Be the solution to stormwater pollution!

Stormwater management is critical to protecting our raw water resources and public safety. For this reason, Morgantown Utility Board has been tasked with area stormwater management via the City of Morgantown Article 929. To assist in meeting this responsibility, a stormwater fee is applied to area residents. The rate schedules can be found in Sec. 929.05. - Flat rate charges and Sec. 929.06. - Charges based on land area.

Below is a variety of stormwater related information for residents, businesses, and developers alike. If you have questions or would like a stormwater presentation please let is know by emailing stormwater@mub.org.

What happens when it rains?

A good place to start is with an understanding of impervious surfaces. These are primarily manmade structures like parking areas, roads, sidewalks, the roof of homes and businesses, etc. These surfaces absorb very little (if any at all) rainfall and snow/ice melt so that almost all of the water flowing from them enters our stormwater system.

More previous surfaces (grass, mulch, dirt, gravel) absorb water, thus decreasing the amount of water flowing from them. This is important to keep in mind for two reasons.

First, impervious surfaces require greater stormwater infrastructure to manage flows. Fewer pervious surfaces reguire greater stormwater capacites.


Second, as water runs off surfaces it collects and carries various materials and liquids to the stormwater system. As mentioned, the amount of water that flows off these surfaces depends on the pervious nature of the surface itself (think grass versus a parking lot). As water flows increase so does the amount of material conveyed to the system.

When solids and liquids enter our stormwater system, these contaminants are washed into local rivers and streams. In Morgantown, this includes the Monongahela River, Deckers Creek and Cobun Creek. Examples of contaminants include—

  • Litter
  • Automotive liquids such as oils and antifreezes
  • Soaps and other items used outside (i.e., washing house siding, washing a car)
  • Gravel
  • Soils
  • Grass clippings
  • Pet waste
  • Plant fertilizers
  • Plant and weed killers
  • Household hazardous wastes that are poured into storm drains
  • And countless other items

Depending on the location in Morgantown, some of this material is conveyed to our wastewater treatment plant in Star City while some is released directly into local waterways. However, and this is an important however, even if household hazardous wastes are poured down internal drains of a home or business (which should never be done) it can still be conveyed directly to local waters completely untreated. This is because portions of Morgantown's stormwater system combines with the sanitary sewer system. Therefore, during times of wet weather, the flows can exceed the capacity of the sanitary sewer system and be released through Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs). Any material in the sewer system at that time can be discharged directly into local wateways untreated. Please visit our CSO site here to learn more about these structures.

To see how stormwater impacts you and what you can do to impact stormwater, we offer the below links. If you have questions give us a call at (304) 292-8443 or email us at stormwater@mub.org.

Be the solution to water pollution!

Begin by reviewing these tips on how to spot water pollution and when to contact MUB! Remember, if you see something, call (304) 292-8443 or email stormwater@mub.org.

Stormwater information

Below are resources for the general public to help protect our stormwater.

Engineers, Contractors, Developers, and Businesses

If you have questions or need further assistance please let us know by emailing stormwater@mub.org or by calling Ken Hacker at 304.292.8443.

Combined Sewer Overflows

All Morgantown residents should familiarize themselves with our combined sewer system. To learn more please follow this link.