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Drainage and Stormwater Management
Overview
Drainage and stormwater management are essential to keeping our community safe, clean, and environmentally healthy. Stormwater is rain or snowmelt that flows over streets, parking lots, and rooftops, picking up pollutants along the way. The City of Lake Stevens Public Works Department is responsible for managing the system that carries this water away to prevent flooding and pollution from reaching our lakes, rivers, and streams.
Key Definitions
Understanding some basic terms can help you navigate drainage and water quality topics more easily:
- Stormwater: Water from rain or melting snow that flows over surfaces like roads, driveways, and rooftops. It often picks up pollutants before entering the storm drain system and eventually flows untreated into local water bodies.
- Surface Water: Water that is naturally found on the earth's surface, such as lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands. It includes stormwater once it enters these bodies.
- Potable Water: Water that is safe to drink and use for cooking, bathing, and cleaning. It is treated and distributed through a separate system from stormwater and wastewater.
- Storm Sewer vs. Sanitary Sewer:
- Storm Sewer: Carries stormwater runoff directly to natural water bodies.
- Sanitary Sewer: Collects wastewater from homes and businesses (from sinks, toilets, showers, etc.) and sends it to a treatment plant before discharge.
- Combined Sewer: (not common in Lake Stevens): In some older cities, both stormwater and sewage are collected in the same system. Lake Stevens uses separate systems for storm and sanitary sewers.
- NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System): A federal program that regulates stormwater discharges to protect water quality. Lake Stevens operates under an NPDES Phase II Municipal Permit, which outlines how the city must manage stormwater to minimize pollution and protect the environment.
Resources for Citizens
- Stormwater Management Page
- Water Quality Education
- Stormwater Facility Page
- To report a spill or drainage issue, contact the Environmental Division or use our Service Request Portal
Tips for Residents
You can help keep our drainage system functioning properly and our water clean by:
- Keeping storm drains free of leaves, trash, and debris.
- Never dumping paint, chemicals, or yard waste down storm drains.
- Using fertilizers and pesticides sparingly (preferably with no phosphorus).
- Picking up pet waste and disposing of it in the trash.
- Don't feed the birds per LSMC 10.03.110.
Regulations and Policies
Lake Stevens follows the NPDES Phase II Permit, which requires cities to manage stormwater through:
- Public education and outreach
- Spill prevention and pollution response
- Inspection and maintenance of drainage systems
- Construction and post-construction stormwater controls
For a full explanation, view our Stormwater Management Program Document.