Non-Point Source Pollution Program: Resources

Census figures for 2000 and 2010 did not include the number of households using septic systems. However, as of 1990, nearly 50% of North Carolinians used septic tank systems.

North Carolina Watersheds Map

This map illustrates the boundaries of the 17 watersheds in NC.

County Stats and Watershed Maps

Check the density of onsite systems or system statistics by county as of 1990, and download individual river basin maps.

• Broad River Basin:
  • Septic Systems in Broad River Basin (PDF)
  • Broad River Basin Map (JPG)
• Catawba River Basin:
  • Septic Systems in Catawba River Basin (PDF)
  • Catawba River Basin Map (JPG)
• Cape Fear River Basin:
  • Septic Systems in Cape Fear River Basin (PDF) 
  • Cape Fear River Basin Map (JPG)
• Chowan River Basin:
  • Septic Systems in Chowan River Basin (PDF) 
  • Chowan River Basin Map (JPG)
• French Broad River Basin
  • Septic Systems in French Broad River Basin (PDF) 
  • French Broad River Basin Map (JPG)
• Hiwassee River Basin
  • Septic Systems in Hiwassee River Basin (PDF) 
  • Hiwassee River Basin Map (JPG)
• Little Tennessee River Basin
  • Septic Systems in Little Tennessee River Basin (PDF) 
  • Little Tennessee River Basin Map (JPG)
• Lumber River Basin:
  • Septic Systems in Lumber River Basin (PDF) 
  • Lumber River Basin Map (JPG)
• Neuse River Basin:
  • Septic Systems in Neuse River Basin (PDF) 
  • Neuse River Basin Map (JPG)
• New River Basin:
  • Septic Systems in New River Basin (PDF) 
  • New River Basin Map (PDF)
• Pasquotank River Basin:
  • Septic Systems in Pasquotank River Basin (PDF) 
  • Pasquotank River Basin Map (JPG)
• Roanoke River Basin:
  • Septic Systems in Roanoke River Basin (PDF) 
  • Roanoke River Basin Map (JPG)
• Savannah River Basin:
  • Septic Systems in Savannah River Basin (PDF) 
  • Savannah River Basin Map (JPG)
• Tar-Pamlico River Basin:
  • Septic Systems in Tar-Pamlico River Basin (PDF) 
  • Tar-Pamlico River Basin Map (JPG)
• Watauga River Basin:
  • Septic Systems in Watauga River Basin (PDF) 
  • Watauga River Basin Map (JPG)
• White Oak River Basin:
  • Septic Systems in White Oak River Basin (PDF) 
  • White Oak River Basin Map (JPG)
• Yadkin/Pee Dee River Basin:
  • Septic Systems in Yadkin/Pee Dee River Basin (PDF) 
  • Yadkin/Pee Dee River Basin Map (JPG)

• Literature Review: Constituents, Indicators and Construction Characteristics
• Pathogen Reduction: Fixed Biofilm Wastewater Treatment (PDF)
• Agent Training:  Basics of Onsite Wastewater for Public Outreach
• Annotated Bibliography: Softeners and Septic Systems
• Answering Homeowner Questions About Septic Systems
• Decentralized Wastewater Cost Estimation Factsheets
• Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Glossary
• History of Onsite Wastewater in N.C. (PDF)
• Installation BMPs Checklists
• NC Low Impact Development Guidebook
• O&M BMPs Checklists
• Point of Sale Inspection (NC) BMPs Checklists
• Troubleshooting BMPs Checklists

• DWQ Basinwide Planning Unit
• N.C. Division of Coastal Management
• N.C. Cooperative Extension
• N.C. Non-Point Source Management Program
• NCSU Soil Science Department
  • Departmental Publications – Fact Sheets
• NCSU Water Quality

• Consortium of Institutes for Decentralized Wastewater Treatment (CIDWT)
• Federal Funding Sources for Small Community Wastewater Systems (EPA)
• Homeowner Guide to Septic Systems, Spanish version (EPA)
• National Environmental Services Center (NESC)
• Non-point Source News-Notes (EPA)
• Septic (Onsite/Decentralized) Systems (EPA)
• Virginia Department of Health
• Water Environment and Reuse Foundation (WERF)