Stormwater

Falls Lake rules require innovative stormwater treatment strategies in Durham

Andrew Campbell — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 17:24:50 -0600

Falls Lake rules take effect January 15, 2011, and Durham is not happy considering the city's future plans for the Falls Lake watershed. As Durham gears up for major new development in both the Jordan and Falls Lake watersheds, the city will not be able to address pollution reduction goals unless efforts are pursued to address wastewater discharges and stormwater runoff more effectively.

Falls Lake rules take effect January 15, 2011

Karen Rindge — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 17:01:05 -0600

Good news! A plan (or "rules") for making Falls Lake water cleaner is set to begin January 15, 2011, following 18 months of negotiations among local governments, agriculture, civic groups and homebuilders. Why does this matter? Because Falls Lake is Raleigh and Eastern Wake's main drinking water source (so probably YOUR water!), and it's really polluted. Thanks to Falls Lake legislation spearheaded by Wake Senator Josh Stein, the rule-making process moved quickly under the leadership of the NC Division of Water Quality. The Raleigh City Council and city staff also deserve a big hand for being outspoken for a pretty strong clean-up plan.

Raleigh pitches in to help protect Falls watershed in Granville County

Andrew Campbell — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 13:43:42 -0600

Raleigh and Creedmore recently partnered to preserve 162 acres in Granville County. The mutually beneficial partnership will not only create a stormwater buffer, keeping nitrogen and phosphorous out of Wake's critical drinking water supply, but will also provide recreation space for Creedmore in the form of a new city park. Read Water supply gets buffer from toxins to learn more.

WakeUP Speaks to Wendell Town Board

Karen Rindge — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:25:06 -0500

Wake County's population is due to double in 25 years, growing by 100 people per day. So reported WakeUP's Executive Director, Karen Rindge, speaking before the Wendell Town Board of Commissioners on October 26. The topic: Growth issues facing all towns in our county, and the solutions to solving planning for rapid growth, increasing traffic, growing schools and a polluted drinking water supply. These are priority issues for WakeUP Wake County, which is why WakeUP recommends implementing a regional transit system, water conservation and stormwater runoff measures (using incentives) and using new funding options to encourage growth to help pay its fair share of the costs of infrastructure.

WakeUP Signs Amicus Brief on Riparian Buffer Regulations

Caitlin Burke — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:46:33 -0500

The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) filed an amicus brief on Monday September 21, 2009, in favor of towns having the authority to enact stream buffer regulations that are more stringent than state or federal regulations. WakeUP Wake County signed on to the brief along with the Haw Riverkeeper Foundation, Catawba Riverkeeper Association, North Carolina Conservation Network, and others. While the case relates to a specific development in Cary, the Court's decision will have broad implications for municipal stream buffer regulations in North Carolina.

WakeUP Provides Comments on Raleigh's Infrastructure Impact Plan

Caitlin Burke — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:01:08 -0500

The City of Raleigh recently took comments on its draft Secondary and Cumulative Impacts (SCI) Management Plan, which addresses growth-related environmental impacts from infrastructure projects planned for Raleigh and the municipalities served by the City's Public Utilities Department. Karen Rindge, Executive Director of WakeUP Wake County, submitted oral comments on the plan at a public meeting on August 17, as well as written comments that provided additional details about WakeUP's recommendations for the plan.

Thinking about swimming in Falls Lake? Think again!

Caitlin Burke — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:19:22 -0500

Just this month, two Falls Lake beaches were closed due to high levels of bacteria. But this water isn't just for recreation. This is the water we drink! Both Falls Lake and Jordan Lake - Wake County's drinking supply reservoirs - are rated as "impaired." That means they're polluted from stormwater run-off, and overgrown with potentially toxic algae.

Threats to Falls Lake Water Supply

Caitlin Burke — Wed, 27 May 2009 10:34:34 -0500

Falls Lake, the drinking water supply for residents of Raleigh and eastern Wake County, has been declared "impaired" by the State, due to polluted runoff and wastewater discharged upstream. High levels of pollution and an overabundance of nutrients have resulted in toxic algal blooms and chemical conditions in the lake. Without improvements to current wastewater treatment and stormwater practices, the lake will remain impaired. Efforts are underway to clean up the lake, but they are happening very slowly.