Chapel Hill’s Stormwater Drainage Crew Counts on the Community

The drainage crew, housed within Public Works’ Stormwater Division, is a team of four dedicated staff members who help maintain the Town’s stormwater infrastructure and four major creeks and oversee street sweeping on Town roads.

Earlier this summer, Public Works’ Streets staff noticed a sinkhole on a road in a neighborhood less than half a mile from Booker Creek. While this is a specific issue in one neighborhood, it represents a problem that can happen anywhere. Reports of potential issues, whether they’re from staff or community members, help Town staff to respond promptly.

In this case, the Streets and Stormwater crews were out at the site of the sinkhole early the next morning to repair the broken stormwater pipe and make sure the road was safe.

We all play a role in stormwater management here in Chapel Hill. Our crew sees a lot when they are out around Town, but you know your neighborhood best. If you see a potential stormwater issue, let us know! You can email us at stormwater@chapelhillnc.gov, call us at 919-969-RAIN (7246), or report the issue on Resident Reporter by visiting chapelhillnc.gov/residentreporter.

Here are a few signs to watch for in your neighborhood:

• Water pooling or backing up where it should be flowing. This can be a sign of a blocked gutter, storm drain, ditch or stream.
• New or worsening dips in the road, particularly if you notice the asphalt cracking near a storm drain. Sometimes this is a sign that there’s a sinkhole forming.
• Debris or large objects in the path of flowing water. Tree branches, leaf piles, and trash roll carts can all become drainage blockages.