Nicknamed the Star City of the South, Roanoke, Virginia has a population of just under 100,000 and 43 square miles of land. The Roanoke River flows through the City and serves as one of its main water sources; some stretches meander through parks and natural settings, while others flow through industrial areas. In 2014, the Roanoke Stormwater Utility was formed to help protect the River’s water quality by controlling and eliminating stormwater pollution from municipal storm sewer systems, construction sites and industrial activities.

Stormwater pollution impacts water quality, public health and the local economy of the communities we live and serve in. Ensuring that municipal and state water systems are clean and well-maintained is a major part of protecting the communities we inhabit and building a sustainable, long-term solution to stormwater pollution. In a new guide, the Environmental Protection Agency asserts, “early and effective stormwater planning and management by communities as they develop will provide significant long-term cost savings while supporting resilience, economic growth and quality of life.”