Nature-based Stormwater Strategies are an effective and economical strategy to reduce flooding and improve water quality by disconnecting impervious surfaces and promoting infiltration on site.
Below is a comparison between a conventional and retrofitted single family home.
Stormwater runoff flows from a conventional home when rain hits the impervious roof, walkway and driveway. The polluted runoff then flows to the storm drain where it can reach surface waters. In contrast, stormwater runoff was significantly reduced by installing simple retrofits to disconnect impervious surfaces.
Gutter downspouts were rerouted to rain gardens and rain barrels while the driveway and walkway were resurfaced with pervious pavement.
Fact Sheets
Meeting Resources
“We encourage the use of low impact development treatment practices that put stormwater back into the ground or allow it to be used by plants. This protects streams from the pollution and erosion that are often an unfortunate side effect of development protects.”
–Annette Lucas, Stormwater Program Supervisor, Division of Energy Mineral and Land Resources
Stormwater Retrofit Resources
Project Examples
- City of Seattle Green Stormwater Infrastructure (WA)
- Market at Colonnade (NC)
- Swansboro Town Hall (NC)
- Walk the Loop – Wrightsville Beach (NC)
- Blockade Runner (NC)
- Hanover Seaside Club (NC)
- Northeast, Central, and Southeast Coastal Schools (NC)
Resources
- Pavers Search: Learn more about permeable pavement solutions
- Rain Gardens: Learn more about the benefits of rain gardens for stormwater and how to implement one
- Low Impact Development for Municipalities: An Environmental Protection Agency guide for municipalities
- Natural Infrastructure Strategies (NOAA)
- Nature as Resilient Infrastructure (EESI)
- Low Impact Development Summit (2014)
- Low Impact Development Center Publications
Tools
- Storm E-Z, NC DEQ
This spreadsheet calculates stormwater runoff based on proposed land use practices and streamlines the stormwater permit application. - Stormwater Management Model (SWMM), EPA
This tool models how changes in watershed management may affect stormwater runoff. - Water Conservation Dashboard, ESRI
An ArcGIS Tool for water utilities that can show stormwater control measures and the effectiveness of water conservation efforts. - Stormwater Control Measure Credit Document, NCDEQ
A guidance document to determine the reduction value for SCMs in North Carolina
Learn about other work groups:
Contact: Lauren Kolodij, Deputy Director – laurenk@nccoast.org 252-393-8185
