Issue link: https://townofcary.uberflip.com/i/791958
245 Impacts of Flooding Flooding remains the country's number one disaster and can affect everyone. Cary has taken considerable measures to pro- vide relief from flooding. These measures include ordinances to protect stream buffers and control runoff, as well as the prac- ce of incorpora ng ci zen requests to reduce flooding and improve drainage. An addi onal mechanism to implement these ini a ves would be to incorporate green street concepts into new development and redevelopment projects. Floodplains are important for the natural storage and conveyance of flood- waters. They protect water quality, recharge groundwater reserves, and preserve our local ecosystem. Natural floodplains reduce the severity and frequency of floods. Through Cary's adap ve approach to stormwater management, the role of open space in restoring our natural floodplains and reducing flooding impacts has been iden fied as our most valuable tool for flood mi ga on. Historic changes to Cary's development regula ons have narrowed the allowable development ac v- i es within the floodplain. Iden fying our community's flood hazards and then ac ng to reduce those risks by preserving open space and the natural floodplain, as well as holding new development to a higher standard, will result in a more flood-resilient community. A flood-resilient community can expect faster recovery from flooding events, reduced impacts on property, a reduc on in the financial and physical effects on property owners, and preserva on of the natural beneficial func ons of the floodplain. Sustainable Utilities Resource recovery, conserva on, and nutrient recycling are important features of environmental protec on provided by Cary's u lity programs. This is exhibited through processes and programs that convert waste to usable resources, reduce emis- sions through greater efficiencies and alterna ve energy sources, and use natural and biological agents instead of chemicals whenever possible. Cary's u lity services are na onally recog- nized as examples of both planning for the future and achieving excep onal performance to provide highly treated, clean water back to our natural environment. Waste As the popula on of Cary increases and development transi- ons to a more urban-style community, undertaking innova ve approaches, implemen ng new technologies, and conduc ng strategic planning will be key to maintaining successful and sustainable waste management. Cary con nues to assess the future impacts of growth on services, opera ons, economics and the landfill while engaging in pilots and partnerships to provide opportuni es and insight to evolve waste management tac cs. Cary provides solid waste, yard waste, and recycling pickup services to all single-unit residen al proper es within munici- pal limits, while also serving some mixed-use proper es. Food waste drop-off sites for compos ng are also provided as a service to ci zens. Waste reduc on, compos ng, and recycling are important for reducing demands on waste collec on opera ons, landfill capac- ity, and environmental impact. Coupling educa on efforts with services helps provide awareness and support for par cipa on in proper disposal and diversionary strategies. In a typical year, Cary's residen al recycling and yard waste collec ons divert nearly half of all its waste from the landfill. Through waste char- acteriza on and feasibility studies, Cary can focus its efforts on key opportuni es for addi onal waste diversion. The latest food waste drop-off sites are prime examples of Cary's approach to crea ng such a municipal service model. Innova ve and sustain- able approaches to reducing landfill-bound waste and conver ng other waste to usable resources are important for Cary and the region. Through partnerships, Cary is suppor ng regional efforts to help address the current reali es of ever-changing waste streams, viable material markets, and projected landfill capacity. The North Cary Water Reclama on Facility is designed to remove Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), total nitrogen and phosphorous from its discharge. As a result of trea ng wastewater, biosolids, a recyclable byproduct is produced.