WHAT IS STORMWATER?  

Stormwater is rain and snow melt that runs off surfaces such as rooftops, paved streets, highways, and parking lots. As water runs off these surfaces, it can pick up pollution such as:  oil, fertilizers, pesticides, soil, trash, and animal waste.  From here, the water might flow directly into a local stream, bay, or lake.  Or, it may go into a storm drain and continue through storm pipes until it is released untreated into a local waterway.



WHY IS STORMWATER A PROBLEM IN WASHINGTON?

Human Health:  In general, untreated stormwater is unsafe.  It can contain toxic metals, organic compounds, bacteria, and viruses.  Untreated stormwater is not safe for people to drink and is not recommended for swimming.  Polluted stormwater can lead to beach closures for swimming and shellfish harvesting.  It can also trigger toxic algal blooms.  In some areas of Washington, notably Spokane County, and parts of Pierce and Clark counties, gravelly soils allow rapid infiltration of stormwater.  Untreated stormwater discharging to the ground could contaminate aquifers that are used for drinking water.

Degraded Water Quality:  Virtually all of our urban creeks, streams, and rivers are harmed by stormwater pollution.  Stormwater is the leading contributor to water quality pollution of urban waterways in Washington.
Increased Flooding and Erosion:  Urban development increases the amount of impervious surfaces such as pavement and rooftops.  This increases water flow runoff and flooding frequency and intensity.  Stormwater flow also erodes stream channels.  A typical city block generates 5 times more runoff than a woodland area of the same size.

Impaired Habitat:  In Washington, urban stormwater harms and pollutes streams that provide habitat for fish and wildlife.  Alterations to the watershed, such as building homes and other structures and clearing away trees and shrubs, are the leading causes for stormwater pollution.  Federal agencies identified habitat loss from stormwater runoff as one of the primary obstacles to salmon recovery. 

Stormwater Hotline (360) 423-6590

Click here for Stormwater Incident Report

These documents are in pdf format.

Kelso Annual Report - 2009

Kelso Annual Report - 2008

Kelso Annual Report - 2007

Nutrient, Integrated Pest Management and Herbicide Plan

Operations Maintenance Facility Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan
February 12, 2010

Stormwater Management Plan - Phase I
July 2006

Stormwater Management Plan - Phase II December 2008 Stormwater Management Program Stormwater Market Research Report Stormwater Map Draft Interlocal Agreement National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit Letter National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit Solution to Pollution Brochure

WA State Ecology Website - Stormwater              Tracking Litter Video (mpeg)

STORMWATER ORDINANCES

• Ordinance No. 08-3672 KEDM              
• Ordinance No. 08-3667 KSAC
• Ordinance No. 08-3689 Stormwater Management Rates
  
• Ordinance No. 09-3713 IDDE (Illicit Discharge)
• Ordinance No. 10-3727 Stormwater Management
• Ordinance No. 10-3728 KEDM Amending Chapters 1,2,3 & 4

 
KELSO STORMWATER ADVISORY COMMITTEE

KSAC Member Roster
KSAC Bylaws
 
The KSAC generally meets quarterly on the last Wednesday of each month at the Kelso City Hall, 203 S. Pacific Ave., Kelso, WA 98626 at 4:00pm - 6:00pm.  If you need additional information on the meetings please call Van McKay, City Stormwater Manager at 360-423-6590.

Next KSAC Meeting:

December 1, 2010 @ 4:00pm
City Hall Conference Room 203
203 S. Pacific Ave.

KSAC Meeting Minutes

2010

1/6/10      2/22/10

2009

1/14/09     1/28/09      2/25/09    3/11/09    4/28/09*    5/26/09*   6/24/09*

7/29/09    8/26/09*   9/30/09   10/28/09   11/18/09*   12/16/09

2008

6/25/08     7/30/08     8/27/08     9/24/08     10/29/08     11/19/08     12/10/08 

*Regularly scheduled meeting was not held.  

For more information please Contact our Staff.