Who?
Stormwater SMART was created by the Piedmont Triad Council of Governments (PTCOG) to assist local governments in meeting and exceeding stormwater outreach and education requirements under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting program. This is an unfunded federal mandate that requires many of our local governments to implement a comprehensive stormwater management program. Stormwater SMART and our member governments believe addressing stormwater runoff as a community is essential to reducing pollution at a watershed level.
What?
NPDES Phase I and II stormwater permitting programs were established under the federal Clean Water Act and delegated to the North Carolina Division of Water Quality (DWQ) for implementation. Phase I began in 1990 and applies to NC local governments with populations of more than 100,000. These included larger cities like Raleigh, Durham, Charlotte, Winston-Salem, and Greensboro. Each of these municipalities now implements a stormwater management program including public education, illicit discharge detection and elimination, and water quality monitoring. Phase II is an expansion of the NPDES Phase I program and addresses stormwater discharge from communities serving less than 100,000 persons. Stormwater SMART works with Phase II communities in the Piedmont Triad.
Where?
Stormwater SMART is supported by member fees from 17 local governments. Members attend quarterly board meetings and guide the Stormwater SMART Education Coordinator in program development. Currently, Stormwater SMART provides stormwater outreach and education services to Davidson County, Randolph County, Archdale, Asheboro, Burlington, Elon, Gibsonville, Graham, Green Level, Haw River, High Point, Lexington, Mebane, Randleman, Summerfield, Thomasville, and Trinity.
When?
Stormwater SMART was created in 2004/2005 from a North Carolina Department of Water Quality 205 (j) grant. We work year-round with our local governments and ensure they are well represented in their communities. Stormwater SMART is particularly active in the fall when fairs and festivals are abundant.
How?
Best management practices or BMPs are the methods by which the adverse impacts of development and redevelopment are addressed. Structural BMPs are man made systems created and designed to control the quality or quantity of stormwater runoff. Non-structural BMPs are the pollution prevention and education and outreach practices that can lessen the impact of stormwater runoff or prevent pollutants from entering waterbodies. Stormwater SMART focuses primarily on non-structural BMPs by:
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increasing of the awareness of people on how their lifestyles affect the region and the world they live in,
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increasing outreach efforts to minority and low income communities, and
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informing individuals about environmentally safe alternatives to everyday actions.
Stormwater SMART feels the best way to communicate the impacts of stormwater runoff is through personal interaction. You’ll find us in the classroom, on the streets, in local libraries, at fairs and festivals, hanging out with the Scouts, working with community groups, and mucking around in streams. We stay flexible (literally) so we can meet the needs of our supporting communities. Click here for more information on North Carolina Phase II regulations.
Click here to view
our 2007-2008 Annual Report.
Click here to view
our 2008-2009 Annual Report.
