Read the policies for storm drainage improvement requests and for storm water capital improvement requests. Call the Engineering Department at (919) 469-4038 for more information.

New Floodplain Maps Available for Review

Property owners within floodplains or near flood-prone streams should review the new maps. Changes may determine whether they must buy flood insurance.

Area affected - Neuse River basin
Contact - Terry Warren, floodplain manager, at (919) 462-3932

Read more about floodplain management and get answers to frequently asked questions.

State Rules

Algal blooms and fish kills in the lower Neuse River during 1988 led to state rules for controlling nutrients in the Neuse basin. The rules cover agriculture, urban development, and wastewater treatment plants. Cary's wastewater treatment plants have been upgraded to meet the 1997 rules, which also provide for preserving vegetation along stream buffers to filter storm water.

Cary is one of 15 local governments that worked with the state to implement a model storm water plan for the Neuse River basin.

Federal Rules

The federal Clean Water Act of 1972 focused initially on discharges from sources such as industrial and municipal wastewater treatment plants. Water quality studies have shown that more diffuse sources of pollution are also a problem. In 1987, Congress added requirements for non-agricultural sources of runoff, beginning with the largest cities and certain industries.

Cary is covered under the second phase of the program, which is called the National Permit Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program.

The Town's pollution reduction program must address:

• Public education and participation
• Illicit discharge detection
• Construction site runoff during and after work
• Municipal wastewater treatment plant operations