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Stormwater Management
Through a Stormwater Intergovernmental Agreement, Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources inspects and maintains the public storm drainage systems throughout the City of Lilburn. Stormwater infrastructure may include storm pipe, drains, and other structures in public street right of ways or green infrastructure such as open ditches, swales and infiltration trenches on city property. Working with city staff to enforce recorded maintenance agreements, residential subdivisions and commercial stormwater detention ponds, etc. may be subject to inspection every five years.
To report a water service interruption, sewer service overflow or illicit discharge to the stormwater system, contact the Gwinnett County Dispatch Center at 678-376-7000 for immediate assistance.
STORMWATER 101
Those drains in the parking lot or on the curb are often referred to as “sewers.” While this may be technically true, they are not part of the sanitary sewer system, meaning those drains do not lead to treatment facilities. Stormwater drains direct runoff from parking lots, rooftops, sidewalks, outdoor storage areas, dumpster pads, etc, to underground pipes that discharge into surface waters. This is because the purpose of the stormwater drainage system is primarily to prevent flooding and not to filter the runoff. This means that any pollutants left on the ground or discharged to the drain or the parking lot leading to a drain, can combine with runoff and cause pollution in our waterways. This pollution is easily prevented by having spill response in place, proper outdoor storage, and employee training. The US EPA has great tip sheets for businesses.
CLEAN WATER ACT
The Clean Water Act is an important piece of legislation that was approved in the early 1970’s and has been protecting water quality for decades. The CWA includes a section called the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, or NPDES, which creates permits for various industries including construction, municipal stormwater, and industries. Some businesses are required to obtain coverage under the industrial Stormwater General Permit and comply with certain requirements and regulations that help protect surface waters and groundwater. More information about which businesses require coverage under this permit can be found at www.epd.georgia.gov/watershed-protection-branch/stormwater.
STORMWATER INFORMATION FOR RESIDENTS
Free to city residents, the City of Lilburn will deliver one truckload per year of drainage rocks to qualifying properties. This is for erosion control purposes only, not for driveways or decoration. Submit a request for service and photo online to initiate site assessment by city staff. Stormwater Manager will determine drainage situation and eligibility for delivery of type III rock to the right of way of the address provided. Customer must move rock to the area of erosion concern. Rock is not recommended in place of vegetation, or to line the bottom of a natural drainageway that incurs frequent flows as a tributary or stream; all rock should be placed by hand into the eroding sides in a manner that ensures the water volume does not exceed the capacity of ditch or dislodge the rock.
According to the City of Lilburn development regulations, it is the responsibility of the property owner to maintain all stormwater management facilities and private drainage easements, including detention ponds and green infrastructure (GI)such as swales, infiltration areas, and even downspout drainage. The property owner could be a homeowners’ association (HOA) with a detention pond or GI on a common parcel. If there is no HOA, the responsibility for maintenance falls on the owner(s) of the property on which the pond or GI lies. Organized neighborhood workdays at the detention pond or GI by the owner and residents can be very effective in preventing expensive repairs.
The City of Lilburn has many homes served by septic systems. This is an efficient and environmentally friendly way to treat wastewater from your home. Septic systems recharge groundwater, handle smaller amounts of waste than sewer systems, and encourage water conservation. However, regular maintenance is necessary to prevent possible failures.
When septic systems fail, they can be a significant source of water pollution in local streams and ponds. Untreated waste can seep to the surface and run off with rainwater to reach these waterways. Many septic owners think that if there isn’t an obvious problem, then there isn’t a need to do maintenance. This is not true!
Think of septic maintenance like changing the oil in your car. You can drive your car a long time without an oil change, but then problems will arise and eventually there will be a catastrophic failure. In septic systems, symptoms like slow drains, gurgling toilets, and wet spots in the yard can indicate that maintenance is past due. If left unmaintained, these systems can fail and pollute the City of Lilburn’s waterways.
Be sure to have your septic tank pumped out every three to five years by a licensed septic contractor and permit any repairs with Gwinnett County Environmental Health Department. This practice will lead to a longer life for your system while helping to protect Lilburn’s waterways. For more information, visit check out the “Homeowner’s Guide to Septic System Maintenance” or contact the Environmental Health Department directly at 770.963.5132.
Stormwater Information for Businesses
All pollution is concerning, but some streams or rivers have a pollutant of concern. This is the material or substance that is causing a negative impact on the water quality of waterbody. It could be bacteria, nutrients, sediment, heavy metals, or petroleum-based products in addition to many others. The pollutant of concern can be identified on the State of Ga’s 303(d) list of impaired waterbodies. You may find that your personal property or business deals with materials that could contribute to this problem, which is why taking steps to prevent stormwater discharges is so important.
Storing some materials outdoors is often a solution to the need for space indoors. However, it can also be a source of water pollution. If items stored outside are not properly covered, closed, or contained, rainwater interacting with that storage area could contaminate runoff and contribute to stormwater pollution. This could be considered a violation of the city’s Illicit Stormwater Discharges Ordinance. So be sure to cover outdoor storage, provide secondary containment, and check the condition of materials stored outdoors regularly to prevent stormwater pollution.
Having a clean fleet is an important part of running a successful business. However, it is important to be sure clean vehicles don’t come at the cost of a polluted environment. When wash water from vehicle washing enters a storm drain, it is directed to streams and ponds. This is because storm drains are not sewers. They are separate systems intended only to alleviate flooding. Vehicle wash water may contain soap, grease and oil, paint chips, and metals. Discharging vehicle wash water can lead to pollution and may also violate local ordinances protecting stormwater quality. Next time, make sure wash water can soak into the ground or be directed to an indoor drain. Otherwise, a commercial car wash may be the best way to have a clean fleet and a clean environment!
The common phrase “garbage in, garbage out” can relate to many different situations, but should never relate to your business’ dumpster. Rust and corrosion can lead to holes and cracks in dumpsters that allow the garbage in the dumpster to escape with rainwater and enter a storm drain, which can lead to water pollution. I addition to that, missing drain plugs or broken lids can contribute to the problem. Be sure to keep dumpster lids closed and check for corrosion. If the dumpster is in poor condition, ask the hauler to replace it. This is a normal part of the service agreement and will ensure the garbage stays in.
Spills happen. Leaks, too. It is an inevitable part of handling liquids, storing materials, or operating vehicles. The important thing is that the business is prepared to respond to spills and leaks. Having a spill kit close to storage areas or activities where spills may occur and ensuring that kit is accessible is a good start to managing spills. Drip pans are an effective way to catch leaks until a repair can be made. However, none of these tactics work if employees don’t know how to use them! Training staff to recognize problems and know how to respond is key to preventing pollution from spills and leaks. Include spill response in a morning meeting, safety update, or even on a flyer posted near the kit. Next time a spill or leak happens, make sure the cleanup happens, too.
A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan, or SWPPP, is plan that helps businesses protect stormwater from pollution associated with work on their property. A SWPPP may be required for some industrial businesses. The basic components are a site and activity description, a site map that includes sources of potential pollution, a description of controls to reduce pollutants, and procedures for maintenance and inspection. This will allow the business to prepare for and respond to potential pollutant discharges associated with outdoor activity, and is an excellent tool for training staff on site-specific pollution prevention. For a detailed guide to developing your SWPPP, visit the link below.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is stormwater?
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Stormwater is water from rain. In urban and suburban environments, stormwater often refers to the water that flows from the rooftops and paved surfaces, otherwise known as runoff.
- What is an impervious surface?
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Impervious surfaces are solid surfaces that cover the ground and prevent stormwater from infiltrating into the soil. Examples of impervious surfaces include: driveways, sidewalks, buildings, and parking lots.
- How does the stormwater drainage system work?
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The stormwater drainage system receives rainwater when runoff flows into drainage structures. Gravity moves the water through the pipes until it reaches a waterway. Stormwater systems can be very short, with only one drain and one pipe, or they can be a complex series of drains and pipes that lead to a waterway.
- What is nonpoint source pollution?
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NonPoint Source Pollution (NPS) is pollution that comes from diffuse sources, i.e. sources that are spread out and widely scattered. This means that the pollutant is coming from many locations, in small amounts. NPS is usually associated with stormwater because the runoff generated during rain events can carry pollutants from the ground to the stream.
- How is the stormwater system managed in Lilburn?
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The City of Lilburn has entered into an agreement with Gwinnett County for services to the stormwater system. Some of the tasks that Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources performs are: inspection of the drainage system, repairs to the system, and educating the public about the system.
- Why shouldn’t I pour cooking grease down the drain?
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Fats, oils, and grease create clogs that can cause a backup in your home’s plumbing or in the public sewer system, which can lead to a sewage overflow into the environment.” Check out the Gwinnett County website for more information.