Stormwater Permit

Adam Hackett (photo at left) helps plant a stormwater wetland at Gold Park. The system is designed to imitate the functions of a natural wetland. Its plants help filter pollutants from stormwater runoff before the water reaches our waterways. The stormwater wetland also slows runoff, reducing erosion and downstream flooding potential. Public education and involvement is one of six stormwater control measures the town is required to take under its stormwater permit.

Photo taken by Vanessa Shortley of The News of Orange.

The Town of Hillsborough is allowed to discharge stormwater to creeks and the Eno River under its individual NPDES Phase II stormwater permit. Under this permit, the town is required to implement a stormwater management program that — at a minimum — includes six stormwater control measures. They include:

Public Education and Involvement

We are all responsible for keeping our water clean. Learn more about what you can do and about programs Hillsborough is involved in to promote clean water in our watershed. Since we all live "downstream," everyone needs to participate to keep our streams and rivers clean. It doesn't matter if you are a resident or a big-time developer, there are things you need to know and do to prevent stormwater pollution.

Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

It is illegal to pour substances down storm drains or into stormwater ditches or any other part of Hillsborough’s storm sewer system. Only stormwater may be discharged into the stormwater system. The town is required to find and eliminate illicit discharges. Hillsborough maintains a geographic information system database of all its stormwater facilities. The GIS mapping assists stormwater staff in detecting and eliminating illicit discharges to its stormwater system.

If you suspect an illegal discharge, contact the town or stormwater resource officer immediately. If you are thinking about dumping something, DON'T! Remember, these storm drains, ditches and curb inlets drain directly to a creek, all of which eventually drain to the Eno River. For more information, please read the illicit discharge fact sheet.

Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control

In Hillsborough, land disturbance is regulated by the Orange County Erosion Control Division. A land disturbance permit is required for projects disturbing 20,000 square feet or more of surface area (10,000 square feet in a critical watershed area).

Post-Construction Stormwater Management

Under its NPDES stormwater permit, Hillsborough is required to regulate stormwater from development projects. New development and redevelopment projects are required to submit a stormwater management plan that must be approved prior to construction. These projects are required to manage stormwater using non-structural and engineered structural best management practices. Non-structural measures may include riparian buffers, open space and other low-impact development techniques. Structural best management practices may include stormwater wetlands, water quality ponds, wet detention and bio-retention. A summary of the town’s post-construction stormwater requirements can be found here.

Pollution-Prevention Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations

Hillsborough not only is dedicated to helping its residents keep our stormwater runoff clean but also is implementing a plan to prevent stormwater pollution from municipal operations. The specific best management practices that the town is implementing to meet the six minimum measures are outlined in its stormwater plan.