Stormwater Division

Restores, protects, and preserves the surface waters within the City of Winston-Salem and maintains, repairs, maps, and evaluates drainage systems within the street right-of-way.

“Water has a voice. It carries a message that tells those downstream who you are and how you care for the land."
                         — Bernie McGurl, Lackawanna River Association

Rain Barrels

Rain barrels are containers which collect and store runoff from rooftops for later use.  They are also a good tool for water conservation and a way to prevent the loss of "stormwater" as runoff.  Stormwater runoff can carry pollutants from our rooftops and yards into nearby streams and rivers.

Inexpensive rain barrels can be made from food grade plastic barrels or heavy-duty trash cans, often for as little as 15 dollars, or they can be purchased pre-made from commercial manufacturers and retailers.

Rain barrels can be used individually or linked in tandem to capture a greater volume of water. They can be tapped to fill a watering can or used as the central water source for water-saving drip irrigation systems.

Contact Cooperative Extension of Forsyth County, 703-2850, for more information.

Rain barrel materials

Rain barrel FAQ

Storm Drainage Improvements on Private Property

Under certain circumstances the city will address storm drainage problems on private property. The property must be zoned residential and owned by the occupants. In addition:

• The problem must be caused by street water;
• For newly constructed houses, the owner must have received a certificate of occupancy at least two years before requesting assistance;
• The assistant city manager for public works must determine that the drainage problem causes flooding in the dwelling or otherwise threatens the structural integrity of the dwelling; causes severe erosion of the drainageway;threatens to deny access to property that would be accessible; impedes the flow of water due to fallen brush and vegetative debris.
• The total cost of the improvements must not exceed $50,000.
• All requests for storm drainage improvements on private property must be approved by the City Council, and owners must pay 30 percent of the cost.

Water Fact from the EPA

If every home in the United States installed WaterSense labeled faucets or faucet aerators in the bathrooms, it would save 60 billion gallons of water annually, saving households more than $350 million in water bills and about $600 million in energy costs to heat their water. Additionally, water and waste water utilities would save 200 million kilowatt-hours of electricity normally used for supplying and treating that water.

 Of  interest: 

• Lenny the Lifeguard teaches kids about Stormwater Pollution
• Why should you care about stormwater?
• Pay your water/stormwater bill online 

Report polluters!

Only rain belongs in the storm drain.  Call (336) 747-7480 to report polluters.

"All the water that will ever be, is right now."
                                                - National Geographic, October 1993