Stormwater is water that accumulates on land as a result of storms, and can include runoff from urban areas such as roads and roofs.
Stormwater mitigation has become a cornerstone of building and renovation projects at UNC. Carolina has agreed not to increase the volume, rate, or pollutant load of stormwater leaving campus after building and renovating 5.9 million square feet of space. In order to meet this ambitious goal, each project that adds impervious space must submit a stormwater management plan.
Additionally, UNC operates its own stormwater system under the EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II Program. The UNC stormwater system is comprised of hundreds of catch basins and inlets, miles of piping, dozens of structural best management practices (BMPs) and outfalls that discharge stormwater into nearby creeks. Visit Environment, Health and Safety's new stormwater management website for comprehensive information on stormwater management efforts at UNC.
In 2002 a Water, Stormwater, and Wastewater Manager was hired to coordinate all water-related issues on campus. Two years later a Stormwater Management Plan detailing stormwater mitigation strategies for the campus was developed.
Instead of being treated as a problem, stormwater is now seen as an opportunity for reuse and groundwater recharge. Current methods of stormwater mitigation at UNC include:
In 2006-2007, the Grounds Department held a stormwater landscape competition among grounds crews. Individual crews drew up plans and planted areas to make them more attractive and increase infiltration of stormwater into the soil. Cash prizes, donated by Grounds Supervisors, were awarded for the best plantings. The competition, a method of increasing soil permeability, strengthening grounds crews' interest in stormwater plantings, and recognizing employees for outstanding work, is set to continue on an annual basis.
UNC has also searched for illicit discharges, which include sewer leaks and old fixtures that are connected to the wrong sewer system, so that they can be repaired. Divers have explored some piped sections of Meeting of the Waters Creek. Additionally, a GIS map of the stormwater system has been completed.
To discourage dumping, campus storm drains are labeled with "No Dumping, Drains to Creek" markers. Many campus organizations, encouraged by the Environment Health & Safety Office, have conducted creek clean ups at Meeting of the Waters, Battle Branch and Bolin Creek.