Why Pollution Prevention Matters
When it rains, water runs off roofs, streets, and parking lots, flowing into storm drains and directly into our local streams and lakes—without any filtering or treatment. Along the way, rainwater can pick up harmful pollutants like spilled cooking oil, cleaning chemicals, and litter. These contaminants are carried straight into our waterways, posing serious risks to fish, wildlife, and overall water quality.
To help protect our environment, the City of Bellevue operates a Business Pollution Prevention Program. This program focuses on stopping pollution at the source—before it enters our stormwater system—ensuring cleaner, safer water for everyone.
Business Resources
The following posters are available FREE to Bellevue businesses. To request copies, please contact us at Utilities@bellevuewa.gov or 425-452-6932.
The Pollution Prevention Brochure - Your Local Stream Starts Here
Business Source Control Basics
What is Source Control?
Source Control is a new inspection program for businesses and publicly owned sites. City Inspectors will work with business owners to identify potential pollution sources and stop them from mixing with rainwater and entering a storm drain (the grates you see in the street or parking lot into which water flows). Depending on your site location within Bellevue, runoff from your property flows into the City’s stormwater drainage system or travels directly to a nearby lake, stream, or wetland.
Where did Source Control come from?
This program is a requirement of the Western Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit issued by the Department of Ecology.
How do I know if my business is on the list?
Common business types with the potential to pollute include food service establishments, food manufacturing, and grocery stores, salons, auto care, boat care, dry cleaners and laundromats, animal sales and care, construction trades, landscaping and nurseries, childcare centers and schools, mobile businesses to name a few.
If your business falls under one of the following business/activities, it will be inspected:
- Ambulatory Health Care Services and Hospitals
- Automotive Dealers and Gasoline Service Stations
- Beverage, Food, and Tobacco Manufacturing
- Building Materials, Hardware, Garden Supplies Dealers
- Chemical Manufacturing
- Construction of Buildings
- Educational Services
- Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component
- Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing
- Food and Beverage Stores
- Food Services and Drinking Places
- Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
- Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing
- Machinery, Computer, and Electronic Product Manufacturing
- Manufacturing
- Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions
- Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing
- Paper Manufacturing
- Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing
- Plastics and Rubber Product Manufacturing
- Primary Metal Manufacturing
- Printing and Related Support Activities
- Rail Transportation
- Rental and Leasing Services
- Repair and Maintenance
- Specialty Trade Contractors
- Support Activities for Animal Production
- Support Activities for Transportation
- Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation
- Transportation Equipment Manufacturing
- Truck Transportation and Warehousing
- Wholesale Trade – Durable Goods
- Wholesale Trade – Nondurable Goods
- Wood Product Manufacturing
When will the inspection take place?
Inspections are ongoing throughout the year as the City is required to inspect 20% of businesses annually. You may receive an email or a letter in the mail notifying you that your business has been scheduled for an upcoming inspection. If you would like to reschedule the inspection or set up a specific time to meet, please email sourcecontrol@bellevuewa.gov or call 425-452-6012.
What happens during the inspection?
An inspector will conduct a walkthrough of the business exterior to identify potential sources of pollution, review your spill plan and spill kit, observe how your business stores materials, and assess business maintenance practices. An action plan will be provided, and the inspector will partner with the business to come up with solutions to address any concerns uncovered during an inspection.
How long will the inspection take?
Inspections typically take less than one hour to complete but will depend on the conditions of the property and what pollutants are present.
What can I do to prepare for my inspection?
Make yourself, or a qualified representative, available to the inspector at the agreed date and time, give them your full attention, and make note of any questions you want to ask.
What best management practices can I implement at my business?
The Department of Ecology has a Stormwater Management Manual containing best management practices (BMPs) your business can adopt to prevent pollution from occurring.
Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington
What are good housekeeping practices?
- Sweep and clean outside areas regularly
- Keep the dumpster area tidy
- Clean up spills and dispose of waste property
- Keep chemicals and liquids inside or undercover
- Clean up solid waste on the ground
- Use only cold water – no soap – to pressure wash exterior surfaces and add storm drain protection, such as absorbent booms, drain guards, or catch basin inserts while pressure washing
- Use a tarp to protect piles—soil, sand, gravel, building and landscaping materials, etc. – so that the material does not wash into the stormwater system and cannot be blown away by the wind
- Do not hose down paved areas near storm drains or streams
Will you issue fines?
If three requests for voluntary compliance are ignored, Water Quality staff will initiate the Civil Violations process as outlined in BCC 1.18.075.
Will you close my business if I cannot comply?
No, Water Quality staff will work with your business to develop a solution for the identified source(s) of pollution on an agreed-upon timeframe. However, if there is pollution actively entering the storm system or bodies of water, action must be taken immediately to prevent further pollution from occurring and cleanup will need to take place in the timeframe designated by the City Inspector.
Will this cost my business money?
The inspection and the provided action plan do not cost money. Your Inspector will work with you to determine what changes need to be made and how to best implement them. Simple changes like implementing good housekeeping practices are free and prevent costly cleanup. If inspection findings reveal pollution that needs to be cleaned up, the business is liable for cleanup and any costs incurred. Costs could incur if supplies or equipment changes are needed to prevent pollution at your business.
Are there grants to help cover costs?
Yes, as a King County business, you have access to many resources to help you save money and protect workers and the environment. King County’s Hazardous Waste Management Program offers financial assistance, to help you safely manage your hazardous materials. For more information, please visit Business Incentives and Grants.
Are there any laws requiring this inspection?
The following City Code applies:
Civil Violations
1.18.030 Voluntary Correction
1.18.040 Notice of Civil Violation
Storm and Surface Water Utility Code
24.06.015 Purpose
24.06.045 Authority of the Utility
24.06.125 Prohibited, permissible and conditional discharges
24.06.130 Code violations, enforcement, and penalties
24.06.135 Right of Inspection
