City Services
Stormwater Management
Stormwater Management
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What happens when it rains?
When it rains, water runs across parking lots, roofs, streets, and driveways, picking up pollutants like oil, fertilizers, trash, and other debris. This polluted runoff flows into the City’s storm sewers, and in most cases, directly into our rivers and streams without being treated.
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Why does Milton manage stormwater?
The City of Milton is designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a Small MS4 community (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System). This means we are required to actively manage stormwater to meet federal EPA and WV Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) standards.
Failure to comply with these requirements could result in significant penalties for the City.
Reporting Spills
During business hours (8:00 AM-4:00 PM): Call 304-743-3032
After hours or for large spills:
Call the WVDEP Spill Hotline at
1-800-642-3074
What are the benefits of stormwater management?
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Keeps Milton in compliance with federal and state law
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Improves water quality in our local rivers and streams
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Reduces flooding by better managing runoff
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Protects our community's health and environment
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Is this covered by my sanitation fee?
No. Stormwater management is a separate, federally required program. Funding is needed to:
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Educate the public about stormwater impacts
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Control runoff from construction sites/new developments
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Detect and eliminate illicit discharges (illegal dumping into storm drains)
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Maintain and improve municipal stormwater systems.​
How is the fee calculated?
State law (WV Code 16-13-22) requires all properties in the Milton watershed that discharge stormwater to participate in the stormwater utility. Fees are based on the amount of runoff from each property:
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Residential properties: $4.00 per month
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Non-residential properties: $1.25 per 1,000 sq. ft. of impervious surface (per month)
What is the Milton watershed?
A watershed (or stormwater drainage basin) is the area of land where rainfall and runoff naturally flow downhill into rivers and streams.
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Stormwater in Milton ultimately drains in four directions: north to Mill Creek, south to the Mud River, east to Charley Creek, and west to Saunders Creek.
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Locally, Milton’s stormwater system discharges to nearby streams — including Newmans Branch, Johns Creek, Kilgore Creek, and Indian Fork — which connect to the Mud River watershed.​
Resources
Draft Stormwater Management Plan (2025)​
Questions?
For more information about Milton's stormwater program or watershed, call 304-743-3032.
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