State water quality agency seeks input new stormwater guidelines

WILMINGTON — Developers across the state could soon have new water quality guidelines to follow. 

When developing a piece of property, the Division of Water Quality has requirements regarding stormwater management.

A proposed change would give all builders the ability to use a stormwater management technique that’s currently only recognized in the eastern part of the state.

“Developers have to meet certain targets, certain thresholds for nutrient reduction, basically you have to put in a certain number of stormwater practices in order to get your permit,” said Ryan Winston, an extension associate with N.C. State University.

At Halyburton Park in Wilmington, the city used permeable pavement. It absorbs the water so it goes back into the ground instead of straight down the drain reducing the amount of polluted water reaching nearby waterways.

Currently, the state gives out credits when this practice is used in eastern N.C. counties.

“They allow you to look a permeable pavement as if it were more like grass than pavement so that gives you more buildable space,” said David Mayes, Wilmington’s stormwater services manager.

The Division of Water Quality has allowed this practice to be used along the coast because of the sandy soil that absorbs water well.

But research done by N.C. State shows if permeable pavement is designed, installed, and maintained properly it can be used in other parts of the state where you’ll find clay soil.

Therefore, the state has proposed a change to the water quality guidelines. The change would give stormwater credit to developers across the state who use permeable pavement as a water quality protection measure.

For developers this not only means more buildable space but possible cost savings.

“Permeable pavement is a little bit more expensive but you don’t have to have catch basins, you don’t have to have as many pipes so there’s cost savings elsewhere in the development,” said Winston.

When it comes to the environment, officials said when compared to asphalt or concrete, this type of pavement can reduce stormwater runoff by as much as 90 percent.

The state is seeking public input on the proposed changes.

Information not available.