If your home uses a septic system, keep in mind that extra guests and extra cooking can mean extra challenges for your septic system.

• Be mindful of water use during gatherings.
• If you notice wastewater surfacing, contact us right away.
• Remind guests there’s no such thing as a “flushable wipe” – only flush human waste and toilet paper.
• With more cooking at home, take care to keep grease and food scraps out of sinks and drains — septic systems and grease don’t mix!

A little prevention goes a long way in keeping your system healthy and your holidays stress-free. Check out our Septic Maintenance page for other tips to keep your septic system working well year-round.

If you have had your well water tested in the past 5 years, NC State researchers invite you to participate in a short survey (approximately 5 minutes) to share experiences you may have had with well water testing and any follow-up actions you may have taken in response to the results. The survey also seeks your perspectives on well water testing and treatment options.

Your responses will help researchers at NC State University understand residents’ experience with well testing. Researchers will share summary information from the survey with the Wake County Public Health department to enhance well water testing programs to better serve the community.

If you’re willing to participate, please complete the survey by clicking on the following link or by copying and pasting it into your browser:

https://ncsu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d0hYqJfYivExoFM

Responses are requested by December 21.

If you have noticed localized flooding or drainage issues following storm events, you are not alone. As natural landcover is converted to impervious surfaces such as roads, sidewalks, roofs and driveways, rainwater flows more quickly across the surface and is not able to absorb into soil. This runoff also carries pollutants to streams and rivers.

Fortunately, there is a solution that can help mitigate localized flooding while improving water quality and providing community green space and habitat benefits. Green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) is a type of stormwater management practice that mimics nature by using plants and soil to soak up water and filter out pollutants as it flows through layers of mulch, soil and stone. These practices often blend into the natural landscape.

In an effort to increase awareness and use of GSI practices, the Wake County Water Partnership developed a GSI StoryMap. Projects extend across Wake County from Cary to Wendell and include examples from schools, businesses, parks and private residences. GSI comes in all shapes and sizes.

Access the StoryMap at the following link: GSI Story Map

Visit  wake.gov/gsi  to learn more about GSI maintenance and funding opportunities to support GSI installation in your area.

The Watershed Management Section of Wake County’s Water Quality Division is offering permit consultation meetings for single-lot residential projects involving stormwater, erosion control, or floodplain permits. Larger projects, like subdivisions or commercial sites, can also submit a consultation request through this form, but response time may be longer.

This consultation is to assist customers with projects:

• near flood hazard areas,
• proposing development that will exceed their limit of impervious area,
• determining whether a land disturbance, floodplain or stormwater permit is needed for a single-lot project.

Often stormwater, erosion control, or floodplain permits, such as those issued by Watershed Management, are required before a Building Permit can be obtained. Consultations typically last 30-60 minutes and may be held in person, on the phone, or through a virtual meeting. Further guidance, along with the Permit Consultation Request form, can be found on the Wake County website at wake.gov/WMhelp. 

This service is only offered to development projects located within the unincorporated areas of Wake County. Those looking to start a development project within a municipality or one of their extraterritorial jurisdictions should reach out to the respective municipal government for assistance.

What would you like to see here?

Is there a topic you'd like to see covered in a future newsletter? Send us your ideas at waternewsletter@wake.gov.