Share your thoughts on flooding, pollution control, and improving our waterways. Take the survey by Nov. 12 and apply to participate in a paid focus group for deeper discussions about this project.
STORM AND SURFACE WATER SYSTEM PLAN
The Storm and Surface Water System Plan (System Plan) is a study document developed to meet the City of Bellevue’s (City) storm and surface water management objectives:
- Control flood damage
- Protect surface water quality
- Support fish and wildlife habitat
The System Plan facilitates the effective management and operation of the City’s storm and surface water system and serves as a roadmap for future planning and development. The development of the System Plan includes:
- Analyzing Bellevue’s existing storm and surface water system (system)
- Identifying current and future system needs and deficits
- Recommending projects and programs for system improvement
- Updating stormwater management policies to align with the City’s Comprehensive Plan and state and federal regulations
- Evaluating operations and maintenance practices for optimization
- Conducting financial analysis and planning
STORM AND SURFACE WATER SYSTEM PLAN UPDATE
The Storm and Surface Water System Plan is updated every ten years to account for growth and development in the City, changing climate conditions, evolving state and federal stormwater regulations, and updates to the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
The City of Bellevue is currently updating the Storm and Surface Water System Plan following its last update in 2015. The Bellevue community is encouraged to engage in the System Plan update process, ask questions, and provide feedback.
Why should you care?
Flooded streets, polluted streams and lakes, landslides, and degrading plant and animal habitats affect everyone.
A healthy community depends on well-maintained stormwater systems and surface water environments. Some benefits of effective storm and surface water management include:
- Reduced flooding and damage to businesses and homes from storms
- Clean water in lakes and streams for safe recreation, such as fishing and swimming
- Improved and restored plant, animal, and aquatic habitats
- Minimized erosion and landslide occurrences
How can you be involved?
Everyone has a role in keeping our waterways healthy. The community can provide feedback by taking the project survey, participating in a focus group, or talking with the project team.
Individually, you can take actions such as picking up pet waste and using water-safe lawn maintenance practices. Learn more about individual actions you can take [here](External link).
While you contribute in your homes and businesses, Bellevue Utilities operates on a larger scale. We prioritize stormwater projects and programs that benefit Bellevue’s community and environment while also complying with state and federal stormwater management regulations.
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
System Plan Update Project Lifecycle
Phase 1: Gap Analysis
The project team reviews existing plan recommendations, evaluates current policies, and 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 community feedback.
Phase 3: Plan Draft & Adoption
The project team finalizes the plan after gathering additional feedback from:
• Bellevue community members, workers, and visitors
• Local, regional, and state agencies
Will my utility fees increase 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 ensure that any rate changes are predictable, gradual, and as affordable as possible.
How does Bellevue Utilities prioritize its storm and surface water projects and programs?
Projects and programs are prioritized by:
• Ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
• We also consider:
- The reliability of a project or program in addressing stormwater issues.
- Our capacity to support or maintain a project or program.
- Whether a project or program depends on other projects.
- The potential benefits of 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 and water pollution issues while protecting the environment from runoff after it rains. The Water System Plan guides 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 for future infrastructure developments. All these plans ensure that Bellevue complies with state and federal regulations.
What is the difference between the Storm and Surface Water System Plan and the Watershed Management Plan?
The Watershed Management Plan outlines effective strategies for maintaining and improving the health of our streams. It focuses on making smart, cost-effective decisions for Bellevue's main watersheds: Coal Creek, Greater Kelsey Creek, the Lake Sammamish Tributaries, and the smaller streams flowing into Lake Washington.
This plan informs the Storm and Surface Water System Plan, which addresses infrastructure such as pipes, storm drains, and swales that collect, transport, and treat rainwater. The System Plan will propose projects aimed at improving water quality, reducing flooding, and preventing erosion.