​Have you or a neighbor been experiencing flooding on your daily commute?
Have you seen discoloration in the creek, or pollution entering the storm drain on your street?

You can report your concerns by submitting your observation to
the City of Durham or ECWA following the information below. 

Interested in becoming a Creek Watcher in 2022?
 RSVP is open now!

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Example of urban flooding in Durham during a rain storm that flooded the street and threatened residents homes. Flooding events like these sre not in flood prone areas near a waterway, but a result of infrastructure that does not drain water quickly enough to keep up with the water volume. 

Example of illicit discharge (i.e. pollution) that was increased cloudiness (or turbidity) from one stream into another at Pearl Mill Preserve. Increase turbidity is often caused by construction runoff or illegal dumping. 

Interested in planning a trash clean-up? We recommend looking our upcoming events and connecting with our partners Keep Durham Beautiful. 

Need help reporting illegal solid waste dumping? 

• To learn more about the codes enforced by the division, click here.
• To report a violation, contact the Solid Waste Operations Supervisor via email or phone at 919-560-0437.

Submit your observations of flooding and pollution in Ellerbe and Goose Creek. See the City of Durham Stormwater Contacts below.

Report flooding/private drainage system problems at your home by call Stormwater Services

• Call Stormwater Services at 919-560-4326, ext. 30234, or email the drainage team for more information and guidance.
• Download the Durham One Call app to your phone and submit an observation (be sure to attach a photo!). Here is a helpful instructional guide.  

​Report pollution (“illicit discharge”), water quality and/or illegal dumping to surface waters, like creeks, ditches, stormwater drains and pipes to Durham Stormwater Services. It is ok to report in more than one way! 

• Submit a report on Durham's online form (ECWA recommends this approach!) 
• Call the Stormwater Hotline at 919-560-SWIM (7946) 
• Email StormwaterQuality@durhamnc.gov

Reporting sewer overflows or blockages are handled by the Department of Water Management, and Stormwater Services.

• Call 919-560-4344, or 
• Durham One Call 919-560-1200

Reporting stormwater drain maintenance

• Use the Durham One Call App: Submit a requests to stormwater management and select ditch maintenance. We also recommend in the adopt a drain program. 

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​Erosion and sediment problems with construction sites that are a possible violation of sediment and erosion control laws.

• Call Durham County Stormwater and Erosion Control at 919-560-0735

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Do you have questions or need additional support? Please email us at creekwatchers@ellerbecreek.org

​Videos about Pollution Detection and Elimination

• City of Charlotte’s Water Watchers program
• Massachusetts explains in more detail the laws behind IDDE programs, what an illicit discharge is and is not.
• New Mexico DOT guidebook on illicit discharges

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