Stormwater Education & Outreach

What is stormwater?

Stormwater is rainwater that collects on our rootops, parking lots, roadways, and other impervious (hard) surfaces. This water flows directly into the storm drainage system to stormwater runoff image with houses and drains

stormwater runoff image with houses and drains

our local rivers and streams. As stormwater flows along, it can pick up harmful pollutants (such as automotive fluids, trash, pet waste, fertilizers, and pesticides) which can impact our drinking water and the wildlife that live in and near our rivers and streams. natural ground cover figures

What is impervious area?

Impervious area is any land cover that prevents water from infiltration. Areas such as parking lots, roads, rooftops, and sidewalks are examples of impervious areas. As development takes place, impervious area is increased which creates additional stormwater runoffs. Runoff can carry harmful chemicals and debris into our waterways and create stormwater pollution.

What does the City of Gastonia do to combat stormwater pollution?

Streep sweeping to remove potential debris
Erosion and sediment control measures on construction sites
Installation of stormwater control measures (SCMs) to manage and treat stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces

What is a watershed?

A watershed is an area of land that drians all the creeks, rivers, and streams into a common outlet. The City of Gastonia has four major water watersheds: Catawba Creek, Long Creek, Duharts Creek, and Crowders Creek. Do

you know which watershed you live in? Check the map to the right to find out.

City Outreach

The City works to educate its citizens about stormwater stewardship and the steps individual homeowners can take to be an active participant in stormwater solutions! To help achieve our goals, the city partners with other organizations and agencies to spread stormwater education and participate in outreach events.

Keep Gastonia Beautiful is an affiliate of Keep American Beautiful, Inc., and aims to protect the environment through education and awareness and public citizen involvement. To learn more about the work being done by Keep Gastonia Beautiful and their connection with the City’s stormwater department, please visit their website here.

The Regional Stormwater Partnership of the Carolinas (RSPC) is an organization that allows for municipalities to work collaboratively on stormwater issues. They work with Rising Solutions, PLLC, an environmental consulting firm, to generate ideas for local stormwater ideas and formulate effective resolutions. The RSPC assists in facilitating communication with the City of Gastonia and surrounding municipalities. To learn more about the RSPC, please visit their website at https://regionalstormwater.org/.