Stormwater Improvement Plan

Last Updated: October 18, 2024

Harrisonburg's Stormwater Improvement Plan (SWIP) is intended to be a long-range visionary plan that incorporates the City's stormwater needs to achieve regulatory compliance. Originally developed in 2017 to identify projects that could help the City meet water quality targets for 2023, the 2024 update aims to chart a course toward achieving goals for 2028 while developing localized actions plans.  The update also includes input from our community on improving the City's stormwater programs to look at stormwater concerns beyond just water quality.

Stormwater Improvement Plan Public Meeting - Tuesday, October 29, 2024 Stormwater Improvement Plan Public Meeting - Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Join us for our Harrisonburg Stormwater Improvement Plan (SWIP) Public Meeting on Tuesday, October 29 at the Lucy F. Simms Continuing Education Center, 620 Simms Avenue, Harrisonburg. There will be two opportunities to attend, one beginning at 5:00pm and the second beginning at 6:00pm. 

This meeting is the next step in outreach efforts relating to stormwater in Harrisonburg and the Stormwater Improvement Plan that have taken place in the past year. At either session, you will learn about current stormwater conditions and plans for the future, review information gathered from the recent public survey and the past May open house event, hear about preliminary SWIP results and potential stormwater treatment locations, and have the opportunity to ask questions! Interpretation services are available. Call 540-434-5928 or email stormwater@harrisonburgva.gov to request interpretation services. 

SWIP Public Meeting Flyer

Past 2024 SWIP Efforts

The City hosted an open house event on May 7, 2024 to learn from the community's experiences and to better inform the Plan and its priorities. The morning session of the open house took place at the City Hall Council Chambers from 10:30am - 12:30pm and the evening session took place at the Pleasant View Inc. Day Program Building from 4:00pm - 6:00pm.

News Release: Public Invited to Stormwater Improvement Plan Open House PDF Icon [418KB]

Open House Visual Aids

Stormwater Improvement Plan Survey

The City recently conducted a Stormwater Improvement Plan Survey seeking valuable insights to shape the future of the stormwater program and address the effects of runoff on local waterways. Information collected through the Stormwater Improvement Plan Survey will play a crucial role in updating Harrisonburg's Stormwater Improvement Plan, which serves as the City's guiding framework for strategizing efforts to meet water quality targets. The survey was available in eight languages. Survey participants were asked about their experiences with flooding around their homes and neighborhoods, in addition to having the opportunity to provide feedback on potential stormwater improvement project locations, prioritize initiatives and address concerns related to water quality, water quantity and climate change impacts.

The survey closed April 14. Questions about the survey may be directed to stormwater@harrisonburgva.gov or call 540-434-5928. 

Survey Results & Resources 

Open House Visual Aids

Past Efforts

2017 Stormwater Improvement Plan 

The City initiated this SWIP to improve water quality in local waterways and to chart a strategy for the City to comply with state and federal regulations that require the City to manage stormwater pollution entering Blacks Run and the greater Chesapeake Bay watershed. The main objective of the SWIP is to identify capital improvement (construction) projects, programs, and ways to engage Harrisonburg’s citizens to manage stormwater and improve water quality. Another objective of the SWIP is to pursue the above strategies in a cost-effective manner and in coordination with other City initiatives.

2017 City of Harrisonburg SWIP Report Final PDF Icon [8MB]

Public Meeting #1 - March 22, 2017

Public Meeting #2 - October 18, 2017