The overall goal of the this stormwater outreach and education partnership of local governments is to meet the needs of NPDES Phase II jurisdictions that otherwise would not have the resources to plan for and implement a strong outreach initiative. This website is designed to raise awareness about the impacts of stormwater runoff on water bodies and communicate the steps the public can take to reduce pollutants in stormwater run off. Stormwater SMART Local Governments:
What is NPDES Phase II? The Clean Water Act or (CWA) was enacted in 1972 to address water pollution. The initial focus was reducing point sources of pollution from industry and municipal wastewater dischargers. However, the problem was greater and more difficult than controlling these known pollutant dischargers.
In 1987, the clean water act was amended by Congress to target non point sources of pollution – or stormwater runoff through the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). NPDES has been implemented in two phases: :
Phase I: Targeted “medium" and "large" municipal storm sewer systems (Greensboro and Winston-Salem.)
Phase II: Targets small requires NPDES permit coverage for small municipal storm sewer systems and construction activity disturbing between 1 and 5 acres of land. 19 municipalities and parts of four counties in our region are impacted by Phase II of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), which means these jurisdictions are mandated to meet NPDES Permit requirements and develop a comprehensive stormwater management program. Two of the six minimum measures required through the NPDES permitting process is for affected local governments to 1) develop an ongoing education and outreach program and 2) involve the public in stormwater runoff prevention activities and in the planning of the stormwater management program. | 
