Many existing ponds were adopted as SCMs at the start of the City's Stormwater Management program. As more raw land was developed, the SCM inventory grew to approximately 580 by 1998 and to almost 700 by 2014. The City's SCM inventory presently tops 1,100. The City's National Pollution Detection & Elimination System permit, issued by the Department of Environmental Quality, requires annual SCM inspections and regular maintenance.
As the City grows its population, businesses, and paved areas, the need to control flooding and water pollution from runoff during storm events becomes more pressing. Several measures were developed to address this issue and adopted into the City’s ordinance through a North Carolina State requirement. These measures have become known as SCMs.
Since the introduction of stormwater control devices, the City has strived to minimize SCM repair costs. However, this SCM program must grow with the City and continually adapt so residents receive the best water quality and services. This new program was adapted with the following items in mind:
Financial burdens increase with prolonged or missed inspections and maintenance.
- As inspections fall behind, SCM maintenance costs increase annually, which adds stress to the owner(s).
Regular maintenance increases the quality of our local water resources.
- When SCMs are working properly, these stormwater devices help to filter pollutants out of stormwater before it enters streams and lakes, which contribute to our drinking water supply.
Other cities with programs like this see substantial benefits including:
- Increased property values
- Cleaner water
- Less SCM failures due to preemptive investigation.
To support proactive owners who were the first to join the SCM self-reporting program, the Stormwater Division's Water Quality Section developed step-by-step procedures to complete annual inspections through certified inspectors.
