Technical Reports
These publications were written with a scientific audience in mind. Less technical reports are also available.
To have a storm drain system that carries rainwater away from developed areas to creeks and lakes, the city is required by the federal Clean Water Act to have a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.
This permit is the basis of many of the following documents. This permit is evaluated every 5 years to adapt to changing water quality needs and technological advances. The following link is for the permit from October 10, 2018 - October 9, 2023 (PDF).
The city provides the state with an annual report on stormwater management. This report is required by the city’s federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.
The report provides information about new initiatives and programs, compares collected data to water quality standards, and summarizes water quality investigations. It also outlines how the city met the minimum permit requirements in the areasof: public education and outreach, public participation and involvement, illicit discharge detection and elimination, post-construction runoff, municipal pollution prevention and good housekeeping, industrial inspection, and water quality monitoring and assessment.
Note: Beginning in 2007-2008, the reporting period changed from running July 1 through June 30 to running from October 1 through September 30.
A stormwater management plan outlines how the city intends to meet the requirements of its minimum NPDES permit requirements including:
City of Durham Stormwater Permit (NPDES Permit)
To have a storm drain system that carries rainwater away from developed areas to creeks and lakes, the city is required by the federal Clean Water Act to have a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.
This permit is the basis of many of the following documents. This permit is evaluated every 5 years to adapt to changing water quality needs and technological advances. The following link is for the permit from October 10, 2018 - October 9, 2023 (PDF).
NPDES Annual Report
The city provides the state with an annual report on stormwater management. This report is required by the city’s federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.
- The report for the most current reporting year: 2017-2018 (PDF).
- Archived reports from previous years
The report provides information about new initiatives and programs, compares collected data to water quality standards, and summarizes water quality investigations. It also outlines how the city met the minimum permit requirements in the areas
Note: Beginning in 2007-2008, the reporting period changed from running July 1 through June 30 to running from October 1 through September 30.
Stormwater Management Plan
A stormwater management plan outlines how the city intends to meet the requirements of its minimum NPDES permit requirements including:
- Illicit discharge detection and elimination
- Industrial inspection
- Municipal pollution prevention and good housekeeping
- Post-construction runoff
- Public education and outreach
- Public participation and involvement
- Water quality monitoring and assessment
Stormwater Management Plan Downloads
Public Input
*Public comments are welcome at any time and will be considered by the city when writing the annual updates to the Stormwater Management Plan. Email your comments on the Stormwater Management Plan to Stormwater Quality. Please use the subject "SMP Public Comments."
*Public comments are welcome at any time and will be considered by the city when writing the annual updates to the Stormwater Management Plan. Email your comments on the Stormwater Management Plan to Stormwater Quality. Please use the subject "SMP Public Comments."