• What is impervious surface?
  Impervious surface means those improved, harder-surfaced areas that either prevent or inhibit the natural entry of water into the soil. Rooftops, buildings, streets, parking lots, sidewalks, asphalt, concrete, other paving, driveways, gravel, patios, artificial turf and storage areas are all examples of impervious surfaces. These improvements affect the natural infiltration or runoff patterns of water.
• If I am renting a home or leasing space for my business, do I pay or does the owner?
  If you normally pay the city utility bill, then, in most cases, you will be responsible for the stormwater utility fee.
• Am I still charged even if it does not rain for a long time?
  Yes. The pollution potential is actually much greater when it has not rained in a long time because pollutants can build up on all impervious surfaces. In any storm, the initial runoff, or first flush, is the most contaminated. Contrary to what some people believe, stormwater charges are not based upon rainfall. Costs are incurred to reduce pollution. Rainwater is simply the carrier that transports the pollutants to open waterways.
• Hasn't the city always had storm drains? Nothing has changed at my home or business. Why am I being charged now when I wasn't several years ago?
  Yes, the city has had storm drains for a long time. However, the federal regulations that require a comprehensive stormwater quality management program are new. The utility fee enables the city to meet its responsibilities to manage the storm drain system more closely, study the contents of stormwater, seek out and eliminate illicit connections and illegal dumping, enforce codes more strictly, educate citizens, and construct storm drainage improvements throughout the city.
• Why a fixed rate for household properties?
  The cost of measuring each single-family residential property would be prohibitive and would not significantly increase the equity of the rate structure. Trying to update information on new additions, patios, driveways, and storage buildings would be very cumbersome and prone to error.
• I live on a hill and have no drainage problem. Why should I have to pay?
  You may not have a drainage problem, but the runoff generated from your property is contributing to problems downstream. The approach being taken through this program recognizes that everyone contributes to runoff and pollution problems and everyone will share in the results (improved water quality, reduced flooding, etc.).
• Why are churches and other tax-exempts required to pay?
  All properties within the city that have impervious surface must pay regardless of ownership or tax status. All impervious surfaces contribute to the pollution problem and, therefore, all property owners should pay their share of the costs.
• Is There a Difference Between a Storm Drain and a Sewer Drain?
  Yes. The sewer system and the storm drain system are two completely separate drainage systems. The sewer system, or sanitary wastewater system, takes all household wastewater from toilets, showers and sinks, and routes it through your plumbing system to the Horse Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant in Aiken County. Once there, it receives treatment before being discharged to the Savannah River. The treated wastewater is tested repeatedly to ensure that it is safe to discharge by the state certified laboratory located at the facility. In addition, it is tested by state inspectors on a random basis to verify the water is clean of all contaminants.

The stormwater system is intended to route rainwater quickly off the streets during a heavy storm but unfortunately takes all urban runoff along with it. Chemicals, trash and debris from lawns, parking lots and streets, either intentionally or accidentally spilled, go straight into the ocean.

• What Are the Effects of Stormwater Pollution?
  Health: Stormwater pollution poses a serious health risk to people swimming or fishing in contaminated waters.

Environment: Countless plants and animals can become sick or die from contact with stormwater pollution.

Neighborhoods: Clogged catch basins significantly decrease the quality of life in many neighborhoods. These "nests" of trash and debris can attract rats and cockroaches, create foul odors, and clog the storm drain system – affecting neighborhood aesthetics and property values, and create the potential for local flooding during heavy rain events.

• What is the City of North Augusta doing to help prevent stormwater pollution?
  The city has four education programs geared toward the general public, businesses, city employees, and school education. Free informational materials such as posters, videos, brochures, coloring books and other giveaway items are distributed at events sponsored by the stormwater management department.

The city is also requiring developers of new construction projects to install structural BMPs that improve water quality before it enters the storm-sewer system.

• What can a resident do when they notice a stormwater impact?
  The city’s Stormwater Inspector is on hand to take calls reporting stormwater impacts between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. If the inspector is busy, callers can leave information on voice mail and will receive a prompt call back. During non-business hours, calls can be made to public safety who contacts a Stormwater Inspector to respond to the report.

Stormwater personnel follow a formal protocol to ensure that spills are quickly cleaned up or contained and that hazardous materials are handled in a manner that does the least damage to the environment. The city also has a procedure for identifying and informing responsible parties and for seeking reimbursement for cleanup when possible and appropriate. Once the full course of action has been taken, the inspector generates a report of the incident.

Storm drains are for the sole purpose of handling rainwater overflow. Dumping trash, pollutants and debris into the catch basins is illegal. If you know the person dumping, you might explain to them how their actions negatively impact the neighborhood as well as the environment, and that this behavior is highly illegal. Safe, legal alternatives to disposing of waste materials are available throughout the city.

• I have some paint/thinners/chemicals/ at home that need to be disposed of. Where can I take these?
  The City of North Augusta has a recycling center located on Claypit Road. The center accepts these type of wastes. Please call 803-441-4245 if you need to dispose of these hazardous wastes. Also, the city holds an annual Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Collection event in May of every year. Information on the event is advertised in local papers, the city website, and sent out in the SWMD Resource Newsletter.
  
• What is a catch basin?
  A catch basin is a curbside, box-like receptacle that drains water from the street gutter to the underground storm drain pipe. They are entry points to the storm drain system. This system was designed to prevent flooding on city streets.
  
• Are sewers and storm drains the same thing?
  No. They are two separate drainage systems. Wastewater from homes, industry, etc. travels through the sewer system where it is treated at sewage treatment plants before reuse or discharge into the ocean. Runoff from streets, parking lots, yards, etc. enters the storm drain system, receives no treatment, and flows directly to the Savannah River.
  
• What is the frequency in which catch basins and storm drains get cleaned out?
  The city's Stormwater Department, currently cleans basins by hand on as needed basis. A Jetter Vacuum truck purchase was approved by North Augusta City Council in the 2006 budget and has been ordered. This equipment will be used to clean North Augusta’s catch basins, debris basins, and open channels throughout the city. All catch basins will be cleaned annually; those in areas receiving high loads of generated trash from illegal dumping will cleaned more frequently. Clogged catch basins will be cleaned immediately when reported by the public prior to the rainy season.
  
• Why doesn't the city install filters or screens in front of catch basins?
  The city has installed several types of pollutant abatement devices on certain catch basins around the city. In some instances, these devices can become clogged with trash during a rain event, so their use is limited.
  
• What kind of pollutants are found in the storm drain system?
  Paint thinner and paint products, motor oil, pesticides, Styrofoam cups, paper, human and animal feces, antifreeze, golf balls, dirty diapers and dead animals are but a few of the pollutants found in the system on a daily basis.