Storm Water Operations is responsible for maintenance, daily functions and management of Norfolk's city-owned stormwater systems.

• BMP Maintenance: The Division maintains stormwater best management practices (BMPs) such as wet ponds, dry ponds, infiltration trenches, etc. on properties that drain water from City Right-of-Ways. Maintenance includes cleaning and repairing structures, cutting vegetation, dredging, etc.
• Ditch Maintenance: The Division maintains non-tidal City-owned road side and off road ditches by ensuring the flow line is clear by removing trash and overgrown vegetation. Ditches may also need to be regraded to ensure proper drainage. 
• Structure Repair and Maintenance: The Division performs routine maintenance and cleaning of the stormwater system that is comprised of underground pipes, drop inlets, and catch basins. During structural failure, staff will make necessary repairs
• Storm Water Pump Station Maintenance: The Division maintains 10 pump stations throughout the City to reduce flooding in low lying areas such as underpasses. Daily inspections and routine maintenance is performed on the pump stations. The Department of Public Works continuously performs major maintenance on these systems each year by replacing pumps, rehabilitating the stations, and upgrading electrical systems.
• Floodwall & Gates Maintenance and Operations: The downtown floodwall is 1644 ft long with the gates opened and 1801 feet long with the gates closed. The floodwall and gates work in conjunction with one of our pump stations to protect Norfolk's downtown area from tidal and precipitation events.
• Street Sweeping: The City of Norfolk has the most extensive street sweeping program in the region. We currently sweep all streets in the City, with curb and gutters, once per month. Downtown Norfolk is swept on a daily basis. Other cities in the region only sweep their streets once or twice a year, and even then it usually is only major roadways.
• Lot Cleaning: Illegal dumping on City-owned property is prevalent in the City. The Division maintains crews to clean illegal dumping on city vacant lots, city right-of-way, dead ends, and underpasses.
• Grocery Cart Collection: The Division is responsible for removing abandoned shopping carts throughout the City.

Private property owners are responsible for performing maintenance on their stormwater management facilities. For more information on how to maintain your stormwater management facility please see Stormwater Management: BMPs. 

Other Storm Water Services

• Capital Improvement Projects: The Division plans, design and constructs major flood reduction and water quality improvement capital projects.
• Construction Inspection: Regulates and minimizes stormwater runoff from public and private construction sites by providing specialized oversight during the installation of stormwater infrastructure. Inspectors examine tie-ins from private property into the city stormwater system, retention ponds, filterras, and many other treatment measures for compliance with the approved site plan.
• Environmental Investigation & Enforcement: Staff investigates and prosecutes potential crimes that threaten the natural environment. Chemical spills are investigated and cleaned.
• Engineering: Engineering is responsible for planning, designing, and building water quality and water quantity projects city-wide. View Storm Water's project process flow chart.
• Fill Permits: Fill permits are required when filling or grading any areas within the City through the Public Works Department. To review the specific City codes regarding fill permits visit Norfolk's Municode site.
• Geographic Information System: GIS staff gather, manage, and analyze stormwater infrastructure data.
• Miss Utility Markings: Utility operators maintain the underground pipes that serve the city by marking any underground line that is directly in the way of construction, or even near it. Part of their maintenance program is to mark their lines whenever someone places a “notice” or “ticket” with the Virginia 811 center.
• Site Plan Review: Responsible for review-and-approval of site plans submitted to the Department of Planning when land disturbance exceeds 2,500 square feet or impacts are made to public infrastructure related to stormwater management. 
• Education & Outreach: Outreach programs are essential to change behavior to prevent pollution and reduce flooding. Outreach includes civic meetings, school education programs, website updates, brochure development, and social media postings.
•  Administrative & Billing