Data-Driven Insights for Coastal Water Infrastructure Resilience in North Carolina

Abstract

Many towns and cities in North Carolina face growing obstacles in maintaining their stormwater systems. Aging infrastructure, limited budgets, and increasing storm risks challenge local governments to keep systems working and in compliance with environmental regulations (ASCE, 2025; Hunt, 2025; Institute for Emerging Issues, 2024). This study aims to identify how environmental and community factors are linked to stormwater system compliance and whether these risks align with investment prioritization by local leaders. Data were analyzed using interdisciplinary geospatial and statistical methods, including multiple regression and spatial lag modeling, to identify patterns between environmental risks, community characteristics, and stormwater compliance outcomes. The dependent variable captures the average percentage of quarters with stormwater violations from 2023 to 2025, reflecting persistent compliance challenges across counties. Findings revealed that environmental risk factors were not statistically significant predictors of compliance. Instead, urban classification and spatial dependence emerged as the strongest indicators of variation. Interviews with practitioners emphasized decision-making, prioritization, and resource constraints as central factors. Combining data and professional experience, this study offers a more complete understanding of system performance and management-level decision-making in North Carolina’s communities.

Shapefile dataset available at: https://ecu.maps.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=01221a1a7e0d45fc887a5593ce4c00e9