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Stormwater Runoff

Stormwater runoff puts pollution on the fast-track.

The flow of rain or melted snow over parking lots, sidewalks, streets and other hard, nonabsorbent surfaces is called stormwater runoff. As stormwater runoff travels across surfaces, it picks up dirt, trash, oil, grease, fertilizers and other pollutants – all of which get washed into the storm drain system and then directly into our local waterways. So, unlike the waste water that leaves from inside your home, stormwater is not cleaned at a treatment plant.

Stormwater runoff carries too much sediment, nitrogen, phosphorous and bacteria to our local waterways. In fact, many of our region’s waterways have swimming and shellfish harvesting restrictions because they contain unhealthy levels of bacteria. Many of these waterways, including the Chesapeake Bay, also have insufficient levels of dissolved oxygen from excess nutrients (phosphorous and nitrogen) which cause harm to aquatic life.

To combat the impairments, the state has assigned Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) to many of our waterways. A TMDL identifies how much pollutant a body of water can receive while still meeting water quality standards.

Since most of our waterways are part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, our impaired waterways are also contributing to the poor health of the Chesapeake Bay, which has also been assigned a TMDL that every state within the watershed is work to achieve.

In order to meet the TMDLs, state agencies are working with farmers and wastewater facilities to implement projects that reduce nutrient pollution; localities are undertaking capital improvement projects; and nonprofit river groups are working with private property owners to implement natural methods to manage rainfall.

Citizens also play an important role in the cleanup effort. Did you know that by leaving dog waste on the ground you're putting dangerous amounts of bacteria in our waterways and maybe even causing the health department to close a beach because the water is too unhealthy for swimming? Or that by raking or blowing leaves and yard debris into the street you're actually harming our local fish and crab populations?

Keep drains free of fats, oils and grease.

Keep drains fat-free by canning cooking grease, scraping leftover food into the trash and catching food scraps in the sink.
Test Soil before fertilizing.

A soil test provides a list of recommendations for soil amendments to help you make the right decisions for your lawn. However, it is important to understand the information it is providing and the limitations of such a tool.
Seed bare spots.

If you have bare areas, something must be wrong, and it is preventing the establishment of a turf. This is a problem because you can continually lose your soil. First test your soil testing to see if it needs any soil amendments and then look into different ground covers to stabilize the soil.
Plant native plants.

Native plants don't require wasteful watering, fertilizing or pesticides. Planting natives also restores wildlife habitat for birds and butterflies.
Keep grass and yard waste out of the street.

Know your locality's collection schedule. Only place leaves and yard debris out at the designated time and know the collection requirements (ex. bagging, placement, etc.). Keep loose leaves and yard debris out of the street so that they don't get washed or blown into the storm drain, which will cause flooding.
Don’t feed the geese.

Feeding geese encourages them to stay in an area longer than they would if they had to go scavenging for their own food. While lingering around, geese feces – full of bacteria - is left on the ground, only to get washed into the waterway the next time it rains.
Don’t treat the toilet like a waste basket.

It's a toilet, not a trash can! You'll save your pipes (and avoid a costly visit from the plumber) by putting paper towels, disposable wipes, feminine hygiene products, paper towels, etc. in the trash where they belong.
Scoop, bag and trash dog waste.

It’s not a fertilizer. It is raw sewage the releases bacteria and nitrogen into our waterways. When pet waste is left on the ground, it gets washed into the storm drain and into our waterways, and a little pet waste goes a long way. A day’s waste from one large dog can contain 7.8 billion fecal coliform bacteria, enough to close 15 acres of shellfish beds and contribute to beach closures!
Contact your local stormwater representative.

For inquires related to flooding, stormwater or storm drains, or to report illegal dumping into the storm drain or street, please contact the stormwater representative from your locality at the number listed below.

Chesapeake (757) 382-CITY (2489)

Franklin (757) 562-8564

Gloucester (804) 693-4040

Hampton (757) 727-8311

Isle of Wight County (757) 365-1659

James City County (757) 259-1460

Newport News (757) 926-8611

Norfolk (757) 823-4000

City of Portsmouth (757) 393-8666

Poquoson (757) 868-3025

Smithfield (757) 365-4200

Suffolk (757) 514-7725

Surry (757) 294-5271

Virginia Beach (757) 563-1470

Williamsburg (757) 220-6140

York County (757) 890-3752