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Stormwater Management Program
Charlottesville has a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4). This means that stormwater and sanitary sewage are completely separated.
The City’s stormwater conveyance system is made up of storm drains, curbs, gutters, ditches, man-made channels, and streams that are connected by a network of underground pipes. There are over 50 miles of underground stormwater pipes and over 4,000 stormwater structures in the City’s system.
Since our stormwater system drains to surface waters, Charlottesville is required to develop a Stormwater Management Program under the Environmental Protection Agency’s Stormwater Phase II (PDF) regulations. Since March 2003, the City is covered by the Virginia General Permit for Discharges of Stormwater from Small Municipal Storm Sewer Systems (MS4 Permit). There are six key elements of the stormwater management program (PDF); the key elements are addressed through the development and implementation of best management practices (BMPs) and will lead to water quality improvements through the reduction of pollutants to the maximum extent practicable.
If you have any questions or comments about the City’s Stormwater Management Program or MS4 Program Plan, please contact the Water Resources Protection Program.