Stormwater Video Series
August is here and with it, the extreme heat and storms that we have all come to expect as part of North Carolina summers.  While extreme temperatures and flashy rain storms create challenges for summer gardens and landscaping, they also present a great opportunity to rethink your landscaping and install practices that maximize rainwater benefits. Green Stormwater Infrastructure, or GSI, refers to practices that mimic nature by capturing and slowing runoff from rainfall events. GSI can take many different forms, many of which can be installed in your own backyard. 

Learn about rain gardens, rainwater harvesting, and native landscaping by watching the Town of Cary's Rain It In Video Series. This video series is a great resource for residents seeking strategies to address drainage and erosion issues while beautifying their landscape and improving water quality.
Algal Blooms
If you like spending time in nature and enjoy fishing at your favorite lake during the summer and early fall, you may notice an unusual discoloration on the surface of the water. Increasing temperatures combined with sunlight and nutrients that run off the surrounding landscape can combine to form this surface – known as algal blooms.

These blooms form from naturally occurring blue green algae, but under the right conditions, they can potentially produce harmful toxins that pose a health concern to humans and animals. Below are a few common questions and answers that will help keep you and your loved ones safe:

How do I know if it is a harmful algal bloom?
  • Algal blooms are often identified by discolored water: bright green, blue, brown, red or a milky paint color on the water surface. The only way to confirm that an algal bloom is harmful is through laboratory testing. 

What should I do if I suspect a harmful algal bloom is present in the water?
  • If you notice brightly colored or discolored water, you and your pets should avoid contact with the water. NC Division of Health and Human Resources (NCDHHS) advises, “When in doubt, stay out!”

Who should I contact if I suspect a harmful algal bloom?

For additional information on algal blooms, visit the following websites:



Remember, when in doubt, stay out!
Septic Online Reporting Form
In May 2022, Wake County Environmental Services received national recognition from the National Association of Counties (NACo) for its online septic system reporting form.  Wake County’s Water Quality Division implemented an online form in June 2021 to facilitate public reporting of septic system malfunctions. The online form allows residents to submit septic complaints and repair requests 24 hours a day. Once information is received, the request is directly entered into the county permitting system to notify technical staff to call or visit the site. This process improvement facilitated a 50% reduction in staff response time. The development of a webform not only improves customer service by reducing processing time, it also helps protect public health and natural resources by reducing potential exposure to harmful bacteria. For additional information on septic maintenance and repairs, as well as a link to the online reporting form, visit: Septic Maintenance and Repairs.