/ Public Works Engineering / Water, Sewer, and Stormwater Utilities / Private Stormwater Inspection Program
Private Stormwater Inspection Program
The Public Works Engineering Department in 2002 initiated the private stormwater facility inspection program. This program involves inspection of stormwater drainage facilities located on private commercial properties, such as offices, retail, automotive services, restaurants, and multi-family. The goal of this program is to reduce the volume of pollutants entering stormwater runoff. Maintenance – including cleaning dirty sediments from catch basins and vaults, clearing vegetation from detention ponds, repairing broken pipes, etc. – is needed on all stormwater systems to keep them functioning in accordance with their original design. A properly functioning stormwater system helps reduce surface water and groundwater contamination, flooding and erosion. This benefits our streams and Lake Sammamish by improving water quality.
This effort is being prompted by the Phase II National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) municipal stormwater permitting requirements, part of the federal Clean Water Act, that will become effective in 2003. Those regulations make the City responsible for ensuring that stormwater drainage from private property to public facilities (such as drainage systems in City streets) is being managed properly. Public Works Engineering inspectors will be conducting the inspections. The goal is inspect approximately 1/4 of the City businesses and multi-family properties each year. Notifications are send to the property owners 2 months prior to the inspections to give them time to do perform the maintenance. If maintenance is needed the owner/manager will be notified of this required work. A re-inspection will be conducted later to verify it was conducted.
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