Frequently Asked Questions

What is stormwater?

A:  When it rains, someone washes their car or waters their lawn; impervious surfaces such as rooftops, driveways and roads prevent water from being absorbed into the ground.  The portion of water that is not absorbed into the ground is what is known as stormwater runoff. This water in motion picks up and carries a wide variety of pollutants and litter, which flow into our storm drains, and eventually empty directly into our waterways, rivers and oceans.  Unlike household wastewater, stormwater is not treated.  That means the everyday pollution that we all contribute has a direct impact on our local water quality.

Why is Stormwater Management Important?

A:  Water from rain and irrigation carries fertilizers and pesticides, soil and debris off lawns and streets into neighborhood storm drains that lead directly to our streams, rivers and bays.

Traditional stormwater management has focused on removing quantities of water from our streets and neighborhoods, with the primary goal being to prevent flooding.  Again, this water went untreated and was discharged directly into area waterways.

 Now, federal and state regulations require localities to better manage the quality of the stormwater, as well as the flow rates, that are entering our creeks, streams, rivers and bays. These regulations require much planning and educational effort to be effective, but the benefits include cleaner surface water and a healthier environment!

 Your local governments are hard at work developing and implementing stormwater management programs that include construction of best management practices (BMPs), system maintenance, water quality testing, enforcement of program standards and public education. Significant results and cost cuts are being achieved through regional cooperation.  These regional efforts are being coordinated through the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission, with representatives from local governments.  Hence, the beginnings of HR STORM.  HR STORM is a coalition of local government staff members who come together to share ideas and pool resources for targeted educational program efforts about stormwater management.  In addition, the HRPDC facilitates monthly meetings of the Regional Stormwater Management Committee where program staff members from 14 localities in Hampton Roads coordinate efforts in water quality data gathering and pollutant loading studies.  This data will enable localities to better target future program dollars to help improve both the management of the quantities of stormwater, as well as improving the quality of the stormwater entering local water bodies.

 Together, local governments in Hampton Roads are working to help address water quantity and quality issues related to stormwater management to improve program delivery and results for you, the taxpayer. If you have specific questions about stormwater projects in your locality, contact the Department of Public Works. 

Who owns the drainage ditches in front of my house?

A:  The ditch in front of your house that runs parallel with the paved road is in the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) right-of-way.  They maintain all public roads, adjacent ditches and pipe culverts in the ditch lines, driveway entrances and road crossings.

Who maintains the ditches near my residence?

A:  That depends; if it is the roadway ditch as described above, then it is VDOT.  If it is perpendicular to the road, and in an easement, then whomever the easement is deeded to is responsible for maintaining the ditch.  Newer subdivisions (1983 and newer) should specify who is responsible on the subdivision plat.  If it is older, there may or may not be an easement and it may not be specified to whom it is deeded.  It will either be VDOT, York County or the Homeowner's Association (HOA).

Who do I call if I have a drainage problem near my home?

A:  Based on the answers above will depend on who you call.  Roadside ditches should call the VDOT Seaford office at 898-5151 for problems south of Route 238 and Yorktown; call the Williamsburg office at 253-4832 for problems north of there.  If it is a York County drainage easement or you are not sure, call the County's Environmental & Development Services Drainage Maintenance office at 890-3752 or Mosquito Control at 890-3790.  Mosquito Control has crews that remove blockages by hand and Drainage Maintenance does repairs with equipment.  If it is deeded to the HOA, contact your HOA president or representative.

What does the County do to reduce drainage problems in York County?

A:  The County reviews all new development in the County for compliance with state and County regulations.  This includes controlling flow offsite to the same rate as before development if the downstream system is not adequate for increased flows.  This is done by the installation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) such as wet ponds or lakes, and dry ponds as well as other engineered systems.

 In addition, the County receives complaints about drainage problems and researches to determine if there are easements, whether it is the County's responsibility and whether there is anything that the County should be doing to correct the problem.  If it requires major construction, then it would have to be added to the Capital Improvement Plan list and ranked with the others in the schedule.

What are the major drainage improvement projects that are ongoing in York  County?

A:  The County has adopted a Strategic Plan for Capital Improvement Projects to be done over the next six years.  This is adopted by the Board of Supervisors (BOS).  The County is working on drainage improvements for the Tabb Lakes outfall, Foxwood outfall, Moores Creek, which drains Woodlake, Running Man and properties in-between, Edgehill Drainage Study; and is now studying the Brandywine subdivision.

How can I find out if an individual, a HOA, VDOT or the County owns the drainage easement?

A:  First look at your property plat to see if any easements are marked on the plat.  This should say to whom it is deeded.  If it is a subdivision, this is recorded at the Courthouse; there are also copies at the County's Environmental & Development Services' office at 105 Service Drive or the Computer Support Services' office at 120 Alexander Hamilton Blvd.  VDOT easements are also marked on these plats.  If it is an older lot or subdivision, they are also recorded at the Courthouse, but may require additional research to find.

What can I do to reduce the potential for flooding in my area?

A:  The main way to reduce flooding is to help maintain the drainage system.  Do not put anything in the ditches or pipes.  Keep the ditches clean of leaves, branches or other items that can wash downstream and block up the system.  Pipes that have been put in the ditch by an individual without VDOT or County approval may be too small for the amount of drainage going through it.  Filling in ditches will also create problems.

What can I do to improve the water quality of stormwater lakes or ponds near my residence?

A:  There are several things that can be done to improve water quality of the stormwater lakes, but you must keep in mind that they were installed to control flow and remove pollutants before they go downstream.  One of the biggest pollutants is fertilizer that is not properly applied.  High amounts of fertilizers can cause algae blooms on the lakes and reduces the oxygen level for a healthy lake.  The algae than sinks to the bottom or accumulates around the pond creating further problems.  Fertilizers work best if applied in the fall months of September, October, and November (SON).  Contact the VA Extension Office for recommendations on applications.  They can do an analysis of your soil to recommend the application rate.  Plantings along the perimeter of the pond are good because they will remove some of the fertilizers that get into the pond.

Other routine maintenance is important also.  If there is a lake that is connected with the HOA in your subdivision, then they are probably also responsible for maintenance of it.  Keep in mind that you are part of your HOA, so even if you don't back up to the lake, it is still providing drainage for your property.  The grass around the pond and at the outfall to the pond should be cut periodically to keep the growth controlled.  You do not want trees growing across the outfall area or on top of any pipe structures.  Make sure that the outfall areas are not blocked with debris.  This will cause the water levels to rise in the pond and back up in the ditch or pipe systems.  This will be a problem when there are heavy rains because the pond will not drain as designed.  Remember that it is designed to store some water but too much will back up even further and could cause additional flooding.

Why can't the County come out every month and clean the drainage ditches?

A:  County and VDOT staff is limited.  County staff is only able to do maintenance in an area once or twice a year.  VDOT staff is even more limited.  County Mosquito Control has two crews who do hand maintenance throughout all of York County.  In addition, they spray and do other things associated with controlling the mosquito population.  The maintenance staff is made up of one crew that works 9 months; the other 3 months in the winter are devoted to leaf collection.  They are paid from your tax dollars.

Why is stormwater pollution an issue?

A:  As stormwater travels over the land, it picks up all kinds of chemicals and materials that are not naturally found in our waterways.  Some of these are toxic and dangerous – even in small amounts.  Others, such as nutrients, are not poisonous but may be produced in such great quantities that natural systems simply can't cope.  This results in the pollution of our waterways.

What are the factors affecting stormwater pollution?

The amount of stormwater runoff produced and pollution levels are affected by:

 -When it last rained, Intensity of the rain

 -Building density and other land uses in catchments

 -Level of vegetation cover

 -Cleanliness of the streets

 -Local practices such as street sweeping, pet control and excessive garden watering.

What is the effect of stormwater pollution?

A:  The effects of stormwater pollution include killing plants and animals that live in the water.  For example:

-Sediment in the water reduces light penetration and affects photosynthesis, the process that allows plants to use light as their source of energy

 -Organic material (green waste) uses up vital oxygen in the water

 -Litter clogs waterways and causes toxicity from the breakdown of material and has an effect on the health of birds, fish and other animals and plants that live in the waterways.

How can I help reduce stormwater pollution?

A:  Motor oil, antifreeze, fertilizers, pesticides, detergents and household hazardous wastes are all common pollutants in runoff.  In addition, pet waste, yard debris and litter all make major impacts on the quality of our stormwater, and our local waterways.

 Many of these pollutants are toxic and can kill aquatic life such as fish and aquatic vegetation, or harm pets that may take a drink from a puddle.  Fertilizers add excess nutrients to stormwater, which can stimulate algae blooms, depleting waterways of oxygen. This condition often leads to fish kills, particularly during summer months. Yard debris, such as leaves (For more information about York County's Leaf Collection Program, click HERE.) and grass clippings, also adds nutrients to our waterways, in addition to clogging storm drains and accelerating flooding. Don't forget to clean up after your pet. Pet waste introduces harmful bacteria into stormwater that will not be treated!

 We realize that many of these products are necessary to maintain our automobiles and homes. That makes it even more important to follow label instructions carefully and to properly dispose of any excess. If you have questions about disposing of car care products, lawn and garden supplies or household hazardous waste, contact the Southeastern Public Service Authority (SPSA) at (757) 427-4700 or the Virginia Peninsulas Public Service Authority (VPPSA) at (757) 259-9850.  For additional information, contact your local Department of Public Works or Public Information Office.

What Are Localities Doing to Reduce Stormwater Pollution?

A:  Localities in Hampton Roads are using a variety of options as part of a comprehensive stormwater management program.  All local programs are crafted to meet or exceed state and federal requirements.  The following activities help to improve both management of quantities of stormwater, as well as the quality of stormwater that is discharged into our waterways:

-Initiating or increasing the frequency of street sweeping.  Street sweeping helps to remove litter and debris that is washed into storm drains.  New technology is also improving the capacity for eliminating a greater percentage of sediment.

-Inspecting construction sites for erosion and sediment controls, which decrease the amount of soil carried offsite.

-Monitoring and removal of illicit discharges into storm drains.  Many localities have staffed hotlines so citizens can report illicit dumping into storm drains.

-Maintaining and improving drainage systems to help improve water quality, as well as reduce flooding in streets and neighborhoods.

 -Analyzing pollutants in stormwater runoff. This helps to determine the source of pollutants, which can help localities to better target future program efforts.

What are the main pollutants?

A:  Stormwater pollution may be divided into three categories

 -Natural – organic material such as leaves, grass clippings and soil sediment

 -Chemical – such as detergents, fertilizers, oil and greases and;

 -Litter – such as plastic bags, drink containers, wrappers, and cigarette butts.

Aren't businesses bigger polluters than residents?

A:  Both industry and the community have an important role to play in helping to reduce stormwater pollution.  Strict pollution controls on industry have helped reduce their impact on the environment in recent years.

 The State Government's stormwater program is working with selected industries whose products have a detrimental impact on the environment when improperly used by consumers. The campaign will show these industries how to do the right thing.

The reality is that we all have an impact on stormwater quality, and we can all take steps to make a difference.

What incentives are there for people to adhere to the messages of this campaign?

A:  If we stop pollutants entering our gutters and drains in the first place, we can help keep our waterways clean and healthy.  That way, they will provide a better environment for our native plants and animals and provide places of recreation and enjoyment.  Maintaining our lifestyle, which includes using the waterways, is a significant incentive for most people.