Technical Reports
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: 2019 - 2020 (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
Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Response Plans
Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act requires states to identify water bodies that do not meet surface water quality standards. A TMDL may be required when a water body is listed as impaired. A TMDL determines the maximum amount of a pollutant allowed to enter a water body so that water quality standards can still be achieved. The City of Durham is currently subject to a fecal coliform bacteria TMDL for the Northeast Creek watershed and a turbidity TMDL for the Third Fork Creek watershed. TMDL Response Plans were completed for both watersheds in 2019. The objectives of the TMDL Response Plans are to identify and implement measures that will reduce the levels of the targeted pollutants in Northeast Creek and Third Fork Creek. You can read the full plans at the links below.
TMDL Response Plan for Northeast Creek
TMDL Response Plan for Third Fork Creek
Additional Stormwater Management Plan Downloads
*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."
Contact Us
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Paul Wiebke
Assistant Director of Public Works, Stormwater & GIS Services
EmailEdward Cherry
Manager, GIS and Stormwater Billing
EmailDana Hornkohl
Manager, Stormwater Infrastructure
EmailSandra Wilbur
Manager, Stormwater Special Projects
EmailShea Bolick
Manager, Stormwater Development Review
EmailMichelle Woolfolk
Manager, Stormwater Quality
Email
Stormwater & GIS Services
101 City Hall Plaza
Durham, NC 27701
Phone: (919) 560-4326
Report Stormwater Pollution: Call
(919) 560-SWIM or submit a report.
Both are anonymous.
Service request:
Click or call 919-560-1200