Stormwater Utility

The City’s Stormwater Utility is responsible for managing, maintaining and improving the stormwater conveyance systems Mercer Island.  The result is improved stormwater quality at outfalls entering Lake Washington, and to reduced erosion and localized flooding on the Island.
 
There are thousands of catch basins and 285,000 feet of storm drain lines on Mercer Island. We inspect storm drain lines every year; they are cleaned as needed and continually assessed for erosion control measures, according to City, State and Federal rules and regulations. The City relies on contracted services for open ditch and catch basin cleaning.
 
The City of Mercer Island must meet specific requirements to implement programs which minimize the discharge of pollution from municipal stormwater systems into our streams, lakes, rivers and wetlands.  Our annual Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) Plan Update details actions the City is taking to reduce stormwater runoff pollution to Lake Washington.

Puget Sound Starts Here

The City of Mercer Island is taking part in a campaign to build awareness throughout the region about stormwater. Mercer island was one of many jurisdictions that cooperated with King County and the Puget Sound Partnership to develop the 'Puget Sound Starts Here' campaign.
 
We are always looking for ongoing ways to reach out to residents, to help you understand how you can have a positive impact on the health of our waterways (and ultimately Puget Sound) by scooping pet waste, taking cars to a commercial car wash and having oil leaks fixed, and using fertilizers and pesticides sparingly.
 
The campaign includes TV commercials and other communication channels.  Continued public education about stormwater is an essential part of the City's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit compliance.