Stormwater Frequently Asked Questions
Stormwater is any precipitation (rain, sleet, snow) that falls on the ground. Untreated stormwater is carried away from roads and parking lots through ditches, storm drains, and pipes where it empties into nearby waterways. Stormwater can pick up pollutants (vehicle fluids oil, fertilizer, yard products, pet waste, litter, etc.) along the way and carry them into rivers, creeks, lakes and streams. In unincorporated Jefferson County, the annual $5 stormwater fee that is collected with your residential property tax is applied toward implementing a federally mandated program to prevent pollutants carried by stormwater from entering nearby waterways.
If you see something, report it. If you live in unincorporated Jefferson County, call the Pollution Prevention Hotline at 205-325-5792. If you live within city limits, contact your city’s stormwater program.
If you live in unincorporated Jefferson County, call 205-582-6555 to report illegal dumping and littering. If you live within city limits, contact your city’s law enforcement or public works department.
The following free resources are available for unincorporated Jefferson County communities. Call 205-325-8741 for more information. If you live within city limits, contact your city’s stormwater program.
- Consider organizing and participating in a volunteer litter roadside cleanup. Jefferson County Commission provides free trash bags, gloves, flyers, pickup and proper disposal of collected materials from a designated area, and traffic control support from the Sheriff’s Office for unincorporated Jefferson County communities.
- Invite Stormwater staff to come talk or give a presentation to your community, civic or faith based group.
Generally, if stormwater is draining from private property onto your property, Jefferson County cannot become involved in determining who is at fault or in resolving the issue. Any resolution must be made between the parties involved. If the stormwater is draining from the right of way, contact your city’s public works department. If you live in unincorporated Jefferson County, call 205-325-5232.
Jefferson County Commission hosts annual events in partnership with other cities. If you live in unincorporated Jefferson County, call 205-325-8741 for dates and locations.
There is no mandatory curbside trash service in unincorporated areas of Jefferson County, but there is service available. To obtain service in unincorporated Jefferson County, add to your service, or report a problem with your service, call Advanced Disposal at 205-640-7000. If you live within city limits, contact your city’s solid waste department.
If you live in unincorporated Jefferson County, call 205-325-5321. If you live within city limits, contact your city’s zoning department.
If you live in unincorporated Jefferson County, call 205-325-5232. If you live within city limits, contact your city’s public works department.
If you live in unincorporated Jefferson County, call 205-325-5232. If you live within city limits, contact your city’s public works department.
If you live in unincorporated Jefferson County, call 325-5232. If you live within city limits, contact your city’s public works department or broken storm drain lid .
Call 205-942-0681 to report an overflow or other sewer line emergency.
Please visit alabamaflood.com and search by address or call Jeff Gunter at 205-325-5431 (ext: 5361) to get a Flood Certification Letter. The Flood Certification Letter is a $10.00 charge.
A Floodplain Development Permit will need to be filled out by a Land Surveyor or Professional Engineer and turned in to our department if floodplain is anywhere on the parcel. We will then do a review to see if what is proposed meets our Floodplain Management Ordinance requirements.
We cannot make any recommendations but just make sure that the Surveyor or Engineer is licensed by the state of Alabama. The Yellow Pages is a good place to look for Land Surveyors or Civil Engineers.
Click here for plans review checklist. This checklist lists the minimum items that need to be included in the plan set for us to take them in for review.
It all depends on the type of project. The review times vary from 2 weeks to 4 weeks. Comments will then be sent to the engineer/developer which could lead to another set of reviews.
Normally yes, if it is applied correctly. Seed and hay may not be enough to stabilize sloped bare soil. Mulch is an option, as well as erosion control blankets.
Silt fence should be trenched 6 inches into the ground and then back-filled with compacted earth over the trenched flap. The posts (wooden or metal) should be placed along the downward side of the slope to provide strength against stormwater runoff.
Inspectors verify a proper construction entrance/exit pad is in place. The inspector will assess if a trash container is located onsite. The inspector will verify the Best Management Practices (BMPs) are in place according to the proposed plot plan (i.e. silt fence, hay bales, wattles, inlet protection, etc.) and whether the BMPs are performing correctly or require maintenance.
Sooner is better, especially if sediment is damaging creeks, roadways, or adjacent property. The Ordinance allows for 10 days.
Grass seed is the first step in establishing vegetation. The hay acts as a protector against the energy of rain drops and helps prevent the grass seeds from being carried away.
