What we do Last updated or reviewed on March 18, 2025 The City’s stormwater program is a requirement established by the federal government’s Clean Water Act (CWA), which is dedicated to implementing broad-based watershed strategies to reduce water pollution. The federal government requires the City of Asheville, and all similarly-sized U.S. cities, to create and maintain stormwater programs in an effort to restore and maintain the integrity of our nation’s waters by dramatically reducing water pollution. Other primary initiatives: Reduce stormwater infrastructure failures which may cause property damage and loss of life Reduce flooding on streets and private property Reduce environmental degradation due to sedimentation, erosion and illicit discharge Notice: If you see emergency sediment, erosion, or illicit discharge violations within the city limits during normal business hours, weekdays 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., call 828-232-4567. After normal business hours or on weekends and holidays, please contact our on-call duty officer at 828-251-1122. Part of the Stormwater division’s mission is public education and outreach. To learn more or to request someone to speak to your group or organization, call the Stormwater Quality Specialist at 828-259-5401 or view Public Outreach for more information. Flood Assistance Support Team The Flood Assistance Support Team (FAST) is here to provide focused and personalized support for property/business owners, developers, and designers needing timely and clear information about what can be built or developed in the floodplain. This is a dedicated, interdepartmental team charged with prioritizing floodplain assistance and serving as the definitive group to help parties whose activities are subject to floodplain requirements. Parties needing special assistance to better evaluate their development options will be provided fee-free FAST Sessions. Dedicated time slots for FAST Sessions are offered twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday. Once registered, the full team will be alerted and in attendance at the meeting. The findings and action steps from these meetings will be documented. The FAST team will perform outreach to property owners who may have experienced substantial damage from Helene. They will start by reviewing properties that have already submitted permits on hold. The permits on hold have generally Sustained substantial damage; or They are close to the substantial damage threshold. These permits were placed on hold to provide staff the opportunity to work directly with the contractor and property owners on any up-to-date building value information such as pre-storm appraisals as well as their options for rebuilding. You can contact the team by email at fast@ashevillenc.gov. More resources are available here. Contact Information To connect with staff, visit the Contact Information page for current listing. 161 South Charlotte Street, Second Floor, Asheville, NC 28801 Monday through Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mailing Address – PO Box 7148, Asheville, NC 28802 Phone: 828-232-4567 Connect Address 161 S. Charlotte Street, Asheville, NC 28801 Mailing Address PO Box 7148, Asheville, NC 28802 Business HoursMonday-Thursday, 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.Stormwater Division ManagerDerek Wainscott, P.E.Phone828-232-4567 Related Services Report a stormwater violation Report if a storm drain is carrying anything other than rain water. Apply for a stormwater permit Get a Stormwater permit or visit the Permits and Applications home page. Pay stormwater utility bill Answers to Bill Pay and Questions on your Stormwater Utility Bill. Report a broken or clogged storm drain, flooding issues or request street sweeping Help keep the city streets free from excess debris and prevent property damage from rainwater runoff. Explore Related ServicesRelated Projects Hiawassee Street Stormwater System Repair Project Overview Stormwater crews have been working diligently since May 9 after heavy rainfall impacted the area. Crews have identified a significant number of utility conflicts in the area, preventing crews from installing the new stormwater lines. Staff are analyzing the possibility of rerouting and upgrading the line down Hiawassee St. from Rankin to North Lexington. Stormwater Utility Program Assessment and Fee Study Asheville’s Stormwater program has been funded by a stormwater fee for more than 17 years in order to meet the requirements of its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Permit and Stormwater Management Plan. In order to better serve our community, the City is proactively assessing our program and identifying areas where improvement is necessitated. Shiloh Culvert Rehabilitation Over the years, the bottom of the culverts started rusting out in many spots, which has caused a depression in the ground at the walking track, near the Hampton Street side. Temporary repairs have been made in the past, but now it is time for a longer-term solution. Explore Related ProjectsStormwater Services and Utility News Hiawassee Street temporarily repaved, roadway reopened Posted on March 3, 2025 by Jessica Hughes The City of Asheville completed temporary repaving on Hiawassee Street between Rankin Avenue and North Lexington Avenue, restoring smoother access for motorists and pedestrians. This work was necessary in the interim while planning continues for a permanent upgrade to the utility and stormwater systems. City staff are actively coordinating with utility partners to finalize designs and [...] City Council votes to approve text amendments to Asheville Flood Protection Ordinance Posted on January 28, 2025January 28, 2025 by Kim Miller On Tuesday, January 28, the Asheville City Council voted to adopt text amendments to Chapter 7 of the Asheville Code of Ordinances. The changes clear up ambiguity in floodplain regulations within city limits and ensure compliance with State law and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) regulations. They also clarify development language [...] Winter weather is on the way – How to prepare and follow best practices Posted on January 9, 2025January 9, 2025 by Jessica Hughes City of Asheville staff stands ready to serve the community through any emergency. Departments and personnel are staffed and ready to respond immediately to any weather related issue. The City of Asheville recommends that all residents take important steps now to prepare for cold weather throughout the season. The snow and cold weather in the forecast [...] Explore Stormwater Services and Utility News
Apply for a stormwater permit Get a Stormwater permit or visit the Permits and Applications home page.
Report a broken or clogged storm drain, flooding issues or request street sweeping Help keep the city streets free from excess debris and prevent property damage from rainwater runoff.
Hiawassee Street Stormwater System Repair Project Overview Stormwater crews have been working diligently since May 9 after heavy rainfall impacted the area. Crews have identified a significant number of utility conflicts in the area, preventing crews from installing the new stormwater lines. Staff are analyzing the possibility of rerouting and upgrading the line down Hiawassee St. from Rankin to North Lexington.
Stormwater Utility Program Assessment and Fee Study Asheville’s Stormwater program has been funded by a stormwater fee for more than 17 years in order to meet the requirements of its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Permit and Stormwater Management Plan. In order to better serve our community, the City is proactively assessing our program and identifying areas where improvement is necessitated.
Shiloh Culvert Rehabilitation Over the years, the bottom of the culverts started rusting out in many spots, which has caused a depression in the ground at the walking track, near the Hampton Street side. Temporary repairs have been made in the past, but now it is time for a longer-term solution.
Hiawassee Street temporarily repaved, roadway reopened Posted on March 3, 2025 by Jessica Hughes The City of Asheville completed temporary repaving on Hiawassee Street between Rankin Avenue and North Lexington Avenue, restoring smoother access for motorists and pedestrians. This work was necessary in the interim while planning continues for a permanent upgrade to the utility and stormwater systems. City staff are actively coordinating with utility partners to finalize designs and [...]
City Council votes to approve text amendments to Asheville Flood Protection Ordinance Posted on January 28, 2025January 28, 2025 by Kim Miller On Tuesday, January 28, the Asheville City Council voted to adopt text amendments to Chapter 7 of the Asheville Code of Ordinances. The changes clear up ambiguity in floodplain regulations within city limits and ensure compliance with State law and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) regulations. They also clarify development language [...]
Winter weather is on the way – How to prepare and follow best practices Posted on January 9, 2025January 9, 2025 by Jessica Hughes City of Asheville staff stands ready to serve the community through any emergency. Departments and personnel are staffed and ready to respond immediately to any weather related issue. The City of Asheville recommends that all residents take important steps now to prepare for cold weather throughout the season. The snow and cold weather in the forecast [...]
