Stormwater Education & Resources

The Town of Harrisburg is a member of the Regional Stormwater Partnership of the Carolinas (RSPC).


Difference Between Wastewater & Stormwater

Wastewater is water that was used and flows from sinks, toilets, washing machines, etc. Stormwater is just rain. 

Sanitary Sewer System

  • Water here is treated at a wastewater treatment plant.
  • The water in this system comes from sinks, toilets, showers, washing machines, etc.
  • This system is made up of a complicated system of pipes that all lead to a wastewater treatment plant. Water is treated through a complicated process before being released back into the creeks.

Stormwater Drainage System

  • Water in this system drains directly to creeks and lakes and is never treated.
  • Water here should only come from the clouds as rain.
  • This system is made up of man-made storm drains, pipes and ditches and natural streams and creeks.
  • It is illegal to dump anything down storm drains in Harrisburg!

Where It Goes

When you wash your clothes or take a bath the water that goes down the drain flows through a complicated system of pipes to the wastewater treatment plant. This is called the sanitary sewer system. The same is not true for the storm drains. In Harrisburg, all storm drains flow directly to our creeks and lakes through the storm water drainage system.

Stormwater Drainage System

The stormwater drainage system consists of pipes, roadside ditches, backyard streams, under-road culverts, storm drains and large flowing creeks. Stormwater enters the system through grates along roadsides and in yards or by running off directly to creeks, ponds or lakes. As it flows through the drainage system, storm water can pick up anything in its path including: oil, dirt litter, leaves, etc. Unfortunately, all this storm water pollution ends up in our creeks and lakes.

The stormwater drainage system and sanitary sewer system usually work well to carry away the different types of water. The problem comes when pollution ends up in the storm water drainage system and not in the sanitary sewer system.

Some municipalities have connected systems. It would be very expensive to connect the systems in our highly urbanized community and build many more treatment plants. During big storms, treatment plants would not be able to handle floodwaters.

Three stormwater drainage pipe below groundWhy Have a Drainage System

Most of our stormwater drainage system in made up of natural creeks and streams. People have added man-made drainage to help convey storm water when it rains. Its primary function is to reduce flooding, but also to direct streams under roads.

Additional Information

In Harrisburg, the sanitary sewer and the drinking water supply are managed by the Public Works Department. For more information regarding the storm drain system including blockages, flooding and service requests, call customer service 704-455-5614.