Title
Special Recognition - Olympia’s Stormwater Retrofit Program
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Recognize City staff for their success at retrofitting City stormwater systems for water quality treatment.
Report
Issue:
The stormwater retrofit program represents a noteworthy example of staff’s ability to consistently receive State grants and loans to support City environmental goals.
Staff Contact:
Eric Christensen, Engineering and Planning Manager, Public Works Water Resources, 360.570.3741
Andy Haub, Water Resources Director, 360.753.8475
Presenter(s):
Eric Christensen, Public Works Water Resources
Background and Analysis:
Treating urban stormwater runoff to remove contaminants is a local, regional, and state priority. Contaminants entering our stormwater system contribute to unhealthy streams, wetlands, and marine waters.
The City’s Storm and Surface Water Utility provides local leadership and funding for managing stormwater in our community. In 2007, Utility staff set a goal to fund and construct one major stormwater retrofit project on an older arterial street or business district each year. Recent projects range from the high profile stormwater project at Yauger Park on Olympia’s Westside to less visible projects such as building an underground water treatment system along 4th and State Avenues.
Olympia’s success with these projects is made possible with recent grants and low interest loans from the Washington Department of Ecology. In the past six years, Ecology funded six major stormwater projects in Olympia. The retrofit projects use different treatment technologies based on the unique circumstances of the site. Each project results in the removal of sediment, metals, nutrients, and petroleum-based chemicals found in stormwater runoff.
Utility’s work to update stormwater systems in older areas of Olympia, combined with the work by private development to install stormwater treatment systems, is improving the quality of stormwater in Olympia.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Environmental protection and enhancement is strongly supported by the City’s Comprehensive Plan and ongoing community action.
Options:
N/A
Financial Impact:
The stormwater grants typically require a 25 percent local financial match. .The local match is funded through Olympia’s Storm and Surface Water Utility rates.
Attachment(s):
N/A