Storm & Surface Water

Featured Item

• Flooding Information
• 2009 Drainage Design & Erosion Control Manual
• Reporting Spills
• Sandbags
• Stormwater System Maintenance

The Storm and Surface Water Utility

We work on many levels to protect water quality and prevent flooding. This involves working closely with residents, businesses and other government agencies to maintain a safe and healthy environment for people and wildlife.

There are nine streams within the 24 square miles of the City of Olympia, as well as four lakes, four large wetlands, six miles of shoreline and several thousand acres of public and private forest. The shorelines, streams and Capitol Lake compromise 12 basins or watersheds in Olympia.

Our services

We maintain over 130 miles of underground pipe, over 6300 storm drains, and 40 stormwater ponds that carry stormwater runoff from roads and rooftops to our streams and Budd Inlet.

We monitor our waters, and initiate new ways to protect them through our education and outreach programs, technical assistance and new regulations.

What is the harm of stormwater?

Olympia is growing at a very rapid rate. As the city grows, forests are replaced with roads, buildings and parking lots creating more stormwater pollution. This pollution affects water quality, aquatic habitat and the risk of flooding.

Stormwater starts as rain picks up pollutants from streets, sidewalks, and lawns as it runs off to pipes that quickly discharge into our streams and wetlands. Pollutants can harm animals and people, while too much water at once can cause streams to overflow and erode their banks sending muddy polluted water downstream.

How can we reduce the harm to our streams and Budd Inlet?

• Learn more about our watersheds and waters
• Find out how you can help us take care of our waters
• Prevent flooding and erosion
• Keep our stormwater pipe system in good shape
• Stay current on new engineering and biological science

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Contacting Public Works

• Physical Address: 924 7th Ave. SE, Suite A
• Mailing Address: PO Box 1967, Olympia, WA 98507-1967 (directions)
• Hours: M - F from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except for City-recognized holidays)
• 360.753.8588, TTY 360.753.8005
• publicworks@ci.olympia.wa.us