ALBEMARLE COUNTY
WATER AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
The condition of our natural environment influences our health, economic prosperity, and quality of life. In truth, clean water and healthy stream buffers are as important to people as they are to fish or frogs. The fundamental goal of the environmental team is to protect the County's natural capital so that we may pass it on to future generations. This is done through the implementation of programs that manage surface and groundwater, protect and restore stream corridors, and generally preserve the integrity of our natural environment
To get a sense of the types of activities and programs with which we are involved, check out our water resources photo gallery.
What's Happening
County submits new 5-year Stormwater Program Plan
New: First Year Report for Program Plan
Albemarle County is one of several local entities responsible for implementing a municipal stormwater program under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System administered by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Our first 5-year permit cycle ended last year and we recently submitted a revised program plan for the second 5-year cycle ending in 2013.The program describes how the County intends to meet specific requirements in six categories called Minimum Control Measures (MCM):
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public education and outreach
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public involvement and participation
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illicit discharge detection and elimination
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construction site stormwater runoff control
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post-construction stormwater management in new development and redevelopment
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pollution prevention / good housekeeping
The program plan is also listed on our Additional Resources page.
Staff contact: Greg Harper
Stormwater Education Hits the Silver Screen
As part of an ongoing effort to reduce peoples’ contributions to stream pollution, the Rivanna Regional Stormwater Education Partnership has gone Hollywood. During the summers of 2008 and 2009, the partnership placed some ads in movie theaters -- the still ads which precede the conventional ads which precede the trailers which precede the actual movie. Had you been there, you would have seen three eye-catching educational ads depicting usual activities -- caring for your lawn, washing your car, and taking your pet out for a bathroom break -- being done in an unusual place: on the water surface of a river or lake. The take-home message of the ads is that -- because driveways and streets are often connected through pipes directly to streams -- whatever you do on the land ... you (effectively) do on the water.
These in-theater ads were done as a pilot educational initiative to complement our other ongoing initiatives which include print ads, radio spots, workshops, K-12 outreach, and industry-specific initiatives. Look for them again in Charlottesville Regal Cinema theaters this summer.
Please visit this website for more information about the education partnership.
Click on the following to view all the ads:
Visit the County Office Property to Explore Multiple Stormwater Demonstration Projects
With the recent construction of a raingarden (see below), the County's office property at McIntire Road is overflowing with features that serve to protect water resources. These features include:
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greenroof - vegetated soil layer traps and uses rainfall; runoff is reduced; also provides thermal insulation and protects roof
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rain tank - currently used to collect runoff data from greenroof; water can be used
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rain garden - a vegetated hollow that captures and stores runoff for infiltration and use by vegetation
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rain barrel - collects and stores runoff from roof tops for subsequent use
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pervious pavers - an alternative to pavement; rainfall is stored within spaces and then soaks into the ground
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stormvault - an underground structure that removes pollutants from runoff
Stormwater Demonstration Projects 
(2,642 KB) - This brochure describes the purpose and details of the features in more detail. Print out the brochure (which also includes a map) to facilitate a self-guided tour.
Staff contact: Greg Harper
New Raingarden at County Office Building
With the help of the Rivanna Regional Stormwater Education Partnership and local citizens, County staff recently completed the construction of a small raingarden. The raingarden benefits a nearby stream (Schenk's Branch) by capturing rainfall runoff from the roof of an out-building - allowing this runoff to be used by planted vegetation or infiltrate into the ground. Pollutants and excess runoff is kept out of the stream.
For additional information including a photo log of the construction process, visit the RRSEP website.
Staff contact: Greg Harper
Adopted Water Protection Ordinance Amendment
On February 14, 2007, the Board of Supervisors passed an amendment to the Water Protection Ordinance that prohibits the discharging or dumping of non-stormwater pollutants into the storm drainage system or natural streams. This amendment is part of a comprehensive effort to keep the area's streams healthy. Non-stormwater pollutants - such as pet wastes, cleaning chemicals, food scraps, trash, and vehicle fluids - can be a major source of pollutants in streams. Many people don't realize that storm drains and pipes are often directly connected to streams - and do not pass through a water treatment plant.
For more information, see the executive summary and adopted text amendments.
Staff contact: Greg Harper
Presentations on various Water Issues
On May 17, 2006, environmental staff from Albemarle County and the Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District presented several seminars on topics related to water resource protection, including:
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stream buffers and water quality
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basics of groundwater
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maintaining stormwater management facilities
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rain, runoff, and your backyard
These presentations are offered for download here.
Guidance Manuals
Water Resources staff have developed three short brochures to enhance the public's understanding of water resources topics:
Stormwater Matters (3,135 KB) - Helps owners of stormwater management facilities (such as detention ponds) understand their responsibility in properly maintaining these facilities. Staff contact: Greg Harper
Groundwater Matters (634 KB) - A guide to help County homeowners understand and protect their well water. Staff contact: Greg Harper
Stream Buffers and Water Quality (1,065 KB) - A property owner's guide to manage riparian buffers and protect water resources. Staff contact: Gregor Patsch
Green Roof on downtown County building
The Albemarle County Office Building on McIntire Road features the area's first "green roof" - a roof vegetated with low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plants. The project is funded through a grant from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Chesapeake Bay Program. Its purpose is to showcase an evolving urban technology which results in improvements to water quality and reductions in stormwater discharge. Construction of this project was completed in July 2005.
Click HERE for more detailed Green Roof information.
Staff contact: Gregor Patsch
Major Environmental Programs
Stream Buffer Protection
A buffer is an area of vegetation next to a stream, reservoir, wetland, or pond that is managed and protected. A healthy buffer consists of trees, shrubs, and ground cover that:
- slows down and filters stormwater runoff to protect water quality
- prevents erosion
- provides shade and habitat for fish and other aquatic life
Albemarle County's Water Protection Ordinance requires that buffers be preserved or established along certain water resources and limits the activities that can occur within those buffers. Generally, a buffer width of 100 feet is required adjacent to streams, ponds and wetlands and a buffer width of 200 feet is required adjacent to public water supply reservoirs. Within all buffers, building, grading, and other development activities are restricted. More...
Stormwater Management
For many years the County has implemented a program which requires developers, when constructing commercial or residential developments, to capture and manage stormwater runoff before it leaves their property. This practice lessons the impact of development on downstream water resources and properties by reducing the intensity of flows and the concentration of pollutants in runoff. More...
Regional Stormwater Education Website
Stormwater Matters (3,135 KB) - An owners manual for stormwater management facilities
The Environmental Staff
The County's water resources and other natural resources programs are implemented by many environmental professionals. Each has the lead role for a different aspect of the natural environment. All can be reached through the phone numbers or email links below.
If you have regulatory questions (development requirements, erosion control), please visit the Zoning and Current Development Division of the Department of Community Development.
Greg Harper - Water Resources Manager - (434) 296-5832 x3410
Responsible for implementing the water resources capital improvement program (CIP), administration of various stormwater management programs, integrated water resources planning, and watershed master planning.
Repp Glaettli - Stormwater Inspector - (434) 296-5816 x3424
Responsible for implementing a stormwater management facilities inspection and reporting program, responding to citizen inquiries regarding water resources issues, and stormwater education.
Gregor Patsch - Water Resources Engineer - (434) 296-5816 x7914
Responsible for the planning, design, and implementation of water resource-related capital projects, including watershed and stream restoration, and the response and resolution of drainage issues.
(vacant) - Groundwater Manager - (434) 296-5832 x3414
Responsible for the administration and review of the Groundwater Ordinance, maintaining related database information, establishing a County groundwater well monitoring network, and oversight of related groundwater and watershed programs and questions.
(vacant) - Natural Resources Manager - (434) 296-5832 x3264
Responsible for integrating natural resources issues with long range planning and current project development, such as stream buffer protection and mitigation, hazardous materials issues, and watershed management.
Additional staff contacts for various water-related issues.
Partners
The County works collaboratively with a number of other agencies and organizations to protect our natural resources. Follow the links to the websites of our local partners.
City of Charlottesville
Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority
Thomas Jefferson Regional Planning Commission
Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District
The Nature Conservancy
StreamWatch
Rivanna Regional Stormwater Education Partnership
Additional Resources
Technical and policy papers and links to outside sources of regional water resources data.
