AG 2007 06 18 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Sewage Treatment Technologies in Use a~ 3i 2i Major considerations: In years past, issues related to stormwater may have been addressed on a piecemeal basis or as part of other infrastructure systems, such as high- ways. New regulations growing out of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination Systems (M'llES) progam require designated local governments to address stormwater runoH in a more concerted fashion as part of the effort to protect the nation's rivers, stceams and other surface waters. Stonnwater runoff causes concerns because of excess nutrients and pesticides Flowing from lawns, oil residue that washes off dry streets and a host of other chenilcals that can harm water qualiry and aquatic life.l'he NPDES rules have been implemented in two phases. North Carolina's six largest municipalities came under its requirements in 1990. An additional 130 municipalities fall under the program's second phase, Nhich we~~t into effect in Match 2004. Most communitles are sdll learning what these new regularions will mean for them. At a glance ^ The sun~ey identified 465 municipal stormwater systems for further analysis. ^ These include all municipalities covered by Phase I and II of the NPDTS regulations. ^ Other stocmwater systems identified but not included in the analysis were systems owned by 58 counties that indicated they are confronting stocmwater issues and by the N.C. llepartment of'fransportation. ^ Appro~mately half of all North Carolinians live in a municipality operating a stormwater system. ^ About half of these communities report at least a modeiate incidence of flooding. ~"'~ 9 so~io