The stormwater utility service area is consistent with the MS4 permit boundary as designated by WV Department of Environmental Protection. The service area includes approximately 10,000 customers within the City of Beckley, Cranberry, Prosperity, Sprague, Raleigh and Dry Hill Road communities.
Since 2007, The BSB’s stormwater utility has been providing stormwater management services in the Beckley urban watershed.
In addition, more proactive management of stormwater infrastructure through routine maintenance and ongoing capital improvement projects help better the performance of storm sewers, in turn protecting resident’s property, health and quality of life.
The BSB stormwater program has been adopting green methods that use natural elements in lieu of pipes, like soil and vegetation to slow runoff and filter out pollutants while replenishing the underground water table. The BSB has installed 19 rain gardens within the City of Beckley, which leads the state in the adoption of green infrastructure.
Stormwater discharges are generated by precipitation and runoff from land, pavements, building rooftops and other surfaces. These hardened surfaces are called ‘impervious surfaces’ and they do not allow rainfall to infiltrate into the soil surface like natural vegetation, so more of the rainfall becomes stormwater runoff. Storm water runoff accumulates pollutants such as oil and grease, chemicals, nutrients, metals, and bacteria as it travels across land.
What is Stormwater?
Stormwater: The flow of water that results from precipitation and which occurs immediately following rainfall or as a result of snowmelt. When a rainfall event occurs, several things can happen to the precipitation. Some of the precipitation infiltrates into the soil surface, some is taken up by plants, and some is evaporated into the atmosphere. Stormwater is the rest of the precipitation that runs off land surfaces and impervious areas.
The BSB stormwater program has been adopting green methods that use natural elements in lieu of pipes, like soil and vegetation to slow runoff and filter out pollutants while replenishing the underground water table. The BSB has installed 19 rain gardens within the City of Beckley, which leads the state in the adoption of green infrastructure.
Stormwater discharges are generated by precipitation and runoff from land, pavements, building rooftops and other surfaces. These hardened surfaces are called ‘impervious surfaces’ and they do not allow rainfall to infiltrate into the soil surface like natural vegetation, so more of the rainfall becomes stormwater runoff. Storm water runoff accumulates pollutants such as oil and grease, chemicals, nutrients, metals, and bacteria as it travels across land.
What is Stormwater?
Stormwater: The flow of water that results from precipitation and which occurs immediately following rainfall or as a result of snowmelt. When a rainfall event occurs, several things can happen to the precipitation. Some of the precipitation infiltrates into the soil surface, some is taken up by plants, and some is evaporated into the atmosphere. Stormwater is the rest of the precipitation that runs off land surfaces and impervious areas.
BSB sponsors and participates in many environmental education initiatives and service projects, including the Piney Creek Watershed Association, Raleigh County Make It Shine, storm drain marking, Sherrie’s Sweep and partnerships with local schools and community organizations
BSB is a leading water pollution control utility in West Virginia. Our long term goal is to improve the health of Cranberry, Whitestick, Little Whitestick, and Piney Creeks.