenance Agreement from the
property owner, distribute Creek Friendly yard signage and other pertinent information and
program items.

Monitoring, or spot-checks, of completed BMP installations will be performed annually by
NHSWCD for compliance. Monitoring will be required for five years for residential sites, and ten
years for commercial or municipal/other BMP sites. NHSWCD will maintain a Spot Check
Tracking Summary excel database for all installations and submit it at the end of each annual
contract period. Refer to the SOP for the specific data to be included in this database.

The BMP installations will be funded by the City with a lump-sum allocation at the beginning of
the annual contract period. Any unused funds from this allocation will be reimbursed to the City
by July 30th. NHSWCD will issue any necessary tax forms to contractors or property owners.

CONTRACT REPORTING:

BMP Project Packets:
Please refer to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for a list of the documentation
requirements for BMP projects.

Reporting Due Dates & Payments:
Cumulative quarterly reports and invoices will be submitted in accordance with the following
quarters:
• July 1 - Sept 30 (1st Quarter)
• October 1 - Dec. 31 (2nd Quarter)
• January 1 -March 31 (3rd Quarter)

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• April 1 - June 30 (4th Quarter)

The 4th quarter report and invoice(s) will serve as a compiled year-end summary and will be
included in the City’s NPDES stormwater permit reporting and audit records. As the State NPDES
Program requirements evolve, so may the requested reporting requirements from the City.
Quarterly reports and invoices are due within 12 calendar days of the quarter end date and
will follow templates and instructions set forth by City Stormwater Services. However, 4th
quarter reports, invoices, and USB flash drive compilation will be due earlier than July 12 th
because of the fiscal year-end payment cutoff deadline; the City will notify the agency of the
due date during the 4th quarter.
If the reporting due date falls on a weekend or a city-observed holiday, reports are due the
following weekday by 5pm. Any reports received late, including Quarterly Reports, Quarterly
Invoices, other contract reporting, year-end USB flash drive compilation of records/reports, etc.
will result in an automatic overall reduction of the quarterly invoice payment amount according to
the following schedule:
• 1-10 calendar days late - 10% reduction of the quarterly payment amount
• 11+ calendar days late - 20% reduction of the quarterly payment amount

Reports and invoices will be paid once the quarterly progress report and invoice(s) are received
and reviewed by the City for adequate progress. Reports and invoices that do not follow
templates/instructions will be returned for correction; payment will be processed once updated
reports and invoices are received, reviewed, and approved. Non-performance or inadequate
progress may result in non-payment or reduction of payment. No pre-payment of services will
occur.

Quarterly Reports:
Quarterly reports should use the supplied template and include a summary of any contract-related
work performed within the quarter, and should list out the site visits and potential or installed
BMP projects that were conducted in the quarter in a bulleted list.
Additionally, NHSWCD will submit all materials for any BMP projects that were completed
within the quarter as one PDF file with the title format: LastName_SiteAddress.
If there was no activity in the quarter, a quarterly report should still be dated, indicate there was no
activity in the quarter, and submitted.

Quarterly Invoices:
There are two invoices that should be submitted each quarter.

The cumulative Quarterly Fee Invoice should use the supplied template which shows the % of
service completed each quarter, invoice amount, and amount remaining to be paid. If there
was no activity conducted in the quarter, a Quarterly Fee Invoice should still be dated, updated
to indicated there was no activity in the quarter, and submitted.
The cumulative Lump Sum Invoice should show the itemized receipts for any installed BMPs
in the quarter. If there was no activity in the quarter, the Lump Sum Invoice should still be
dated, updated to indicate there was no activity in the quarter, and submitted. Also, the 4th
Quarter Lump Sum Invoice should show the final balance and if there are any unspent funds.

176

If the balance is less than the full lump sum amount provided, NHSWCD will disperse a
reimbursement check to the City of Wilmington by July 30th.

Public Records Retention & USB Flash Drive
NHSWCD will maintain all records and reports related to this contract on a fiscal year (FY) basis
(July 1-June 30). These records should be retained for a period of at least 5 years. These files are
public record and should be accessible at the contracted agency location and available for
inspection and NPDES program audits.

In addition, an annual compilation of all contract/project documents, records, reports, invoices,
pertinent educational materials or other contract-related materials, will be provided to the City of
Wilmington Stormwater Services on a USB Flash Drive, CD, or DVD using the guidelines
provided in the SOP for the entire contract year (July 1 – June 30). The City will notify the agency
of the due date during the 4th quarter.

FEE SCHEDULE:

Lump Sum: NHSWCD shall receive a lump sum of $30,000 annually according to
contract terms to specifically fund Best Management Practice (BMP) installations in the Hewletts
and Bradley Creek Watersheds and drains directly to ICW areas. Copies of invoices for these
BMP installations will be provided to the City with the quarterly reports/invoices and as part of
the BMP packet for each project. Any unused funds from this allocation will be reimbursed to the
City by July 30th.

Program Admin Fee: NHSWCD shall provide quarterly reports, invoices, BMP project
packets, and other associated materials according to the schedule defined in Contract Reporting
for the total fee amount of $11,318 to execute the HOWBMP program.

Total Cost: The total cost of the Project shall not exceed $41,318 without written approval
of the City. Such approval shall be in the form of a written amendment to this Agreement
approved by the City Manager or City Council, if required, and signed by the parties.

Contact person: Stormwater Services requires one main point of contact for the management,
implementation, communication and reporting of this annual contract. This staff person will be the
individual that implements the majority of contract services, and therefore will be the most
familiar with the contract. The designated contact person is: Dru Harrison.

July 1 – September 30, 2020

Site Visits at the following Locations:
• 4121 Park Ave (Could not suggest BMP because they are located in Burnt Mill Creek)
• 151 Winter Green Rd (Suggested a backyard rain garden)
• 314 North Colony Circle (Suggested swale)
• 113 Formosa Dr. and 111 Formosa Dr. (Suggested possible backyard rain gardens in each
yard, but told homeowners they would rank low since a vegetated area is already capturing
and infiltrating stormwater. Gave them native plant list to enhance their yard on their own)

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No BMP devices were installed in this quarter.

October 1 – December 31, 2020

Technician has been in collaboration with Heal Our Waterways staff and has solidified a
document outlining the requirements and qualifications for all contractors that would like to
participate in the HOWBMP program. This document will ensure only qualified contractors are
allowed to install BMPs for the HOWBMP program. A legal document outlining the contractor
legal obligations to the program has also been produced by NHC Legal Department and approved
by City of Wilmington and HOW staff. The contractor agreement legal documentation and the
contractor requirements and qualifications document has been included in an email to potential
contractors to inform them of the opportunity to partner with the HOWBMP program by installing
approved BMPs. As stated on the contractor qualifications and requirements document, qualified
contractors are required to have obtained the NC State Residential Rain Garden Certification.
Therefore, the invitation email was sent out to the 469 people who have registered contact emails
on the compiled certification list located on the NC State website, located here:
https://www.bae.ncsu.edu/workshops-conferences/rg-201/. The email stated that interested parties
will contact the S&WCD Technician about their interest by January 6th if they would like to be
invited to site visits starting January 11th, 2021. There is at least one confirmed qualified
contractor, therefore site visits will officially resume beginning January 11th.

Obtaining tree planter vendors has proved to be challenging this quarter. The S&WCD Intern and
Technician researched types of appropriate native trees, prices of native trees, and local vendors to
invite to participate in the HOWBMP program. These vendors include local nurseries and
contractors. County and City staff discussed requirements and determined the vendors needed to
meet some established requirements to be considered by the program for tree planting. These
requirements included the ability to deliver and install the tree, as well as offer a 6 month or
yearlong warranty on the planted tree. S&WCD staff whittled down the initial research list to 5
nurseries and made multiple points of contact, including by email, phone call, and even visited one
nursery. One of the five declined participation in the program, and only one other has taken the
steps to complete the paperwork required to be a vendor with the county. To entice more qualified
installers for tree installations, S&WCD emailed 46 business owners. These businesses were
derived from the County’s Minority and Women Business Enterprise Database and other contacts
were forwarded to me by City of Wilmington staff.

No BMP devices were installed in this quarter.

No site visits occurred this quarter.

January 1st – March 31st

Site visits were conducted at the following 11 locations:

• 211 Myrtle Ave (Suggested a cistern)
• 5475 Eastwind Road (Suggested a cistern)
• 3301 Aster Court (Suggested a rain garden and cistern)
• 5202 Clear Run Drive (Suggested a rain garden)

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• 418 Clearbrook Drive (Suggested a constructed wetland)
• 6452 Quail Run Drive (Suggested tree plantings)
• 1928 Vera Court (Suggested a rain garden)
• 112 Edgewater Drive (Suggested a possible rain garden and tree plantings)
• 3241 Red Berry Drive (Suggested a rain garden in front or back yard as well as a cistern)
• 202 N Hampton Road (Suggested a constructed wetland once gutters were installed on
house)
• 5612 Maxwell Place (Suggested a cistern)

The following addresses and BMPs were preliminarily approved this quarter for HOWBMP
funding, contingent on perc test confirmation from contractor:

• 100 Hooker Rd (2 rain gardens)
• 314 N Colony Cir. (1 rain garden)
• 3529 Iris St (1 rain garden)

No BMP devices were installed in this quarter.

April 1 – June 30, 2021

Site visits were conducted at the following 5 locations:

• 117 Braxlo Lane (Suggested a rain garden)
• 202 Hooker Rd (Suggested a rain garden)
• 3505 Saint Francis Dr (Suggested two rain gardens)
• 5011 Pine Street (She was interested in pervious pavement but decided not to participate in
the program due to her selling the house this year and needing the pavers installed sooner
than what the program could deliver)
• 5505 Andrews Reach Loop (Suggested a cistern)

Annual compliance checks were performed on 17 previously installed BMPs on 5/12/2021 and on
6/12/2021. After the first compliance checks, five rain gardens were deemed to be out of
compliance and paper copies were left at their residence and emails were sent to participants
outlining the remedial changes each participant needed to perform to bring their BMP back into
compliance. Upon the second compliance check, only one rain garden was out of compliance at
3422 Tansey Close Dr. This participant’s rain garden has been out of compliance previously. A
letter of non-compliance was mailed to 3422 Tansey Close Dr. on 06/24/2021.

Final project approvals and installations for the HOWBMP program were performed this quarter.
The following projects were approved, installed, and paid:

ADDRESS BMP TYPE Volume Reduction
(cuft) AMOUNT
100 Hooker Rd. Backyard Rain Garden 266 $3,428.96
100 Hooker Rd. Roadside Rain Garden 107 $4,093.00
6252 Turtle Hall Dr. Rain Garden 35 $3,988.60
151 Wintergreen Rd. Rain Garden 62 $2,740.35
3529 Iris St. Rain Garden 134 $3,560.68

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314 N Colony Cir. Rain Garden 87 $3,175.46
3301 Aster Ct. Front Yard Rain Garden 116 $3,081.11
3301 Aster Ct. Back Yard Rain Garden 110 $3519.17
211 Myrtle Ave. Rain Garden 19 $2,268. 33
Total: 936 $29,855.66

The City of Wilmington will receive a $144.34 refund in unspent funds.
Follow up checks were performed on all 9 installed rain gardens and all passed the installation
requirements and functioned properly.

Additionally, S&WCD staff participated in “A Watershed Moment” event held at 5:30pm on
06/08/2021. S&WCD staff spoke to the 20 people that participated in the walking tour of Wade
Park about the HOWBMP program.

Report Compiled by: Dru Harrison & Haley Moccia Date: 6/25/2021

180

APPENDIX I: REGULATORY ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS
In 20-21 the Public Services Department Compliance Officer provided stormwater education and
investigated approximately 120 requests. The majority were reports of illicit discharges to the
storm drainage system followed by reports of violation of the Pet Waste section of the Stormwater
Ordinance. The following table is a detail summary of the requests for compliance intervention
for stormwater pollution issues.

ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS 2020-2021

CIVIL PENALTIES 2020-2021

DEFINITIONS: Nature of Complaint
Illicit Discharge/Sediment (Part 1, Sec. 12-22)
Complaints include reports of illicit discharges as defined by the ordinance. Reports include
allowable as well as illegal discharges which is determined after the investigation is completed.
Assessment when completed prescribes corrective action and can sometimes elevate to
enforcement. All resolution of an incident typically includes education provided to the
responsible party regarding stormwater pollution and awareness of the city ordinance as well as
the potential fines for non-compliance and repeat offenders. Written NOVs are issued for serious
offences.
Illicit Connection (Part 1, Sec. 12-23)
Reports are the result of an illicit connection that impacted the City’s stormwater system with an
illegal discharge. Assessment when completed prescribes corrective action and can sometimes
elevate to enforcement. All resolution of an incident typically includes education provided to the
responsible party regarding stormwater pollution and awareness of the city ordinance as well as
the potential fines for non-compliance and repeat offenders. Written NOVs are issued for serious
offences.
SSO (Part 1, Sec.12-24)
Sewer overflows from the CFPUA system, both reportable and not reportable. Process is
Reporting period (FY21)July 1, 2020- June 30, 2021
Nature of Complaint Number of Reports Resolved thru Public Education NOVs Incidents Referred to DWQ # Civil Penalties
Pet Waste 6 100%0 N/A 0
Outreach 6 N/A N/A N/A N/A
Illicit Discharge/Sediment 109 87.2%14 2 2
Illicit Connection 6 83.3%1 0 0
Dry Weather Flow 0 100.0%0 0 0
SSO 9 77.8%2 2 0
Totals for 1,2 and 3 121 86%17 4 2
Nature of Compliant Responsible Party Address of violation Date of Violation Total Penalty
Illicit Discharge ARRIS WILMINGTON LLC 4544 FAIRVIEW DR.1/14/21 $650.00
Illicit Discharge TARA MANAGEMENT 2251 BURNETT BLVD.7/8/20 $600.00

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described in Illicit Discharge Section. Resolution of the incident also includes reviewing the
DWQ SSO reporting form for cause and ensuring distribution of educational material pertaining to
preventing grease related spills to residents near and contributing to the incident.
Pet Waste (Part 2, Sec. 12-28)
The pet waste complaint category included any report of violation of the City’s Pet Waste
Ordinance. These complaints which are reported by citizens or city employees, due to their nature,
may not be substantiated after the investigation. Resolution of an incident includes distributing
educational material to all parties involved on the adverse health effects of pet waste pollution,
and prevention, as well as the City’s ordinance requirements and the potential fines for violations.
Blockages (Part 2, Sec. 12-29)
Blockage reports include any complaint reported which were thought to have the potential to
impede the flow of stormwater in the City’s maintained drainage system. Resolution of the
incident includes education to citizens involved directly or within the immediate area of the
incident explaining how to prevent willful blockages of the stormwater system.
Yard Waste (Part 2, Sec. 12-29)
Yard waste complaints include calls the City received reporting violations of the City’s
stormwater ordinance which prohibits the intentional raking, sweeping, blowing, washing,
directing or placing of yard waste into any part of the public drainage system which might impede
the flow of water through the system or compromise water quality. Resolution of an incident
includes removal of debris and distribution of educational material and/or explanation of the
ordinance with the possible fines.

182

APPENDIX J: MAJOR OUTFALL LOCATIONS AND DESCRIPTION TABLE

Watershed Latitude Longitude Size Material Number Classification Map
Date
Condition
Barnards
Creek
34.15865 -77.91188 6.0 X 8.0 RCP Double NPDES outfall
found
2/20/2012 Good
Barnards
Creek
34.16482 -77.92585 60 RCP Double NPDES outfall
found
2/20/2012 Good
Barnards
Creek
34.16657 -77.92957 60 RCP Triple NPDES Industrial
outfall found
11/21/2011 Good
Barnards
Creek
34.16113 -77.93105 42 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
11/2/2011 Good
Barnards
Creek
34.16134 -77.93815 18 RCP Quad NPDES Industrial
outfall found
11/14/2011 Good

Bradley
Creek
34.20898 -77.83556 3.0 X 5.0 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
1/6/2012 Good
Bradley
Creek
34.21320 -77.82715 2.0 X 4.0 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
8/29/2000 Good
Bradley
Creek
34.21952 -77.84568 90 CAP Double NPDES outfall
found
1/13/2012 Good
Bradley
Creek
34.21911 -77.85177 72 CMP Double NPDES outfall
found
1/13/2012 Good
Bradley
Creek
34.20939 -77.83654 54 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
1/6/2012 Good
Bradley
Creek
34.23066 -77.85234 54 CMP Double NPDES outfall
found
1/13/2012 Good
Bradley
Creek
34.23284 -77.84028 54 CMP Double NPDES outfall
found
1/13/2012 Good
Bradley
Creek
34.21585 -77.82498 48 CMP Single NPDES outfall
found
1/31/2012 Good
Bradley
Creek
34.21997 -77.86130 42 CMP Single NPDES outfall
found
1/13/2012 Good
Bradley
Creek
34.22630 -77.85231 42 CMP Single NPDES outfall
found
1/13/2012 Good
Bradley
Creek
34.20829 -77.83101 36 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
1/6/2012 Fair
Bradley
Creek
34.20899 -77.83554 36 CMP Single NPDES outfall
found
1/6/2012 Poor
Bradley
Creek
34.20900 -77.83553 36 CMP Single NPDES outfall
found
1/6/2012 Fair
Bradley
Creek
34.21669 -77.83399 30 CMP Single NPDES outfall
found
1/31/2012 Fair
Bradley
Creek
34.21427 -77.83470 24 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
1/13/2012 Good
Bradley
Creek
34.21440 -77.83926 24 RCP Double NPDES outfall
found
1/13/2012 Good
Bradley
Creek
34.22066 -77.83784 24 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
1/31/2012 Good

Burnt Mill
Creek
34.22878 -77.90517 11.0 X 12.0 RCP Double NPDES outfall
found
2/28/2012 Good
Burnt Mill
Creek
34.22870 -77.88923 5.0 X 6.0 CMP Double NPDES outfall
found
2/28/2012 Good
Burnt Mill
Creek
34.24617 -77.93366 72 SMP Single NPDES outfall
found
2/28/2012 Fair

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Burnt Mill
Creek
34.23148 -77.91302 66 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
11/24/2010 Good
Burnt Mill
Creek
34.24430 -77.92571 60 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
9/29/2010 Good
Burnt Mill
Creek
34.23402 -77.91972 54 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
10/26/2010 Good
Burnt Mill
Creek
34.23232 -77.91568 42 RCP Double NPDES outfall
found
11/9/2010 Good
Burnt Mill
Creek
34.23397 -77.91877 42 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
11/24/2010 Good
Burnt Mill
Creek
34.23989 -77.92258 36 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
10/5/2010 Good
Burnt Mill
Creek
34.24025 -77.92318 36 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
10/5/2010 Good
Burnt Mill
Creek
34.25344 -77.92354 30 RCP Double NPDES outfall
found
3/2/2012 Good

Drains
directly to
ICW
34.19570 -77.83301 48 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
1/6/2012 Good
Drains
directly to
ICW
34.19629 -77.82915 48 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
1/6/2012 Good
Drains
directly to
ICW
34.22229 -77.81978 48 IRON Single NPDES outfall
found
1/17/2012 Good
Drains
directly to
ICW
34.22234 -77.81985 48 IRON Single NPDES outfall
found
1/17/2012 Good
Drains
directly to
ICW
34.19503 -77.83000 36 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
11/22/2011 Good
Drains
directly to
ICW
34.19904 -77.82758 36 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
1/6/2012 Good
Drains
directly to
ICW
34.22121 -77.81566 36 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
1/17/2012 Good
Drains
directly to
ICW
34.22432 -77.81658 30 CMP Single NPDES outfall
found
1/17/2012 Good
Drains
directly to
ICW
34.22433 -77.81659 30 CMP Single NPDES outfall
found
1/17/2012 Good
Drains
directly to
ICW
34.22432 -77.81658 24 CMP Single NPDES outfall
found
1/17/2012 Good
Drains
directly to
ICW
34.16461 -77.85628 2.5 X 5.0 CMP Single NPDES outfall
found
7/19/2011 Fair

Greenfield
Lake
34.19852 -77.93558 4.0 X 6.0 CMP Triple NPDES outfall
found
2/22/2012 Good
Greenfield
Lake
34.20094 -77.93381 60 RCP Double NPDES outfall
found
2/22/2012 Good
Greenfield
Lake
34.21255 -77.93161 60 CMP Quad 2/22/2012 Good

184

Greenfield
Lake
34.21429 -77.93563 48 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
2/23/2012 Good
Greenfield
Lake
34.20127 -77.93568 42 RCP Double NPDES outfall
found
2/22/2012 Good
Greenfield
Lake
34.19964 -77.93615 36 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
2/22/2012 Good
Greenfield
Lake
34.20462 -77.93537 36 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
2/22/2012 Good
Greenfield
Lake
34.20751 -77.92997 30 RCP Triple NPDES outfall
found
2/22/2012 Good

Hewletts
Creek
34.18153 -77.86851 5.0 X 16.0 OTHER Other NPDES outfall
found
11/17/2011 Good
Hewletts
Creek
34.18020 -77.87198 90 CMP Single NPDES outfall
found
11/3/2011 Good
Hewletts
Creek
34.19421 -77.85211 60 CMP Single NPDES outfall
found
11/21/2011 Fair
Hewletts
Creek
34.17296 -77.85090 48 RCP Double NPDES outfall
found
7/28/2011 Good
Hewletts
Creek
34.18735 -77.85761 48 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
11/3/2011 Good
Hewletts
Creek
34.19359 -77.85549 48 RCP Triple NPDES outfall
found
11/18/2011 Good
Hewletts
Creek
34.17112 -77.85107 42 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
7/19/2011 Good
Hewletts
Creek
34.17879 -77.86842 42 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
2/16/2001 Good
Hewletts
Creek
34.19498 -77.85447 42 RCP Double NPDES outfall
found
11/18/2011 Good
Hewletts
Creek
34.19680 -77.84352 42 CMP Single NPDES outfall
found
11/22/2011 Fair
Hewletts
Creek
34.20042 -77.86258 42 CMP Single NPDES outfall
found
11/8/2011 Fair
Hewletts
Creek
34.18468 -77.85373 36 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
2/26/2001 Good
Hewletts
Creek
34.17878 -77.86844 30 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
11/7/2011 Good
Hewletts
Creek
34.19419 -77.85209 18 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
2/6/2001 Good
Hewletts
Creek
34.19430 -77.88617 2.0 X 4.4 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
2/24/2011 Good
Hewletts
Creek
34.19471 -77.88822 6.0 X 8.0 RCP Triple NPDES outfall
found
2/2/2011 Good
Hewletts
Creek
34.19793 -77.88484 7.7 X 15.0 CAP Single NPDES outfall
found
2/24/2011 Good

Howe Creek 34.24536 -77.82717 7.0 X 9.0 RCP Double NPDES outfall
found
5/16/2007 Good
Howe Creek 34.25450 -77.82624 72 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
2/1/2012 Good
Howe Creek 34.24701 -77.82334 66 CMP Single NPDES outfall
found
2/1/2012 Good
Howe Creek 34.24211 -77.82454 60 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
1/31/2012 Good
Howe Creek 34.24226 -77.82714 48 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
1/31/2012 Good

185

Howe Creek 34.24700 -77.82333 48 CMP Single NPDES outfall
found
2/1/2012 Good
Howe Creek 34.26158 -77.82611 48 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
2/1/2012 Good
Howe Creek 34.24225 -77.82718 42 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
1/31/2012 Good
Howe Creek 34.25029 -77.82655 42 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
2/1/2012 Good
Howe Creek 34.25030 -77.82655 42 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
2/1/2012 Good
Howe Creek 34.24083 -77.82759 36 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
5/16/2007 Good
Howe Creek 34.24304 -77.82263 36 RCP Double NPDES outfall
found
2/1/2012 Good
Howe Creek 34.24519 -77.82714 36 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
2/1/2012 Good
Howe Creek 34.24551 -77.82710 36 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
2/1/2012 Good
Howe Creek 34.24749 -77.82369 36 CMP Single NPDES outfall
found
2/1/2012 Good

Cape Fear
River
34.20807 -77.95086 10.0 X 10.0 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
3/15/2011 Good
Cape Fear
River
34.21225 -77.94608 5.8 X 8.4 RCP Triple NPDES outfall
found
3/25/2011 Good
Cape Fear
River
34.19774 -77.95482 66 RCP Single NPDES Industrial
outfall found
11/14/2011 Good
Cape Fear
River
34.20913 -77.94735 48 RCP Double NPDES outfall
found
4/1/2011 Good
Cape Fear
River
34.18028 -77.95095 36 RCP Single NPDES Industrial
outfall found
11/14/2011 Good
Cape Fear
River
34.16995 -77.94822 30 RCP Single NPDES Industrial
outfall found
11/29/2011 Good
Cape Fear
River
34.21504 -77.94755 24 RCP Single NPDES Industrial
outfall found
3/21/2011 Good
Cape Fear
River
34.17135 -77.94984 18 RCP Single NPDES Industrial
outfall found
2/21/2012 Good
Cape Fear
River
34.17294 -77.94902 18 RCP Single NPDES Industrial
outfall found
11/29/2011 Good
Cape Fear
River
34.18391 -77.95205 18 RCP Single NPDES Industrial
outfall found
Good
Cape Fear
River
34.24197 -77.95273 3.0 X 10.0 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
6/10/2011 Good
Cape Fear
River
34.21631 -77.94661 54 RCP Single NPDES Industrial
outfall found
3/15/2011 Good
Cape Fear
River
34.21646 -77.94663 54 RCP Single NPDES Industrial
outfall found
4/11/2011 Good
Cape Fear
River
34.22374 -77.95034 54 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
9/28/2009 Good
Cape Fear
River
34.23969 -77.95146 48 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
5/27/2011 Inaccessible
Cape Fear
River
34.24087 -77.95156 42 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
6/8/2011 Good
Cape Fear
River
34.24089 -77.95155 42 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
6/8/2011 Good
Cape Fear
River
34.24333 -77.95131 36 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
6/10/2011 Good

186

Cape Fear
River
34.24991 -77.95037 36 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
6/14/2011 Good
Cape Fear
River
34.25033 -77.94992 36 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
6/14/2011 Good
Cape Fear
River
34.25729 -77.94434 36 RCP Single NPDES Industrial
outfall found
6/10/2011 Good
Cape Fear
River
34.24314 -77.95131 30 CPP Single NPDES outfall
found
6/10/2011 Good
Cape Fear
River
34.24977 -77.95055 30 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
6/14/2011 Good
Cape Fear
River
34.25050 -77.94980 30 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
6/14/2011 Good
Cape Fear
River
34.22764 -77.95054 24 CMP Single NPDES outfall
found
5/16/2011 Good
Cape Fear
River
34.22889 -77.94994 24 CMP Single NPDES outfall
found
9/28/2009 Fair
Cape Fear
River
34.24200 -77.95272 24 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
6/10/2011 Good
Cape Fear
River
34.24319 -77.95121 24 CMP Single NPDES outfall
found
6/10/2011 Fair
Cape Fear
River
34.24964 -77.95067 24 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
6/14/2011 Good
Cape Fear
River
34.25245 -77.94726 24 RCP Single NPDES Industrial
outfall found
6/14/2011 Good
Cape Fear
River
34.25728 -77.94432 24 RCP Single NPDES Industrial
outfall found
6/10/2011 Good
Cape Fear
River
34.24335 -77.95138 12 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
6/10/2011 Poor
Cape Fear
River
34.25565 -77.94679 12 VCP Single NPDES Industrial
outfall found
6/14/2011 Poor
Cape Fear
River
34.23014 -77.94946 Inaccessible
-
submerged
RCP Single NPDES outfall 5/25/2011 Inaccessible

Smith Creek 34.25505 -77.87846 6.8 X 8.0 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
2/21/2012 Good
Smith Creek 34.25536 -77.87357 9.0 X 11.0 RCP Double NPDES Industrial
outfall found
2/21/2012 Good
Smith Creek 34.25739 -77.94108 Not Found UNKNOWN Single NPDES outfall
submerged
2/28/2012 Unknown
Smith Creek 34.25711 -77.90656 7.0 X 8.0 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
2/21/2012 Good
Smith Creek 34.25756 -77.91249 6.0 X 7.0 RCP Single NPDES Industrial
outfall found
2/21/2012 Good
Smith Creek 34.25718 -77.90675 72 RCP Triple NPDES outfall
found
2/21/2012 Good
Smith Creek 34.25403 -77.89263 66 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
2/21/2012 Good
Smith Creek 34.25297 -77.93964 48 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
2/28/2012 Good
Smith Creek 34.25437 -77.90027 48 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
2/21/2012 Good
Smith Creek 34.25718 -77.88761 42 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
2/21/2012 Fair
Smith Creek 34.25761 -77.91556 42 RCP Single NPDES Industrial
outfall found
2/21/2012 Good

187

Whiskey
Creek
34.16376 -77.86289 72 CMP Single NPDES outfall
found
3/27/2001 Good
Whiskey
Creek
34.16654 -77.86775 42 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
7/18/2011 Good
Whiskey
Creek
34.16362 -77.86228 36 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
3/27/2001 Good
Whiskey
Creek
34.16670 -77.86858 36 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
7/18/2011 Good
Whiskey
Creek
34.16671 -77.86860 36 RCP Single NPDES outfall
found
7/18/2011 Good
Whiskey
Creek
34.16779 -77.87648 5.5 X 7.0 CMP Single NPDES outfall
found
7/18/2011 Good

188

APPENDIX K: DEFINITIONS

Act
See Clean Water Act.

Built-upon Area
That portion of a development project that is covered by impervious or partially
impervious surface including, but not limited to, buildings; pavement and gravel areas
such as roads, parking lots, and paths; and recreation facilities such as tennis courts.
"Built-upon area" does not include a wooden slatted deck, the water area of a swimming
pool, or pervious or partially pervious paving material to the extent that the paving
material absorbs water or allows water to infiltrate through the paving material.

Clean Water Act
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act, also known as the Clean Water Act
(CWA), as amended, 33 USC 1251, et. seq.

Common Plan of Development
A construction or land disturbing activity is part of a larger common plan of development
if it is completed in one or more of the following ways:
• In separate stages
• In separate phases
• In combination with other construction activities
It is identified by the documentation (including but not limited to a sign, public notice or
hearing, sales pitch, advertisement, loan application, drawing, plats, blueprints, marketing
plans, contracts, permit application, zoning request, or computer design) or physical
demarcation (including but not limited to boundary signs, lot stakes, or surveyor markings)
indicating that construction activities may occur on a specific plot. It can include one
operator or many operators.

Department
Department means the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Division (DWQ)
The Division of Water Quality, Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Director
The Director of the Division of Water Quality, the permit issuing authority.

Dry Weather Flow
Any flow in the MS4 that occurs after a 72 hour period without rain.

EMC
The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission.

Illicit Discharge
Any discharge to a MS4 that is not composed entirely of stormwater except .discharges
pursuant to an NPDES permit (other than the NPDES MS4 permit), allowable non-

189

stormwater discharges, and discharges resulting from fire-fighting activities.

Industrial Activity
For the purposes of this permit, industrial activities shall mean all industrial activities as
defined in 40 CFR 122.26.

Large or Medium Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System
All municipal separate storm sewers that are either:
(a) Located in an incorporated place with a population of 100,000 or more as
determined by the Decennial Census by the Bureau of Census; or
(b) Located in the counties with unincorporated urbanized populations of
100,000 or more, except municipal separate storm sewers that are located
in the incorporated places, townships or towns within such counties; or
(c) Owned or operated by a municipality other than those described in
paragraph (a) or (b) and that are designated by the Director as part of the
large or medium separate storm sewer system.

Major municipal separate storm sewer outfall (or "major outfall")
Major municipal separate storm sewer outfall (or "major outfall") means a municipal
separate storm sewer outfall that discharges from a single pipe with an inside diameter of
36 inches or more or its equivalent (discharge from a single conveyance other than
circular pipe which is associated with a drainage area of more than 50 acres); or for
municipal separate storm sewers that receive storm water from lands zoned for industrial
activity (based on comprehensive zoning plans or the equivalent), an outfall that
discharges from a single pipe with an inside diameter of 12 inches or more or from its
equivalent (discharge from other than a circular pipe associated with a drainage area of 2
acres or more).

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)
Pursuant to 40 CFR 122.26(b)(8) means a conveyance or system of conveyances (including
roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, manmade
channels, or storm drains):
(a) Owned or operated by the United States, a State, city, town, county,
district, association, or other public body (created by or pursuant to State
law) having jurisdiction over disposal of sewage, industrial wastes,
stormwater, or other wastes, including special districts under State law
such as a sewer district, flood control district or drainage district, or
similar entity, or an Indian tribe or an authorized Indian tribal
organization, or a designated and approved management agency under
Section 208 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) that discharges to waters of
the United States or waters of the State.
(b) Designed or used for collecting or conveying
storm water;
(c) Which is not a combined sewer; and
(d) Which is not part of a Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) as defined
in 40 CFR 122.2

190

Non-stormwater Discharge Categories
The following are categories of non-stormwater discharges that the permittee shall
address if it identifies them as significant contributors of pollutants to the storm sewer
system: water line flushing, landscape irrigation, diverted stream flows, rising
groundwater, uncontaminated groundwater infiltration, [as defined in 40 CFR
35.2005(20)], uncontaminated pumped groundwater, discharges from potable water
sources, foundation drains, air conditioning condensation, irrigation water, springs,
water from crawl space pumps, footing drains, lawn watering, individual residential car
washing, flows from riparian habitats and wetlands, dechlorinated swimming pool
discharges, and street wash water (discharges or flows from fire fighting activities are
excluded from the definition of illicit discharge and only need to be addressed where
they are identified as significant sources of pollutants to waters of the United States).

Non-structural SCM
Non-structural SCMs are preventive actions that involve management and source controls
such as: (I) Policies and ordinances that provide requirements and standards to direct
growth to identified areas, protect sensitive areas such as wetlands and riparian areas,
maintain and/or increase open space, provide buffers along sensitive water bodies,
minimize impervious surfaces, and/or minimize disturbance of soils and vegetation; (2)
policies or ordinances that encourage infill development in higher density urban areas, and
areas with existing storm sewer infrastructure; (3) education programs for developers and
the public about minimizing water quality impacts; (4) other measures such as minimizing
the percentage of impervious area after development, use of measures to minimize directly
connected impervious areas, and source control measures often thought of as good
housekeeping, preventive maintenance and spill prevention.

Outfall
Outfall means a point source as defined by 40 CFR 122.2 at the point where a municipal
separate storm sewer discharges to waters of the United States and does not include open
conveyances connecting two municipal separate storm sewers, or pipes, tunnels or other
conveyances which connect segments of the same stream or other waters of the United
States and are used to convey waters of the United States.

Permittee
The owner or operator issued this permit.

Point Source Discharge of Storm water
Any discernible, confined and discrete conveyance including, but not specifically limited
to, any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, conduit, well, or discrete fissure from which
stormwater is or may be discharged to waters of the state.

Redevelopment
Means any rebuilding activity unless that rebuilding activity;
(a) Results in no net increase in built-upon area, and
(b) Provides equal or greater stormwater control than the previous development.

Representative Storm Event

191

A storm event that measures greater than 0.1 inches of rainfall and that is preceded
by at least 72 hours in which no storm event measuring greater than 0.1 inches has
occurred. A single storm event may contain up to 10 consecutive hours of no
precipitation. For example, if it rains for 2 hours without producing any collectable
discharge, and then stops, a sample may be collected if a rain producing a discharge
begins again within the next 10 hours.
Storm Sewer System
Is a conveyance or system of conveyances which are designed or used to collect or
convey stormwater runoff that is not part of a combined sewer system or treatment
works. This can include, but is not limited to, streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters,
ditches, man-made channels or storm drains that convey stormwater runoff.

Stormwater Associated with Industrial Activity
The discharge from any point source which is used for collecting and conveying
stormwater and which is directly related to manufacturing, processing or raw material
storage areas at an industrial site. Facilities considered to be engaged in "industrial
activities" include those activities defined in 40 CFR 122.26(b)(l4). The term does not
include discharges from facilities or activities excluded from the NPDES program

Stormwater Control Measure (SCM)
Measures or practices used to reduce the amount of pollution entering surface waters.
SCMs can be structural or non-structural and may take the form of a process, activity,
physical structure or planning (see non-structural SCM).

Stormwater Management Program (SWMP)
The term Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) refers to the stormwater
management program that is required by the Phase I and Phase II regulations to be
developed by MS4 permittees.

Stormwater Plan
The Stormwater Plan is the written plan that is used to describe the various control
measures and activities the permittee will undertake to implement the stormwater
management program. The Stormwater Plan is a consolidation of all of the permittee's
relevant ordinances or other regulatory requirements, the description of all programs
and procedures (including standard forms to be used for reports and inspections) that
will be implemented and enforced to comply with the permit and to document the
selection, design, and installation of all stormwater control measures.

Stormwater Runoff
The flow of water which results from precipitation and which occurs immediately
following rainfall or as a result of snowmelt.

Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)
A TMDL is a calculation of the maximum amount of a pollutant that a waterbody can
receive and still meet water quality standards, and an allocation of that amount to the
pollutant's sources. A TMDL is a detailed water quality assessment that provides the

192

scientific foundation for an implementation plan. The implementation plan outlines the
steps necessary to reduce pollutant loads in a certain body of water to restore and maintain
water quality standards in all seasons. The Clean Water Act, Section 303, establishes the
water quality standards and TMDL programs.

Watershed Restoration Plan
For purposes of this permit, a Watershed Restoration Plan is any plan developed in
consultation with the Division for voluntary implementation with the intent of enhancing
water quality and/or implementing stormwater BMPs within 303(d) listed waters.