Water Quality

With roughly 50 inches of rain each year, the City proactively manages runoff from rain events through drainage networks that convey the stormwater into streams, creeks and ponds.

To get a better understanding of what the Stormwater Department oversees and manages, please read the Dunwoody Stormwater Extent of Service document.

Using American Rescue Plan funding, the City of Dunwoody recently added a part-time project manager to the Stormwater Department to accelerate the replacement of aging stormwater pipes. The city spends more than $1 million annually replacing or lining failing stormwater pipes connected to the public right-of-way. Nearly all the failing pipes are corrugated metal pipes that have rusted out due to their age. The pipes were designed to have a service life of 30 to 40 years, and many of the pipes in Dunwoody were installed more than 30 years ago. The city has identified four miles of pipe within the public right-of-way that has not yet failed but will likely require rehabilitation in the next five to ten years based on age and condition rating. Since 2009, repairs have been made to 6.4 miles of pipe in Dunwoody. As of February 2023, 836 feet of additional stormwater pipe lining had been completed using ARPA funds.

Click to learn more about trenchless technology known as the Cured-In-Place Pipe method.

Compliance with State Regulations

Among its other responsibilities, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) Watershed Protection Branch (WPB) oversees the permitting of municipally-operated stormwater systems that discharge to State Waters. The City of Dunwoody is permitted under the EPD’s General NPDES Permit for Phase II MS4’s. As part of the permit requirements, the City has a Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) that details all activities performed by the City annually to remain compliant under the permit.

One requirement of the permit is to develop an Impaired Waters Plan (IWP) that addresses any streams classified as “impaired” within the municipal boundaries of the permittee. A stream is considered impaired and is put on the 303(d) list when appropriate sampling data shows that a pollutant of concern is consistently above the allowable levels set by the State.

The 2022 list of 303(d) streams was approved by the EPA on April 22, 2022. The list indicates two streams within the City of Dunwoody are impaired: Marsh Creek and Nancy Creek. Both streams are monitored by the City for the pollutant causing the impairment.

Improving Water Quality

As stormwater flows over the ground, it picks up and carries pollutants (like oil, lawn fertilizers and litter) to streams, creeks and ponds.

While the City works hard to keep pollutants out of local streams, the public can make all the difference when it comes to supporting the health of water resources within the community.

How you can help:

Don’t Dump Anything Down Storm Drains (and report suspected polluting activities to the city)
Clean up after Your Pet
Don’t Pour Fats, Oils or Grease Down the Drain
Try Recycling and Throw Litter in its Place
Install a Low-Flow Toilet
Do a Household Water Audit
Create a Rain Garden
Try Composting and Limit Fertilizers and Pesticides
Recycle Your Motor Oil
Inspect Your Septic Tank

Dunwoody's Local Streams

The City of Dunwoody is located in the Upper Chattahoochee Watershed and has 9 individual drainage basins. Make your own maps of Dunwoody

Dunwoody Drainage Basins