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From YouTube: Aiken This Week - August 17, 2015 : Stormwater
Description
Sabina Craig, Assistant to the Director of Engineering & Utilities, explains the City of Aiken's involvement and responsibility with stormwater and how residents can help in the City's efforts.
A
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C
It's
like
you
said
my
title
is
assistant
to
the
director
of
engineering
and
utilities.
I've
been
with
the
city.
Almost
12
years
is
coming
december.
In
the
past
I
was
a
planner
working
with
Community
Development
Block
Grant
funds
and
was
promoted.
It
moved
over
to
engineering
utilities
in
which
I
still
oversee
the
community
development
block,
grant
and
I
also
manage
and
oversee
our
stormwater,
ms
4,
which
is
a
separate
stormwater
sewer
system.
Ok,.
A
C
Gran
not
long
ago,
people
never
really
thought
much
about
stormwater
and
recently,
as
you
see
from
Thursday,
we
had
a
big
big
storm
water
flooding
everywhere.
Stormwater
management
is
a
program
that
provides
for
stormwater
the
systems
and
operation
and
maintenance
of
it,
which
includes
collection,
disposal
and
any
treatment
of
the
water.
It
also
provides
capital
improvements
which
includes
new
construction
and
reconstruction
of
existing
storm
water
facilities,
the
city
of
Aiken.
C
You
know
they
are
mandated
under
the
state's
national
pollution
discharge,
an
elimination
system
or
npdes,
which
is
a
general
permit
through
D
head,
and
we
have
to
through
that
da
regulate
our
stormwater
maintenance
system.
As
a
small
municipal
separate
storm
sewer
system,
which
means
that
our
sewer
and
our
stormwater,
they
are
two
separate.
They
don't
go
in
together,
they're
too,
for
entities
that
go
down
the
drains.
Ok,
so.
A
C
As
we
build
and
construct
it
disturbs
the
soil,
so
development
changes
the
natural
surfaces
of
an
of
impervious
surfaces
such
as
roof
parking,
lots
pavements
things
like
that.
The
water
does
not
soak
in
to
the
ground
it
stays
on
top.
So
this
reduces
the
amount
of
rain
water
soaking
into
the
ground
and
causes
water
to
flow
into
the
ditches
and
to
our
streams
into
ponds
such
as
retention
and
detention
ponds
unless
properly
managed
storm
water
or
rain.
Water
creates
serious
erosion
problems.
C
A
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Although
storm,
what
it
does
not
affect
our
drinking
water
directly
polluted
storm,
what
it
does
affect
our
streams
and
our
ponds,
our
fish
and
wildlife,
when
rain
flows
over
the
streets
and
other
surfaces,
it
picks
up
pollutants
and
carries
them
into
the
storm.
Water,
conveyance,
storm
drain
system
and
the
storm
drain
system
is
designed
to
prevent
flooding
from
transporting
waters
away
from
developed
areas.
However,
this
water
is
filtered,
you
know
it's
not
filtered
or
treated
I
apologize.
It's
no
filter
to
treat
it.
C
So
when
all
the
contaminants
are,
it
contains
flow
into
our
streams
and
lakes
where
we
swim
and
where
we
fish.
This
does
affect
our
wildlife
and
inhabitants,
and
sometimes
in
even
cases
it
destroys
the
beaches
where
they
have.
To
close.
You
know,
because
it's
polluted
you
can't
get
out
there
and
swim
and.
B
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The
money
arm
when
it's
collected
it
goes
towards.
You
know
the
activities
to
help
with
stormwater
management
and,
as
far
as
how
it's
determined
again,
you
know,
based
on
the
lot
size
and
using
that
money,
helps
to
manage
how
we
fix
our
drains.
You
know
putting
it
in
ponds,
even
when
new
construction
they
put
in
ponds.
We,
you
know
oversee
that,
make
sure
that
they're
put
in
correctly.
We
make
sure
that
culverts
and
ditches
those
types
of
things
are
done
in
the
right
pipe
size
is
put
in
to.
A
C
B
C
C
And
what
to
raise
them
to
which
is
much
much
higher
than
what
we're
actually
paying
right
now,
but
those
fees
are
strictly
for
stormwater.
They
don't
pay
for
anything
else,
and
that's
just
again
for
pipes
for
drains
for
the
construction
of
putting
in
storm
boxes
and
those
type
of
things
to
ensure
that
storm
water
is
running
properly
through
the
system.
Okay,.
A
C
The
benefits
are
improved
water
quality,
maintenance
of
our
draining
drainage
facilities,
plus
less
yard
in
street
ponding
and
flooding.
You
know,
yard
shouldn't
sit
there
and
hold
water,
you
should
be
able
to
drain
and
that
you
know
could
help
as
well.
It
protects
our
environment,
it
reduces
the
soil
erosion
and
generally
Britain
really
brings
higher
property
value.
Ok,.
C
Does
it
get
well,
it
goes
down
the
drain,
it
goes
to
it
takes
it
out
to
what
we
call
there.
You
know
there's
an
outfall
and
it
goes
to
our
watershed
right
now.
I
think
we
have
about
four
watersheds
horse.
Creek
is
one
of
our
watersheds
that
where
we
have
a
collection
of
water,
it's
not
a
drinking
water,
but
that's
where
it
goes
when
it
overflows
it
has
to
have
someplace
to
go
just
like
our
sewer.
C
C
State
has
a
manager's
water
as
well
as
the
county
and
it
does
cross
over.
We
maintain
what
the
city
owns
in
what
we
regulate
within
the
city.
You
know
based
on
our
fees
of
what
we
charge
so
the
county
does.
There's
the
state
has
their
maintained,
their
storm
water,
but
the
city
does
within
the
city.
Ok,.
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A
C
It's
not,
unfortunately,
we
want
nothing
but
rain
to
go
down
the
storm
drain
because
generally
rain
water
doesn't
have
any
pollutants
in
it
is
usually
clean,
but
once
it
hits
the
earth
the
run
off
of
it,
it
carries
into
the
storm
pollutants
such
as
you
know,
Yolanda,
leizer
walls
and
grease
from
cars,
pesticides
and
other
trash
and
debris.
You
know
goes
down
into
the
storm
drain
and
gets
into
our
groundwater
supply.
Okay,.
C
It
is
the
city:
does
the
city
has
two
ordinances
which
can
be
found
on
our
website?
One
of
the
ordinances
article
13,
which
is
storm
water,
quantity
and
quality
management
requirements,
and
also
article
4,
which
is
stormwater
management
of
illicit
discharges
and
connections,
and
both
of
these
again
can
be
found
on
our
website
under
city
ordinance
in
chapter
44,
under
utilities.
Okay,.
A
C
I
inspect
as
well
as
you
know,
our
engineer
ensures
that
things
are
put
in
place
when
they
apply
for
their
storm
water
permit
and
also
our
inspections
department.
They
are
out.
We
look
at
various
things.
We
look
at
new
construction.
We
also
have
someone
that
goes
to
restaurants
to
ensure
that
grease
traps
are
installed.
B
C
C
We
have
brochures
online
and
other
information
that
they
can
read
to
help
them,
educate
them
a
little
more
about
stormwater
part
of
our
stormwater
program
as
I
permit.
We
have
to
comply
with
six
components
and
one
of
those
components
is
public
outreach
and
communication.
So
we
encourage
our
citizens
to
be
mindful
of
what
they're
doing
in
their
homes
and
some
of
the
things
are.
You
know,
even
when
you're
breaking
up
your
yard,
the
leaves
and
things
not
to
put
anything
in
the
road
away
from
the
storm
train.
C
You
want
to
put
it
in
the
right
of
way,
so
it
can
get
picked
up
properly,
not
to
you
know,
with
your
leaf
blow
or
blow
things
into
the
road.
Even
when
you're
washing
your
car,
we
ask
that
you
do
that
on
the
ground
during
the
grass
area,
not
on
a
concrete
area
and
use
non-toxic
detergents,
nothing
that
will
pollute
the
storm
water
if
it
has
to
go
down
into
the
drain.
Okay,.
A
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A
C
C
Once
it
gets
down
into
that
pipe
it
solidifies
and
that
stops
up
the
drains
in
big
industries
and
restaurants,
having
a
grease
trap
is
is,
is
very
important
that
also
goes
down
into
the
city
drains
and
clogs
of
those
big
big
pipes
in
that
backs
up
sore
infocus
homes
and
in
other
public
areas.
You'd
be
surprised
at
how
much
I
wants
a
mess
but
trouble
it
calls
when
that
grease
solidifies
in
the
drains
sure.
A
C
C
A
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C
We
want
to
make
sure
that
best
management
practices
are
put
in
place,
that
they're
not
going
to
cause
an
erosion
or
run
off
to
a
neighbor
neighboring
property
to
hurt
their
neighbor
and
cause
erosion
on
their
property,
so
we
inspect
on
a
monthly
basis
until
they
are
finished
and
ensuring
that
everything
is
put
in
place
that
you
know
all
their
storm
water
best
mentorship
practices
are
put
in
place.
Well,.
C
A
C
We
go
out
and
inspect
to
make
sure
everything
is
okay.
We
have
other
brochures
for
lawn
maintenance
and
gardening,
letting
even
places
businesses
know
that
sell
flowers
and
plants
and
homeowners
know
that
not
to
use
pesticides
fertilizers
and
things
like
that:
non-toxic,
not
debris
and
things
on
the
road
near
the
storm
drain
and
away
from
the
storm
drain.
Anything
that's
going
off
what
we
call
downstream,
making
sure
that's
not
happening
because
that's
going
to
pull
down
into
the
nearby
storm
drain.
C
A
C
This
and
again
appended,
depending
on
the
violation
such
if
there's
a
construction
site
we
can
do,
is
stop
in
to
cease
work
orders
which
is
assigned
place
on
the
construction
site.
Saying
you
can't
do
anything
else
until
you
take
care
of
that
storm
water
issue,
they
are
fees
and
the
fees
again
depends
on.
You
know
the
violation
and
possibly
jail
depending
on
the
severity
of
the
violation
and.
C
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C
Right
again,
you
know
picking
up
behind
your
pet
when
you're
out
walking
talking
about
you
know
when
you're,
washing
your
cars
or
watering
your
lawn
make
sure
that
you're
using
non
toxic
chemicals
again
even
at
home,
not
pouring
things
down
the
storm
drain.
We
ask
that
business
is,
if
you,
even
if
you're
doing,
yard,
work,
you're
painting
the
house
a
lot
of
times.
People
tend
to
just
pour
it
out
in
the
yard,
wash
it
out.
We
encourage
them
not
to
do
that.
Put
things
in
containers.
C
B
A
C
Some
of
the
things
that
you
know
we
want
to
let
people
know
about
stormwater
is:
is
it's
just
so
much
that
people
are
not
aware
of?
Even
you
know
our
past
Thursday
when
it
rained
so
hard.
You
know
we
want
people
to
know
that
the
city
is
out
there
working
hard
to
make
sure
that
water
is
being
drained
properly.
C
We
ask
that
some
of
the
things,
for
instance,
people
who
parking
in
their
yard
when
you're
constantly
parking
in
the
yard
that
syncs
your
yard,
so
water
holes
and
a
way
to
do
that
is
not
to
park
in
in
your
yard.
I
know
some
people
can't
help
that
and
not
have
paved
driveways,
but
just
define
a
spot
away
from
where
it
would
hold
water.
That
would
help
out
a
great
deal,
not
pouring
things
into
in
coupons.
A
lot
of
our
neighborhoods
have
retention
or
detention
ponds.
C
That
is
an
area
that
holds
water
for
a
short
period
of
time
when
it
rains
real
heavy
a
lot
of
times,
people
poor
things
into
that
or
put
trash
into
that.
We
encourage
you
not
to
do
that.
Even
you
know
your
soda
cans
and
be
mindful
of
of
when
you're
doing
that,
not
throwing
trash
into
the
street
and
littering
again
that
goes
down
into
the
drain.
Storm
drain
grates
do
cover,
but
there's
also
a
space
that
goes
down.
C
We
encourage
contractors
to
cover
storm
drains
when,
in
the
area
at
least
50
feet
downstream
of
where
they're
working
putting
dirt,
when
you're
digging
on
a
tarp
and
putting
nothing
again
into
the
street
and
that's
the
most
important
thing:
it's
not
putting
anything
into
the
street
that
it
would
wash
down
into
the
storm
drain.
Okay,.
A
C
The
community
development
block
grant
is
funding
that
the
city
receives
from
HUD
monies
from
the
president
decides
where
this
funding
is
going
to
be
dispersed,
and
it
goes
out
of.
Washington
comes
from
Washington
into
Columbia,
which
is
where
our
representatives
are.
The
city
of
Aiken
has
been
receiving
Development
Block
Grant
funds.
Probably
since
the
early
seventies,
each
year
we
are
considered
an
entitlement
community
which
means
that
our
application
is
a
continuing
application.
We
don't
have
to
apply
for
it
every
year.
B
C
The
funding
we
get
strictly
goes
to
low
and
moderate
income,
families
and
neighborhoods.
It
assists
those
with
various
things
and
activities.
There's
a
public
hearing
which
we
encourage
the
public
to
attend
to
give
their
opinion
their
thoughts
of
how
they
would
like
to
see
the
funding
spent
in
their
neighborhoods.
C
C
Some
of
the
other
things
that
we've
done
in
the
community
is
put
in
new
sidewalks.
We've
done
street
lighting
streetscape
we've
done
water
and
sewer
lines,
a
matter
of
fact.
We've
been
working
over
in
cross
from
park
and
in
governor
Reagan
Park,
putting
in
water
lines
and
sewer
lines,
and
some
of
the
CDBG
funds
have
gone
towards
that.
We've
helped
various
neighborhoods
I
think
we
have
13
neighborhood
associations
in
the
past,
those
neighborhoods
that
are
in
low
and
moderate
income
areas
which
is
based
on
census.
Data
have
used
those
funds
to
do.
C
A
C
Of
that
means,
we
once
were
sure
put
in
the
sidewalks,
the
street
lighting
streetscape
the
trees.
Cdbg
funds
cannot
be
used
for
new
construction,
but
you
know
anything
anything
else.
We
put
quite
a
bit
of
money
over
into
a
hill.
We
put
some
of
the
funding
in
other
areas,
such
as
governor
Eden,
Park
course,
crosman
part
of
their
Schofield
area,
yeah.