Water Wise: Storm Water Regulations

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- There are strict requirements for homes and businesses to follow storm water regulations.

Record amounts of rain fell in the Carolinas last week. The rain came down so fast and so hard it was a challenge for the storm drains to keep up.

Mecklenburg and Cabarrus counties were hardest hit with flooding. Thanks to the phase two storm water regulation there are guidelines new homes and new businesses need to follow to prevent flooding.

It’s part of the federally mandated Clean Water Act.

Some of the regulations include slowing down the runoff with Best Management Practices like a wetland or rain garden.

Derek Slocum, town engineer with Harrisburg, says the funding for phase two storm water regulation will come from the water and sewer rates that Harrisburg residents pay every month. This is common for most cities and counties in the Carolinas.