About Nupona Stormwater
Stewards of Stormwater.
Delivering Accountability.
Stormwater compliance protects property, infrastructure, and the land beyond it. Property owners and communities deserve a qualified partner they can trust.
"Stormwater does not stop at the property line. Its impact extends into neighboring properties, communities, and watersheds. Nupona was built to help property owners manage that responsibility with practical inspections, clear documentation, and engineering accountability."
Nupona Stormwater — Freeman Engineering PLLCWhy Nupona Exists
Most commercial property owners and HOA boards do not think about stormwater until a problem forces the conversation. By then, the cost in repairs, regulatory fines, and site damage can escalate quickly. Nupona was built to change that.
Nupona is a PE-licensed stormwater engineering firm serving North Carolina and South Carolina. We perform compliance inspections with engineering oversight and provide clear documentation aligned with stormwater program requirements.
We bring engineering judgment to every site visit, helping property owners evaluate system condition, prioritize maintenance, and manage compliance risk before deficiencies escalate.
Stormwater Engineering
NC & SC
The Story Behind Our Name
In the Algonquian language tradition of the founder's Lumbee heritage, two words shape the meaning behind the name Nupona.
Nupuy
Water
From the Algonquian tradition, "Nupuy" represents water, the element at the center of every stormwater system. Every SCM exists to manage it, protect it, and return it cleanly to the land.
Menatona
One Who Listens Well
The quality that defines this firm's approach: listening to the site, to the conditions, to the client's needs. Engineering solutions begin with understanding.
Nupuy + Menatona = Nupona
"One who listens well to the water." That is how we approach every site.
The Hawk with Outstretched Wings
The hawk represents protection and watchful oversight of the land it inhabits. For the Lumbee people, it carries deep cultural significance. For Nupona, the hawk reflects active stewardship of stormwater systems that protect property, neighboring communities, and the watershed beyond the site.
Outstretched wings symbolize both action and guardianship. That posture reflects how we approach stormwater management with visibility, accountability, and long-term responsibility.
Principles We Work By
Engineering Accountability
Nupona performs compliance inspections with PE oversight and documentation aligned with stormwater program requirements. That responsibility is taken seriously on every site visit.
Preventive Over Reactive
Identifying SCM deficiencies early costs far less than emergency repairs or enforcement actions. We document conditions clearly so corrective action can occur before problems escalate.
Clarity for Non-Engineers
Stormwater regulations are technical. Our role is to translate them into clear, actionable information so property managers, HOA boards, and facilities teams understand what their site needs and why.
Rooted in Community
We serve North Carolina and South Carolina because this is our region, its watersheds, its communities, and its land. Stewardship goes beyond the inspection checklist.
Independent & Objective
As a third-party engineering firm, we have no stake in recommending unnecessary work. Our assessments reflect the actual condition of your site, nothing more and nothing less.
Sustainable Stewardship
Well-maintained SCMs protect water quality, control erosion, and preserve ecosystem function. Effective stormwater management is long-term stewardship in practice.
James D. "JD" Freeman, PE
Founder, Nupona Stormwater
Nupona Stormwater was built on a straightforward belief: property owners and communities deserve a stormwater partner grounded in engineering judgment, accountability, and clear communication.
The name Nupona reflects the founder's Lumbee heritage and an approach to stormwater management built on careful observation and an understanding of how systems perform in the field.
JD brings more than 20 years of engineering and infrastructure experience and over 10 years performing stormwater inspections, including service as an Air Force civil engineering officer, design engineer, project manager, and Director of Public Works.
Nupona serves commercial properties, HOAs, and municipalities throughout North Carolina and South Carolina with a practical, relationship-focused approach to stormwater compliance.
Ready to Work with an Engineer
Who Knows Stormwater?
Whether you need a state-required inspection or a second opinion on a deficiency report, we're here to make the process straightforward.