Stormwater

The Stormwater system in the City of Port Townsend is designed to address flooding and reduce the discharge of pollutants into water resources. The City stormwater system includes combination on of wetlands, pipes, catch basins and detention basins for flood control. In the older sections of the city, stormwater runs down our pavement gutters, sidewalks, roads, driveways, and drains directly to the Puget Sound. Therefore, it is important to keep our streets clean to minimize the amount of pollutants that enter the street drains. Residents and businesses will see a stormwater utility fee on their monthly utility bills. This utility fee provides the City resources to maintain and continue to build projects to improve the stormwater system. The focus of the stormwater utility today is to provide water quality treatment in addition to flood and erosion control. In recent years, many rain gardens have also been installed for environmental benefit. 
 

Stormwater Impact
Stormwater is impacted by the everyday actions of residents and businesses. Rainwater that falls onto hard surfaces flows into storm drains. Along the way, stormwater picks up pollutants such as oil on roadways, bacteria from pet waste, litter, fertilizers from yards, and suds from car washing. These pollutants, if not removed through treatment, make their way to the Puget Sound or to wetlands. All residents and businesses can all make positive contributions to reduce contamination in stormwater and protect aquatic and human health by considering how we impact the water quality that runs off our streets and properties. 

Stormwater Management Program
The City is required by the State of Washington Department of Ecology to follow Federal and State stormwater regulations and must maintain a Stormwater Management Program. This Program is a comprehensive plan designed to reduce the discharge of pollutants from the City in order to protect local waters. This requirement is rooted from the Clean Water Act and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. The Western Washington Stormwater Management Manual, published by the Department of Ecology, provides the best available science and best management practices to address stormwater impacts on the environment.

The City has implemented many of these practices to correct existing potential stormwater pollution sources with best management practices such as filter units, vegetated swales, constructed wetlands, infiltration basins, and detention facilities. Additionally, the City sweeps the streets and cleans catch basins to remove pollutants before they enter the pipe systems.

Did you know that stormwater pollution is considered the largest water pollution problem in the urban areas of Washington State? Managing stormwater effectively involves cooperative efforts from both the private and public sectors. Check out some Common Hazards & Easy Solutions for helping with Stormwater pollution.

Emergency Spills
Phone: 911

Department of Ecology 24-Hour Spill Hotline
Phone: 360-407-6300

United States Coast Guard - Vessel Petroleum Spills
Phone: 800-982-8813

Jefferson County Health Department
(360) 385-9400Public