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Town of Wendell reports state approval of MS4 stormwater management program and outlines compliance steps
Summary
Town staff told the board the town's municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) program and stormwater management plan were acknowledged by North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and the town will continue required minimum control measures and public outreach.
WENDELL, N.C. — Town staff updated the Board of Commissioners that the town’s municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) stormwater management plan has been submitted and the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) has acknowledged the town’s program as part of the state’s permitting cycle.
On behalf of the stormwater program, staff reviewed the six minimum control measures required under the federal Clean Water Act NPDES MS4 permit: public education and outreach; public involvement and participation; illicit discharge detection and elimination; construction-site runoff control; post-construction stormwater management; and pollution prevention/good housekeeping for municipal operations. Staff reported the town established an ordinance addressing illicit discharges, set up a 24/7 stormwater hotline monitored by the stormwater administrator and engineer, developed annual inspection processes for post-construction controls, and initiated conveyance pipe inspections during construction.
Why it matters
MS4 compliance controls how municipalities manage stormwater pollution and ensures local development and operations reduce runoff, erosion and water-quality impacts to receiving waters. NCDEQ review can produce Notices of Violation (NOVs) or recommendations; staff reported prior state NOVs were addressed and the town’s program is approved for the next five-year MS4 phase.
Next steps
Staff said the town will launch a redeveloped stormwater web page and continue outreach work (creek cleanups, litter sweeps, track-out prevention). They will continue to implement inspection and maintenance programs and coordinate construction permitting processes with Wake County.
Ending
Commissioners praised staff for getting the program into compliance and for implementing tools (weather station, hotline, inspections) to improve safety and erosion control in the town’s rights-of-way and park properties.
