In Wilmington, stormwater runoff is channeled into a complex, interconnected system of storm drains, pipes, ditches, ponds, culverts, creeks and wetlands. Stormwater Services field crews perform maintenance of the storm drainage system within the public right-of-way or in accepted easements.

Preventative maintenance activities include street sweeping, slope mowing, pipe cleaning and ensuring primary drainage routes are free of dirt, litter and debris. Maintenance crews also repair damaged drainage structures such as catch basins, storm drains and cave-ins.

Maintenance is usually performed during fair weather, however, stormwater crews go into response mode during and after storms. During storms, weak links in the drainage system can be identified. If an area is flooding, garbage and debris may be blocking a pipe or culvert. Sometimes crews clear obstructions with equipment, but oftentimes, workers must clear clogs by hand. Stormwater Utility Fees enable the City to repair and maintain the storm drainage system. Stormwater Services crews perform the following specific maintenance activities:

Open Drainage
The open drainage system includes ditches, creeks, lakes and ponds. In addition to routine mowing, ditch cleaning and erosion control activities, crews are also responsible for the removal of sediment and the control of nuisance aquatic weeds growth in lakes and ponds. Certain aquatic plants help to filter pollutants out of the water, therefore our control methods are very selective and specific.

Closed Drainage
The closed drainage system includes pipes, manholes, catch basins, junction boxes and headwalls. Crews perform inspection, maintenance, repair and construction of this system. Depending on the size and location of pipes, crews may be required to perform deep excavations requiring the use of trench boxes or they may be required to physically enter an underground system and perform an internal repair.

Street Sweeping
The cleanliness of streets is very important for minimizing the amount of sediment and pollutants that flow into storm drains, ditches, creeks and then into our waterways. Staff use mechanical sweepers, vacuum sweepers, blowers and manual push brooms to clean 412 miles of City streets and 120 miles of North Carolina DOT streets. This includes all curbed residential streets, state roads within the city limits, public parking lots and when required, non-curbed streets. Due to the traffic volume and vehicle density in areas like downtown, street sweeping hours are often flexed to maximize sweeping while minimizing traffic interference. Private streets are the responsibility of a development or Homeowners Association (HOA).