May 2026, Volume 21, Issue 3 - Members Only
TABLE OF CONTENTS
President's Corner
The Concept of Control
In our world of rain and runoff, we talk about control all the time - stormwater control measures, erosion and sedimentation control, and what if we could control the weather? Sometimes these things can actually be controlled, sometimes not. Then, somewhere between what we can and can’t control is influence. With all of this in mind, it is reassuring to know that SESWA is there to provide insight on these concepts.
The highly successful Spring Seminar in Atlanta, GA on April 17th had stories and presentations from assessment to action. We learned that through intentional and predictive analytics, we can control outcomes by building nature-based solutions to flooding. We saw how a local nonprofit is influencing the outcome of our universal battle with litter by intercepting trash using instream capture devices and floating wetlands. As we look ahead to another uncontrollable hurricane season and the promise of heavy summer rains, we have skills and lessons learned from our peers to better prepare us for the response.
This is the value of what our association offers, and it doesn’t stop at the in-person events! The State Spotlight webinar was on May 21st with a focus on the State of Alabama and Auburn University. It was invigorating to hear how research at a premier outdoor stormwater laboratory is leading to real world solutions in stormwater.
The SESWA Board of Directors has almost completed another strategic planning session to guide the Association through the next five years of member services and organizational growth. Having completed the previous five-year plan with great success (see the “Celebrating Our Success” flyer on the SESWA homepage!) this new Strategic Plan will create new goals to focus on education, communications, and policy, defining the value of membership.
The true value of SESWA membership lies in the collective experience of networking with each other and learning lessons to help us prepare for the uncontrollable events certain to come. By learning, assessing, planning, and implementing, we are able to exert control and influence so that we are poised to react appropriately and successfully to stormwater challenges.
John Butler
SESWA President
Gwinnett County, GA
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SESWA's 21st Annual Regional Stormwater Conference - Register Today!
 This year marks the 21st Annual Regional Stormwater Conference, continuing our tradition of bringing together professionals dedicated to protecting and improving water quality across the Southeast. We are excited to gather this year in Point Clear, Alabama on September 30 – October 2, 2026, where attendees will connect, collaborate, and share innovative approaches to stormwater management.
Managing stormwater means balancing compliance, performance, and limited resources. This conference helps you do all three more effectively. Get direct access to technical experts, practical solutions you can apply right away, and a network of peers facing the same challenges. Plus, SESWA members attend at deeply discounted rates making it an easy, high-value investment in your program and professional growth. Visit the conference website to register today!
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A Look Back at the SESWA Seminar
 SESWA’s 21st Annual Regional Stormwater Seminar, held on April 17, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia, centered on the theme From Assessment to Action: Improving Stormwater Systems for Today’s Complex Challenges. The event brought together more than 160 stormwater professionals from across the Southeast to discuss innovation in stormwater management and explore emerging techniques and strategies for addressing the evolving challenges of stormwater treatment. Attendees examined real-world project examples and shared lessons learned from implementing projects that balanced natural solutions with traditional hard infrastructure approaches. SESWA extends its appreciation to everyone who participated, with special thanks to our Seminar presenters who shared their knowledge and our Seminar Sponsors for their support.
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Service Project Success
 On April 16th, SESWA was proud to partner with the City of Dunwoody, GA, for a hands-on environmental service project focused on restoring the Nancy Creek Fork corridor. The event brought together twenty-two Seminar attendees for a morning dedicated to removing invasive plant species and planting native vegetation along the creek that will provide long-term environmental benefits for years to come. Participants worked side-by-side throughout the morning to improve the  health and resilience of the stream corridor while supporting local ecological restoration efforts and strengthening connections within the stormwater community.
The service project reflected SESWA’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and collaboration within the stormwater community. Thank you to all of the volunteers who made this a huge success!
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Watch the State Spotlight Webinar Recording to Learn About Stormwater Innovations in the Southeast!
 Did you miss the SESWA State Spotlight Webinar: Stormwater Innovation in the Southeast? Visit the SESWA State Spotlight Webinar page to view the presentation and the recording! Auburn University researcher, Dr. Michael A. Perez, showcased real world solutions and innovations from one of the nation’s premier outdoor stormwater laboratories. Attendees learned how field testing and interdisciplinary research at Auburn’s Stormwater Research Facility are advancing best practices, influencing standards, and equipping professionals across the region to protect water quality and build resilient stormwater infrastructure. Please note continuing education credit is only available for those who attended the free live webinar.
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Registration is Now Open for SESWA's July Webinar!
SESWA welcomes the City of Chamblee, GA as they share their management and adoption strategies while standing up a new framework for their MS4 program. Join us on July 30, 2026, for this free webinar! In a data-driven age with limited infrastructure funding, it is more imperative that MS4’s are able to be proactive in their approach to inspections & maintenance. An asset-based approach can help provide the consistency and detail needed to identify the weak points of an aging system or help justify funding increases to skeptical leadership. Attendees are eligible for up to one (1) continuing education credit on an hour per hour basis.
This webinar is presented free thanks to our 2026-2027 Communications Sponsors!
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Renew Your SESWA Membership for 2026-27!
As SESWA moves into its 21st year, we’re proud to continue building a thriving network of stormwater professionals across the Southeast. This year, SESWA has reached record membership levels with 228 organizations representing more than 1,800 individuals, and we look forward to growing even more together in the year ahead.
Renewing your organization’s membership is quick and easy. Your organization’s primary contact received an email on May 6 with a personalized invoice link to renew online or download an invoice for payment by check. Paper invoices were also mailed to the primary contact address on file. If you did not receive a renewal notice or are unsure who your organization’s primary contact is, SESWA is happy to help.
Be sure to renew before June 30 so your organization can continue enjoying SESWA’s valuable member benefits, including access to this newsletter, professional resources, networking opportunities, training, and more. For assistance, contact SESWA at [email protected].
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Find What You Need Faster: Make the Most of SESWA's Website Search
 Ever feel like the answer you need is somewhere on the SESWA website but you’re not sure where? That’s exactly what our search function is designed for. With just a few well-chosen words, you can quickly uncover articles, resources, and tools related to any topic you’re interested in.
Why use the search function? Instead of clicking through multiple menus or scrolling through pages, SESWA’s search bar lets you jump straight to relevant information. Whether you’re looking for a past presentation, newsletter articles, or expert insights, search saves time and reduces frustration.
Here are a few tips for better search results:
- Visit www.SESWA.org, and look for “Search our site” in the upper right corner of the homepage.
- Keep it simple. Start with one or two key terms and refine if needed.
- Try synonyms. If one term doesn’t work, a similar word might.
- Look beyond the first result. Some of the most helpful content may appear a little further down the list.
One of the biggest benefits of using the search feature is stumbling upon valuable information you may not have found otherwise like related articles, FAQs, or resources connected to your original topic. So, the next time you have a question or need guidance, give the SESWA website search bar a try. It’s one of the quickest ways to unlock the full value of our website and get the information you need, right when you need it.
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SESWA Community Forum - Join the Conversation
SESWA is committed to being a trusted resource and maintaining open channels of communication. As a member of SESWA you have access to an online Community Forum to post questions, share information, and discuss emerging issues with your peers throughout the Southeast! Visit the Forum today and be sure to subscribe to the topics that interest YOU!
Here's the latest from the Forum:
Stormwater Emergency Response Procedure
Joshua Rogers, City of Chattanooga, TN
Emergency response procedures are a part of MS4 permit compliance associated with IDDE. First responders are typically first to an accident/spill and should have access to an MS4 drainage map to help determine if there is a potential stream impact. They are also typically trained in how to deploy BMPs to capture, stop, or slow down a discharge.
How is your stormwater program involved, if at all, in this process? Do you help with the immediate clean up efforts? Do you go to the active incident site to evaluate and document it yourself? Do you only go after cleanup has occurred to determine if it was done correctly? Do you just review the documentation submitted by your fire department?
Post Reply
Defining Outfalls
John Butler, Gwinnett County, GA
Some recent discussions have revealed, yet again, that something as simple as a stormwater outfall can be very hard to define. Rather, the definition can be hard to interpret! Then, there are different definitions in different states. It's one thing to talk about a pipe, or even a ditch, discharging to water of the state, but is it MS4?
There is also the fact that dry weather screening at outfalls doesn't seem to reveal illicit discharges very often. So, is there really a benefit to a broad interpretation of the outfall definition?
Post Reply
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Pressure on EPA to Update SDWA Standards
Kevin Coyne, SESWA
Environmental groups are pressuring the EPA to update their approach to addressing high nitrate levels present in drinking water sources. Recent studies have identified high nitrate levels in groundwater drinking water sources, and researchers and environmental groups are asking EPA to reconsider regulatory standards for nitrate levels. A coalition of groups are looking for EPA to strengthen the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) included in Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) standards. The current legal limit for total nitrate/nitrite (measured as nitrogen) is 10 mg/L, and EPA has also been asked to further research what levels are still protective of human health, with some considering the need to significantly decrease the MCL level. While this pressure is not focusing on stormwater, any significant change to a federal standard can impact how stormwater projects are managed and can impact areas where reuse is in place. SESWA will stay tuned to see if EPA moves forward with any changes or initiates new research on this topic.
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Office of Inspector General Report Raises Concerns on EPA Reorganization
Kevin Coyne, SESWA
A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Inspector General report says the Agency’s recent reorganization is hurting grant distribution, disaster relief, and overall program management. The report highlights growing concerns that staffing and organizational changes are reducing agency effectiveness. Some federal agencies, including Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), are already rehiring positions impacted by DOGE-related policies, raising questions about whether EPA may also restore some roles or programs. Many SESWA members have seen first-hand the impacts of the changes to federal programs and have voiced concerns over the delays in funding, and we hope this report helps brings attention to the need for EPA to be fully staffed.
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New EPA Stormwater Infrastructure Funding Across the Southeast
Danielle Hopkins, SESWA
EPA Region 4 has announced approximately $80 million in new funding through the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program to improve wastewater and stormwater infrastructure across the Southeast. The investment is aimed at reducing sewage overflows, upgrading aging systems, and helping communities better manage flooding and heavy rainfall.
Several states are receiving allocations, including Florida with about $4.8 million, North Carolina with about $2.2 million, and Alabama with about $878,000. The funding will support projects that modernize infrastructure, improve stormwater systems, and reduce pollution risks to local waterways.
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Over the course of the coming year, the Stormwater Policy Committee hopes to provide insights on the benefits and barriers of green infrastructure. Stormwater management has transformed over the last 50 years from a simple mission to move water away from streets and buildings into an integrated, resilience-focused practice that looks to mimic nature to improve water quality, restore ecosystems, and reduce risk. Our SESWA mission is to support our members in advancing this approach.
Green Infrastructure in South Carolina – A Statewide Perspective
Reported by Jane McDonough, Brown and Caldwell
SESWA Stormwater Policy Committee Member
We’ve published several articles on Green Infrastructure (GI) over the past few issues—starting in November with an overview of GI and its historical evolution, followed by Florida’s growing implementation of GI and Low Impact Development (LID) in January, and a March article on the State of Green Infrastructure in North Carolina. Now, it’s time to turn our attention to South Carolina.
 Within the stormwater field, professionals have primarily focused on GI applications for stormwater management, commonly referred to as Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI). However, it’s worth noting that practitioners in other fields use the term differently. Urban planners may define GI (i.e., green spaces) as natural or constructed areas that improve urban environments, while others view it as a network of interconnected natural areas or habitat corridors that provide ecosystem services.
Worth noting is South Carolina’s 3-year-old Green Infrastructure Plan, produced by the South Carolina Forestry Commission in collaboration with the Green Infrastructure Center and state, regional and local governments. The purpose of the plan is to provide information to help communities, agencies and others develop strategies to restore, connect, and protect South Carolina’s habitats in the face of rapid development, sea level rise, increasing storm intensity, wildfires, and other threats to our state.
In this broader context, a strong Green Infrastructure network – comprising intact forests, wetlands, bays, dunes, rivers, woodlands, grasslands, parks and other natural landcovers -provides ecological services such as clean air and water, critical wildlife habitat, food, shelter, storm buffers, flood protection, nature-based recreation, and other services.
GSI, on the other hand, exists largely outside these natural corridors but can provide some of the same ecosystem functions within our developed communities. Stormwater practitioners may not be able to provide habitat for forest interior dwelling birds, but we can install the little green dots within the built environment that help recharge groundwater, filter pollutants, provide a bit of habitat, mitigate urban heat, reduce runoff and peak flow, and do their best to mimic the hydrology of the natural areas that development has fragmented or removed.
I first became familiar with GSI while working in Maryland, where distributed stormwater practices such as micro bioretention – referred to there as Environmental Site Design (ESD) - have been part of statewide stormwater requirements for more than 15 years. Maryland law requires local ordinances to utilize “ESD to the MEP” (environmental site design to the maximum extent practicable, don’t we love our acronyms) with ponds and other structural practices allowed only when ESD isn’t feasible.
In South Carolina, no comparable statewide mandate exists, but the use of GSI is growing. Post‑construction stormwater management is governed by the Stormwater Management and Sediment Reduction Act of 1991 and associated regulations which require some land disturbing activities to implement stormwater control measures. Water quality control can be achieved with practices that remove 80% of TSS, provide extended detention for the first ½ inch of runoff for practices with a permanent pool or 1-inch of runoff for dry ponds, or infiltrate the first inch of runoff from impervious areas (standards may vary in coastal zones). Minimum standards for quantity control require peak matching of 2- and 10-yr post- to pre-development storms. These standards encourage installation of traditional stormwater ponds and other storage practices typically seen throughout the state. While effective at peak flow control and some pollutant removal, these practices store and release stormwater rather than reduce it, are land-intensive, and can contribute to downstream erosion due to prolonged discharge durations and unnatural flow patterns.
 While some local ordinances closely follow the state’s minimum criteria, many have adopted standards in recent years requiring some degree of runoff reduction - a core principle of GSI. Runoff reduction practices reduce the volume of stormwater flowing over land and into waterways, so their use can reduce or eliminate storage volumes. Several jurisdictions now require Unified Sizing Criteria (USC) in stormwater design. These address the full range of storm events to manage recharge and water quality (WQv) volumes, channel protection (CPv) and overbank flood control (QOF) volumes and provide extreme flood management (Q100). This volume-based approach can help designers meet requirements more efficiently by first reducing runoff at the source through infiltration, evapotranspiration, rain harvesting, stormwater reuse and groundwater recharge.
Several jurisdictions define the water quality storm as the 85th percentile storm event (typically 1.2” of rainfall or above depending on location), including Berkeley County, Lexington County (which allows either USC or the more traditional approach), and the City of Aiken. Others use the 90th percentile storm (Richland County), or volume requirements may vary by area due to local watershed protection needs. This approach is used in the Southern Low Country Stormwater Design Manual covering Beaufort County, Jasper County, Beaufort, Bluffton, Hardeeville, and Port Royal, where up to the 95% percentile storm is required to be retained onsite in some areas. Other jurisdictions such as the City of Charleston and Greenville County have standards that encourage or explicitly require the use of GSI practices to reduce runoff before detention can be implemented.
Many local ordinances also encourage, incentivize, or require development projects to utilize Better Site Design, a set of design strategies that reduce environmental and stormwater impacts by conserving natural areas, minimizing impervious surfaces, and managing runoff more naturally. Through use of narrower streets and driveways, disconnecting impervious surfaces, and clustering development to preserve natural areas, topography and soils, designers can reduce runoff and treatment costs while also creating more attractive and desirable spaces. Some jurisdictions offer water quality treatment credits to incentivize these practices while others require them as part of site planning.
 In addition to evolving design standards, nature-based solutions are increasingly being implemented across the state as part of urban retrofits, water quality improvement programs, flood mitigation efforts, wetland protection, resilience planning, stream restoration, and habitat restoration efforts - especially in coastal areas. Together, these projects strengthen our communities while also contributing to South Carolina’s broader Green Infrastructure network. As these practices continue to expand, they will play a critical role in supporting a more resilient and sustainable future for South Carolina.
Rivers End: How Green Infrastructure Is Improving Water Quality in Beaufort County
Reported by Taylor Brewer, Beaufort County, SC
SESWA Stormwater Policy Committee Member
Across coastal communities, aging stormwater infrastructure and increasing water quality concerns are forcing local governments to rethink traditional approaches to drainage improvements. In Beaufort County, South Carolina, that shift is already underway. Rather than relying solely on conventional pipe replacement projects, the County is investing in green infrastructure solutions that improve both drainage function and environmental health.
One of the most promising examples of this approach is the Rivers End neighborhood near Okatie, South Carolina.
A Community in Need of More Than Pipe Replacement
Rivers End is a 40-acre residential community comprised of single-family detached homes located within the Okatie River watershed. The existing stormwater system includes roadside ditches, two wet ponds, and a complex failing piped network consisting of reinforced concrete pipe (RCP) installed over high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe. Over time, deterioration of this double-layered system has caused a large sinkhole to form.
The community ultimately discharges to the Okatie River watershed, which is designated as impaired for fecal coliform under the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program. Because Beaufort County owns and maintains the roads and rights-of-way within Rivers End, the area was identified as an ideal candidate for implementing water quality-focused stormwater best management practices (BMPs).
Historically, many drainage projects in similar neighborhoods would focus strictly on replacing failing infrastructure with new pipes of similar design. While that approach may restore conveyance capacity, it often misses the opportunity to improve water quality, reduce pollutant loading, and create more resilient systems.
At Rivers End, Beaufort County chose a different path.
Moving Beyond Traditional Stormwater Design
Instead of simply replacing the aging pipe network, the County is incorporating thoughtfully designed bioswales throughout the project area. These vegetated systems are engineered to slow, filter, and infiltrate stormwater runoff before it reaches downstream waterways.
Bioswales provide several important benefits in coastal communities like Beaufort County:
- Removal of pollutants such as sediment, nutrients, and bacteria from stormwater runoff
- Reduction in runoff velocity and peak flow during storm events
- Increased infiltration and groundwater recharge
- Improved aesthetics and neighborhood character
- Enhanced resilience through distributed treatment practices rather than reliance on a single pipe system
 In impaired watersheds, these benefits become even more critical. Every opportunity to reduce pollutant loading contributes to long-term water quality restoration efforts and helps local governments meet broader regulatory goals.
The Rivers End project demonstrates that stormwater retrofits can serve multiple purposes simultaneously: restoring drainage function, improving environmental outcomes, and creating more sustainable infrastructure systems.
The Maintenance Challenge
While green infrastructure offers significant advantages, long-term success depends heavily on maintenance. In fact, maintenance is often cited as one of the largest barriers to implementing green infrastructure projects nationwide.
Unlike traditional gray infrastructure that may remain out of sight underground, bioswales and other green systems require ongoing inspection, vegetation management, sediment removal, and adaptive care to function as intended. Without consistent maintenance, even the best-designed systems can lose effectiveness over time.
Beaufort County recognized this challenge early in the Rivers End planning process.
To ensure long-term success, the County is preparing a dedicated maintenance crew specifically trained in green infrastructure operations and upkeep. This specialized team will focus on maintaining bioswales and other water quality BMPs using practices tailored to living infrastructure systems.
 This investment in workforce development is just as important as the physical infrastructure itself. Green infrastructure cannot succeed as a “set it and forget it” solution. It requires knowledgeable staff who understand how vegetation, hydrology, and stormwater treatment systems interact over time.
By building internal expertise now, Beaufort County is positioning itself to expand green infrastructure implementation more effectively in future projects throughout the County.
Building a More Resilient Future
Projects like Rivers End reflect a broader evolution in stormwater management. Communities are increasingly recognizing that infrastructure projects should do more than move water quickly off-site. They should also protect downstream waterways, improve ecosystem health, and create resilient systems capable of adapting to future challenges.
For coastal communities facing impaired waterways, aging infrastructure, and increasing development pressures, green infrastructure offers an opportunity to achieve multiple objectives through a single investment.
 The Rivers End project illustrates how local governments can move beyond traditional drainage replacement projects and embrace solutions that provide measurable environmental benefits while still addressing critical infrastructure needs.
As Beaufort County continues its commitment to improving water quality, Rivers End serves as a valuable example of how thoughtful planning, innovative BMP implementation, and dedicated maintenance strategies can work together to create more sustainable stormwater systems for the future.
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NACWA Corner
Provided by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies
Matthew McKenna, Director, Government Affairs
 EPA Releases WRAP 2.0
At an event held in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) historic map room on April 16th, Administrator Lee Zeldin unveiled the Water Reuse Action Plan (WRAP) 2.0, signaling a renewed federal push to expand water reuse as a core part of how communities manage their water resources. Building on the original 2020 plan, the update reflects how quickly conditions are changing, with population growth, expanding industry, and the rapid rise of data centers placing new pressure on local water systems across the country.
Even in the Southeast, which has long been seen as water-rich, utilities are confronting a more complex reality. Rapid growth, increasing industrial demand, and more variable precipitation patterns mean utilities are often managing both heavy storm events and periodic supply concerns. Against that backdrop, WRAP 2.0 reinforces a broader shift in thinking: water that has traditionally been managed as runoff or waste is increasingly viewed as a resource that can be captured and reused.
This shift has clear implications for stormwater utilities. EPA has highlighted that stormwater can be captured and treated for beneficial uses such as irrigation, industrial processes, and groundwater recharge. In a region where intense rainfall can overwhelm infrastructure while dry periods still stress supplies, reuse offers a way to better manage both extremes and extract greater value from existing systems.
WRAP 2.0 is designed to accelerate these efforts by promoting reuse to improve supply reliability, ensuring treatment is appropriate for specific uses, and expanding collaboration among federal, state, and local partners. Rather than imposing new requirements, the plan emphasizes voluntary actions, technical support, and partnerships to help utilities and states move projects forward.
A key focus of the updated plan is growing industrial demand, particularly from sectors like data centers, manufacturing, and energy, many of which are expanding across the Southeast. These industries are water-intensive and WRAP 2.0 frames reuse as a way to meet that demand while reducing pressure on freshwater supplies. For utilities, this may create new opportunities to partner with large water users seeking alternative sources, including recycled water and captured stormwater.
The plan also recognizes that inconsistent or evolving state regulations can slow reuse projects. To address this, EPA, and its partners plan to compile state requirements, share best practices, and develop tools to support more consistent permitting approaches. These efforts are intended to provide greater clarity and confidence for utilities exploring reuse strategies.
Overall, WRAP 2.0 points toward a future where water reuse becomes a standard part of water management rather than a niche approach. In the Southeast, where growth and changing weather patterns are reshaping water challenges, stormwater utilities are well positioned to play a larger role—moving beyond managing runoff to capturing and reusing water as part of a more resilient, integrated system.
Please contact Matthew McKenna, NACWA’s Director of Government Affairs, with questions.
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