Stormwater and Environmental Education
Stormwater is rainfall or snow melt that flows across surfaces into our creeks and rivers, often picking up various pollutants. This water is not treated, so polluted water flows into creeks and rivers, creating North Carolina’s top water-quality problem. Clean water creates a healthy environment, which means better health and cost savings.
The town partners with Orange County to provide educational programs and presentations to school groups, local watershed groups, elected officials, civic groups, developers, contractors and other groups interested in learning more about stormwater issues. Topics include preventing stormwater pollution, maintaining stormwater ponds and other best practices.
Community members and organizations also can adopt local streams or participate in community conservation projects, including creating wetlands.
The Eno River Association is the town’s partner in preserving and conserving lands along the Eno River. Community members can join the association's stream monitoring program to help protect the local watershed.
The town also is a supporting member of the Clean Water Education Partnership. This program is a cooperative effort between local governments, state agencies and nonprofit organizations to protect water quality in the Tar-Pamlico, Neuse and Cape Fear river basins through outreach and education.
It is illegal to pour substances down storm drains or into stormwater ditches or any other part of the storm sewer system. Only stormwater may be discharged into the stormwater system. The town is required to find and eliminate illicit discharges.
Hillsborough maintains a geographic information system database of all its stormwater facilities. The system assists stormwater staff in detecting and eliminating illicit discharges.
Suspected illicit discharges can be reported by email or by calling 919-296-9621 or 919-296-9622.
The division periodically publishes the Stormwater Almanac with news and information on the division's recent projects.
Elon University students worked with the town’s Stormwater and Environmental Services division to create two websites on green infrastructure and climate change:
- Enhance Your Yard with Green Infrastructure focuses on an approach to water management that works with the natural water cycle.
- Climate Impact in Residential Areas spotlights effects of climate change on local area and actions residents can take in response.
Climate Impact — The Effect of Rainfall Intensity on Flooding
Do You Like to Fish — Stormwater runoff pollution and its effect on fish
Don't Go Down the Drain — Stormwater runoff pollution and its effect on businesses
Hydrilla: An Invasive Plant Threatening Waterways
