National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
The Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) has issued an updated Western Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit to several Washington cities, including Burien. This new permit went into effect on August 1, 2019 and is in effect for 5 years.
Stormwater Management Program
The Burien Public Works Department continually works to update and improve its Stormwater Management Program (SWMP). This process involves revising programs to comply with the updated Municipal
Stormwater Permit, as well as implementing new programs and tasks that
are new to the permit. This page provides an overview of the major programs the City is currently implementing. This list is a work in progress, and will be updated as programs are revised or implemented.
The 2023 revision of the City of Burien's Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) is now available, along with the NPDES Permit Annual Report for the Municipal Stormwater Permit.
As part of Burien’s Stormwater Management Program, and as required by
the City’s Municipal Stormwater Permit, the City has implemented the
following programs:
Public Education and Outreach
Burien
has implemented several programs to provide public education and
outreach opportunities for storm and surface water topics. A major goal
is to reduce or eliminate behaviors and practices that cause or
contribute to adverse stormwater impacts. Learn more about Burien’s Stormwater Education and Outreach program.
Public Involvement and Participation
Burien
has an ongoing program to promote stewardship of our watersheds, and to
provide opportunities for the public to participate in environmental
improvement projects. We have a dedicated stewardship officer for the
Miller and Walker Creek Basins, who organizes and leads cleanup and
restoration projects throughout the year. Annual salmon spawn surveys
are also performed each fall in Miller and Walker Creeks, to help
document fish populations and stream health. The Environmental Science
Center also provides opportunities through their outreach efforts for
public participation in environmental topics.
Learn more about Miller and Walker Creeks Stewardship.
Controlling Runoff from Construction Sites
The
Municipal Stormwater Permit requires that jurisdictions provide
measures for reducing pollutants and controlling runoff from new
development, redevelopment, and construction site activities that
disturb land areas one acre or greater. Thorough
reviews of construction plans and routine inspections of construction
sites are performed by City staff to ensure that no polluted water
leaves a construction site and enters the City’s stormwater system or
waterways.
If you see dirty water running off a construction site, please call Burien Public Works at (206) 248-5521.
Pollution Prevention and Operations Program
We
have implemented a program for operations and maintenance (O&M) of
Burien’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) that includes
methods to prevent and reduce pollutant runoff into the storm and
surface water system. This program includes annual inspections of all
flow control and water quality stormwater facilities in Burien, both
public and private, as well as increased inspections of City owned catch
basins every two years. Additionally, the City provides
routine training opportunities for City staff in stormwater O&M and
water quality related topics.
Source Control Business Inspection Program
The current Phase 2 NPDES Permit requires the City to implement a program to inspect local businesses that have operations or other activities which might result in discharge of pollution to our stormwater system, with inspections required beginning in 2023. Cities will be required to inspect 20% of listed businesses annually. City staff has been working on developing this program throughout 2022, and is on track to begin inspections in early 2023.
If you have questions about this inspection program, please call Burien Public Works at (206) 248-5521.
Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE)
Burien has established a program to identify, trace, and remove illicit connections and
discharges, including any spills, into our surface water. Per Burien
Municipal Code (BMC) 13.10.240, there are certain prohibited and allowed discharges into surface, stormwater, and ground water systems.
See below for reporting illegal spills or dumping. Additionally, in
order to comply with current Permit requirements, the City has developed
IDDE Field Screening methodology, which City staff began implementing
in the summer of 2016. This includes inspecting stormwater outfalls throughout the City, with additional inspections upstream in the storm conveyance network if any signs of prohibited discharges or connections are suspected.
Reporting Spills
To report
spills of oil or hazardous materials or illicit discharge into our
stormwater system or natural waterways, call the City of Burien at (206) 248-5521. Examples
include construction materials, paint, pesticides, fertilizers, soaps,
detergents, and sewage.
If you observe a major spill or discharge which may be dangerous to life and health call 9-1-1 immediately and
report it as a non-emergency call.
For more information, see the WA Department of Ecology website.
For comments or questions, contact Dan O’Brien at (206) 248-5521 or [email protected].
Updated May 25, 2023