TOWN OF CARY BEGINs NEXT PHASE OF INVENTORYING STORMWATER STRUCTURES

CARY , NC – As part of its ongoing effort to protect area waterways and to meet state and federal regulations, the Town of Cary has begun Phase IV of its multi-year Stormwater Infrastructure inventory throughout southern Cary ; the inventory is expected to run through February 2008.  During the inventory, contractors working for the Town will collect information on underground pipes, streams and other minor drainage ways in a 17.2-square mile survey area.

The Town has mailed letters to affected homes and business owners notifying them about what to expect during the inventory; also, door hangers are being posted in affected areas one week prior to assessments.  As part of the process, contractors will be on public and private and property identifying and assessing stormwater structures.  Unlike wastewater, which is treated before it is released back into the environment, stormwater flows through the structures into a community's ponds, streams and lakes.  The inventory data is expected to help the Town identify and resolve any stormwater issues that may impact Cary ’s water quality.

“Crews will primarily focus on locating drainage structures and measuring pipe openings and channels,” said Stormwater Program Analyst Betsy Pearce.  Pearce added that the inventory should have minimal impact on citizens.

As part of the inventory, the Town’s contractors, Withers & Ravenel, Inc. of Cary , will be wearing orange vests and ID badges.  They will not be clearing or cutting any vegetation or personal property; if a stormwater structure is obstructed, the contractor will obtain the property owner’s permission before using any special tools to obtain access.  Also, the contractors will not be able to address stormwater concerns; citizens should call the Town’s Customer Service line at (919) 469-4090 to report problems with stormwater structures.

The inventory is part of the Town’s multi-year effort to comply with the NC Neuse Stormwater Rules and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II Stormwater Regulations.  Cary began taking inventory of stormwater structures in 2002, after the Neuse River Stormwater Rules passed in 1996, which required the Town and 14 other municipalities in the Neuse River Basin to implement stormwater programs and map 10 percent of their stormwater systems annually.  The Town of Cary later received its NPDES Phase II Stormwater Permit in July 2005, which also mandated mapping the drainage system.  Already, the Town has taken inventory of stormwater structures on 12.4 square miles since 2002. 

“Once phase four of the inventory is finished, we will have completed inventory on more than half of the Town’s 53 square miles,” noted Pearce. “We will then be one step closer to meeting our goal of creating a comprehensive Geographic Information System map of the stormwater drainage system.” 

Also, information collected during the inventory will help ensure that develop an infrastructure maintenance schedule; identify illegal discharges and track spills; provide assistance in addressing localized flooding and drainage problems; develop priorities for watershed master planning; and identify priorities for stormwater retrofits and future capital improvement needs. 

Throughout the year, the Town’s Stormwater division educates citizens and businesses about stormwater awareness.  An educational message, “Only Rain Should go Down the Drain”, is included in utility bill inserts and other mailings, newspaper advertisements, workshops and on the Town’s Web site.  Also, staff members are available to advise home and business owners and to speak to civic groups.  

Citizens are also encouraged to minimize impacts to the stormwater system as follows:

• Volunteer to stencil storm drains.

• Never place anything down a storm drain.

• Reduce impervious areas so that rain can soak into the ground naturally.

• Protect riparian areas.

• Conserve water.

• Use native plants.

• Limit the use of fertilizer and never fertilize before a rainstorm.

• Clean up after your pets.

• Wash your car at a commercial car wash or where the water can soak into the ground.

• Reduce, recycle and reuse.

• Dispose of household hazardous waste properly.

For more on the inventory project, visit Stormwater Inventory at www.townofcary.org.

###