Stormwater

Sources include malfunctioning wastewater treatment plants, leaking sewer lines, failing septic systems, livestock operations, wildlife, pets, and inadequate pumping facilities at recreation sites.

Metals are toxic to many aquatic organisms. Because metals accumulate in the tissues of aquatic life, humans who eat fish and shellfish are subjected to this toxicity. Sources of metals include automobile emissions, paints, roofing materials, motor oils, spills from industrial sites, and natural weathering of rocks.

Organic matter is made of leaves, grass clippings, leftover foods, decaying plant life, and animal wastes. These products use oxygen during their decomposition process. High amounts of organic matter washed into our lakes and streams can contribute to low oxygen levels which are unsuitable for aquatic life, resulting in massive kills.

Oil and grease affect aquatic life by bonding with sediment and settling on the bottom of our waters producing toxicity to plant and animal life or floating on top and cutting off oxygen supplies to plant and animal life. Sources of this pollutant include runoff from driveways, roads, parking lots, gas stations, freight operations, warehouse and storage facilities, and improper disposal of these products by the consumer.

Pesticides and herbicides are man-made compounds used to control or kill insects and weeds. These chemicals are generally toxic to aquatic life, causing kills or disease. They may also accumulate in the tissue of fish or shellfish, hence becoming toxic to humans and animals that consume the fish or shellfish. Sources include agriculture, urban development, the weekend gardener, and improper disposal of the products and their containers.

To learn more about Stormwater pollution, view the Citizen's Guide to Stormwater (PDF) or the Guía del Cuidando Sobre Aguas Pluviales (PDF).

Stormwater Post-Construction

On Monday October 10, 2022 Gaston County Natural Resources will begin accepting online erosion control and stormwater plan submittals through the Citizen’s Self Service Portal (CSS). We will continue to accept permit applications and plans in person or via mail until November 4th, 2022. Beginning November 5th, 2022, submittals will only be allowed through the Citizen Self Ser-vice Portal. An account with Gaston County will be required to submit plans and supporting documentation, access permit status, and access inspection reports. We ask that you use this time to get accounts established. Any application you have in our current process will be allowed to continue.

For Erosion Control and Stormwater plan submittals, the Financially Responsible Owner (FRO) must create the account and submit the plans online along with all supporting documentation. Additional contacts associated with the plans can be added during the submittal process. However, all correspondence, notifications, and inspection reports regarding the submitted plans will only be accessible to the FRO.

Any FRO currently working on projects within Gaston County that does not have an account with Gaston County will need to create one to access permits and inspection reports, as all existing and active projects have been merged into the new Energov system. The account registration can be completed online at Citizen's Self Service. If you have questions regarding this process, email Jonathan Boerger or call 704-922-2150.

As is already the process for Gaston County and the municipalities located in Gaston County, for any project that needs a zoning permit prior to obtaining a building construction permit, that process should be completed first. Beginning November 5th you must have a zoning permit or a letter from the municipality where your project is located that allows Gaston County Natural Resources to accept your application and begin our permitting process.

Service Requests or Complaints

In order to better determine how we can help you with your stormwater or erosion concerns, please review the Stormwater or Erosion Complaints (PDF) regarding how such issues are handled according to the statute. In most cases, damages incurred by a property owner as a result of stormwater or erosion control violations is a civil matter between the parties involved. Please visit the Mediation Center of the Southern Piedmont for more information about settling civil matters.

Stormwater Post-Construction Planning & Design Links

NC DEQ Stormwater Design Manual
Stormwater Control Ordinance

Stormwater Permit Fees

A stormwater permit is required for all land-disturbing operations that equal to or exceed one acre. The Gaston County Board of Commissioners has established permit review fees equal to $350 per acre. These fees shall be doubled when activity subject to the ordinance begins before a stormwater permit is obtained from the county.

For land, disturbing areas equal to or more than one acre, the stormwater permit application plan shall be prepared by and bear the seal and signature of a professional engineer or landscape architect licensed in the state of North Carolina.

$350 non-refundable plan review processing fee for each acre of disturbed land or any part of an acre of disturbed land (including off-site borrow and waste areas). No processing fee will be charged for a revised plan unless the revised plan contains an increase in the number of acres to be disturbed.

Example: 1.0 acre = $350

1.1 acre = $700