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Wendell staff report MS4 stormwater program accepted by state; town readies public hotline and inspection processes
Summary
Town staff told the board that the town's stormwater management plan for the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) was approved by the state (North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality) for the Phase II five-year permit cycle after the town satisfied earlier Notices of Violation; staff outlined six minimum control measures and new
Town stormwater staff reported to the Wendell Board of Commissioners that the town successfully submitted its stormwater management plan and that the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has approved the town for the next five-year MS4 (municipal separate storm sewer system) Phase II permit cycle following the town’s responses to prior Notices of Violation.
Staff reviewed work performed to meet the six minimum control measures required under the NPDES MS4 program implemented under the federal Clean Water Act and enforced by the state. The measures include public education and outreach, public involvement and participation, illicit discharge detection and elimination, construction site runoff controls, post-construction runoff controls, and pollution prevention/good housekeeping for municipal operations. The presentation noted several implemented actions: a new stormwater ordinance adopted by the council, a 24/7 stormwater hotline monitored by the stormwater administrator and town engineer, conveyance pipe inspections during construction, a facility inspection program, and employee spill-response training.
Why it matters: MS4 permit compliance is a prerequisite for municipal stormwater regulation and affects how the town inspects construction sites, manages post-construction stormwater controls, and educates residents about pollution prevention. The state’s acknowledgement that prior NOVs were satisfied means the town may proceed under the next five-year compliance cycle with DEQ oversight.
Board comment: commissioners praised staff for implementing inspection and hotline programs and for coordinating with Wake County on construction site runoff control. Staff said an updated town webpage with stormwater documents would be launched imminently to provide public access to program materials and reporting.
Next steps: staff will complete the public-facing web materials, continue annual inspections of post-construction controls and oversee implementation of conveyance inspections and other procedural improvements mandated under the MS4 permit.
