Environmental Services

Clean Water Education Program

What is the Clean Water Education Program (CWEP)?

The Clean Water Education Program is a cooperative effort between local governments, state agencies, and nonprofit organizations to protect water quality in the Tar-Pamlico, Neuse and Cape Fear River Basins. CWEP aims to protect North Carolina's waterways from stormwater pollution through public education and outreach.

CWEP helps public entities communicate the importance of clean water and how vital it is for healthy ecosystems and a high quality of life for residents.

Learn, Engage and Be Part of the Solution for a Cleaner Future!

Educate yourself through our informative educational videos to uncover the vital role that CWEP plays in preserving water quality and the environment.

Educational Videos:

Floodplain Education

Chapter 153A of the North Carolina General Statutes delegated to local governmental units the responsibility to adopt regulations designed to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare of its citizenry. As a result, the Town of Clayton has adopted a local Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance. Staff proposed an Amendment (PDF) to the Town's Code of Ordinances in June 2018 to adopt the updated Flood Insurance Rate Map, which is required to maintain participation in the National Flood Insurance Program. The new maps are available for viewing on the NC Flood Mapping Program's website using the Flood Risk Information System (FRIS) viewer.

This ordinance is necessary for the following reasons:

The flood prone areas of the Town of Clayton are subject to periodic inundation which results in loss of life, property, health and safety hazards
Floods can cause the disruption of commerce and governmental services
Floods can cause extraordinary public expenditures of flood protection and relief, and impairment of the tax base
All of the above adversely impact the public health, safety, and general welfare
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provides flood insurance to property owners residing in Chatham County as a result of this ordinance and the county's participation in the NFIP program. The county strongly encourages residents to participate in the NFIP
The Town of Clayton is eligible for federal disaster funds as a result of this program

Use GIS Map to Show Floodplain Areas

Johnston County's GIS website can be used to map the FEMA Regulatory Special Flood Hazard Area (see hatched floodplain area) for property owners.

More Information

Please see the following links for further information or contact the Town of Clayton Floodplain Administrator at 919-553-5002:

Stormwater Education

Learn About Stormwater:

As the Town of Clayton experiences population growth, accompanied by expanded development encompassing residential areas, commercial establishments, pathways and parking lots, the cumulative impact results in an increase in impervious surfaces. In the absence of an alternative route, stormwater traverses these surfaces, becoming a carrier of these diverse pollutants. These pollutants are subsequently funneled directly into our streams and rivers. The ramifications of this extend beyond our immediate environment, potentially affecting wildlife not only within our local streams but also inhabiting larger river systems and even reaching the Atlantic Ocean.

What is Stormwater?

Stormwater comprises various forms of water runoff, including rainfall and irrigation from sources like lawn sprinklers. In the context of the Town of Clayton, it ultimately finds its way into the Neuse River and its associated tributaries.

Identifying Common Pollutants and Their Sources:

Numerous pollutants can enter our waterways, originating from various sources. These pollutants include:

Sediment: Often caused by improper bank maintenance or lack of vegetation
Nitrogen: Primarily derived from animal waste and fertilizer usage
Phosphorus: Frequently associated with household products
Oil: Typically generated by vehicles and machinery

Distinguishing Various Stormwater Infrastructure Types:

Bioretention Pond: A recessed area in the ground, with or without vegetation, designed for stormwater management.
- Key Structures: Includes inflow/outflow pipes, an overflow riser and a trash rack.
Wetland: Resembles a bioretention pond but features a permanent pool. Both wetlands and bioretention ponds should be adorned with native plantings and regularly maintained to prevent the proliferation of invasive cattails, which provide favorable breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Wet Pond: Shares similarities with a wetland but has reduced retention requirements.
Permeable Pavement: Exhibits various forms designed to facilitate the infiltration of stormwater.
Green Roof: Encompasses rooftop vegetation that can absorb rainfall, thereby reducing the volume of stormwater runoff.

Stormwater Projects

Permeable Pavements at Town Hall

You may have observed the distinct appearance of the southwest section of our Town Hall parking lot, and although it may not immediately stand out, it serves a crucial purpose. Traditional paved surfaces are impermeable, preventing water from naturally percolating through the soil. Instead, rainwater runs off, collecting pollutant along the way.

In contrast, the gray bricks you see in the photo below are strategically spaced apart, allowing water to flow through the gaps into a layer of gravel beneath. This gravel layer carefully manages the gradual release of water into the Town of Clayton's stormwater system and facilitates its infiltration into the underlying soil. This process ensures biogeochemical filtration, contributing to improved water quality and sustainability.

Varied Forms of Permeable Pavements: Sustainable Stormwater Solutions

Permeable pavements appear in various forms, some of which can be virtually indistinguishable from traditional pavements under dry conditions. Yet, regardless of their appearance, their shared purpose remains constant: to combat runoff by enabling water to naturally flow through the surface and into the underlying soil through the force of gravity.

Bioretention Cell at Municipal Park

One of the notable features of Municipal Park is the strategically designed bioretention cell, carefully implemented to address the challenges posed by stormwater. This purposeful bioretention pond serves as a key element in managing the substantial influx of stormwater in this vicinity.

During rainfall events, the pond efficiently collects water through surface runoff and inlet pipes linked to the underground stormwater system. The pond is designed to temporarily hold water up to a predetermined volume, maintaining it as a controlled pool. To prevent flooding, an outlet riser allows excess water to spill over should the water level surpass this threshold. Over time, the accumulated water naturally percolates through the soil, leveraging its natural filtration properties to remove pollutants.

Key Benefits of these Systems:

Erosion Prevention: Minimizes soil erosion.
Ecosystem Preservation: Supports the health of ecosystems and wildlife.
Flood Control: Helps manage and mitigate flood risks.
Aesthetic Enhancement: Enhances visual appeal.
Property Protection: Safeguards properties from water-related damage.
Biogeochemical Transformation: Facilitates soil-based processes that convert pollutants into less harmful substances.

Stormwater Control Measure Inspection Forms