Bellevue is updating the city's Storm and Surface Water System Plan as a guide to:
- Control damage from storms
- Protect surface water quality
- Support fish and wildlife habitat and the environment
We know Bellevue communities care about these things too, so we want your help shaping the recommendations in the plan.
What is storm and surface water?
When it rains, rainwater either soaks into the soil below or flows on surfaces such as roads, driveways, sidewalks etc. Rainwater that flows on surfaces, or that does not soak into the soil, is called “stormwater.” Stormwater flows into ditches or underground stormwater pipes and eventually ends up in our lakes, streams, and wetlands—this is called surface water.
Storm and surface water need to be managed properly to protect water quality, prevent flooding and erosion, and keep natural habitats healthy. Polices, programs and projects are used to manage storm and surface water—you can find these in the Storm and Surface Water System Plan. This plan is updated every 10 years. The last update happened in 2015, so, it's time for another.
Why should you care?
Flooded streets, polluted waterways, landslides and declining plant and animal habitats affect everyone.
A healthy community relies on well-maintained stormwater systems and surface water environments. Some benefits include:
- Preventing flooding and damage to businesses and homes from storms
- Supporting safe recreation in streams and lakes (like fishing and swimming)
- Protecting and restoring plant, animal, and aquatic habitats
- Preventing erosion and landslides
How can you be involved?
Everyone has a part to play when it comes to keeping our waterways healthy. Individually, you can make sure to do things like pick up your pet waste and use water-safe lawn maintenance practices. Learn more about what individual actions you can take here.
While you do your part in your homes and businesses, Bellevue Utilities works at a much larger scale. We are responsible for prioritizing stormwater projects and programs that benefit Bellevue’s community and environment the most, while also meeting state and federal requirements.
Stay informed
- Send an email with your questions or comments to Thania Barrios: TBarrios@bellevuewa.gov.
- Request a briefing from our project team for your community group or organization
- Sign up for email updates in the right column to learn about plan progress and opportunities to share input
Project Lifecycle
Phase 1: Gap Analysis
The project team reviews the existing plan recommendations, evaluates existing policies, and then identifies gaps that the updated plan should address.
Phase 2: Stormwater Program Update
The project team prioritizes program needs and suggests policy updates based on research and feedback from the community. The community can give feedback by taking the project survey, participating in a project focus group, or talking with the project team!
Phase 3: Plan Draft & Adoption
The project team finalizes the plan after receiving more feedback from:
- Bellevue community members, workers, and visitors
- Local, regional, and state agencies
Will my utility fees go up based on the recommendations in the plan?
The recommendations made in the Storm and Surface Water System Plan are one reason why the City might need to raise utility rates. Other reasons include the money needed to operate each year and to follow the City’s financial rules. Bellevue Utilities creates a plan for rates over six years. The goal is to make sure any rate changes are predictable, steady, and as affordable as possible.
How does Bellevue Utilities prioritize its storm and surface water projects and programs?
We choose the projects and programs to prioritize by:
- Making sure that we are following local, state, and federal rules.
- We also consider:
- If a project or program will help address stormwater issues dependably
- If we have the capacity to support or maintain a project or program
- Whether a project or program depends on other projects
- How helpful the projects and programs are for habitat health
- If projects and programs support health and safety for all community members
What is the difference between the Storm and Surface Water, Water, and Wastewater system plans?
The Storm and Surface Water System Plan helps the City manage flooding issues, water pollution issues, and protect our environment from runoff after it rains. The Water System Plan helps guide the City in providing a reliable supply of drinking water to communities. The Wastewater System Plan explores the current and future needs of the City’s sewer systems. This provides the City with information that guides the City when more are built throughout the City boundary. All of these plans also make sure that Bellevue is meeting rules set by the state and federal government.
What is the difference between the Storm and Surface Water System Plan and the Watershed Management Plan?
The Watershed Management Plan helps decide the best ways to take care of our streams and improve their health. It focuses on making smart and cost-effective choices for the main watersheds in Bellevue: Coal Creek, Greater Kelsey Creek, the Lake Sammamish Tributaries, and the small streams that flow into Lake Washington.
This plan will help guide another plan called the Storm and Surface Water System Plan. That plan looks at things like pipes, storm drains, and swales that collect, move, and clean rainwater. The System Plan will suggest projects to help improve water quality, reduce flooding, and stop erosion.