Policies & Regulations - Storm & Surface Water Plan

The City's Storm and Surface Water Utility was formed in 1986 with the following mission:

"To provide services that minimize flooding, maintain or improve water quality, and protect or enhance aquatic habitat. These services reflect community values, are efficient and cost-effective, and satisfy regulatory requirements and Olympia Comprehensive Plan goals and policies."  

The Utility drafted a Plan that aligned with this mission in the 1990s. By August 2001, they realized the need to update the basin plans, to respond to new regulatory requirements, and to incorporate current technologies.

The current Plan was adopted in November 2003, and will guide the Utility's actions over the next ten years, with flooding, water quality, and aquatic habitat goals. The Plan included a new rate structure and an accompanying rate increase. It was approved following public testimony and comment. Olympia residents are encouraged to review the Plan. Printer-friendly versions (PDF) are provided below.

City of Olympia Storm and Surface Water Plan

Complete Storm & Surface Water Plan 2003 with Appendices (29 MB)

By Chapter: 
Cover (840 KB) 
Table of Contents (108 KB) 
Executive Summary (106 KB)
Chapter 1 About This Plan (241 KB)
Chapter 2 Challenges and Responsibilities of Surface Water Management in Olympia (1.65 MB)
Chapter 3 Community Vision, Regulatory Framework and Utility Strategy (257 KB)
Chapter 4 Utility Goals and Actions (849 KB)
Chapter 5 Environmental Planning and Policy Development (246 KB)
Chapter 6 Capital Facilities Planning (415 KB)
Chapter 7 Operations and Maintenance (180 KB)
Chapter 8 Development Review (188 KB)
Chapter 9 Code Enforcement and Technical Assistance (138 KB)
Chapter 10 Public Involvement and Education (203 KB)
Chapter 11 Monitoring, Research, and Education (214 KB)
Chapter 12 Program Administration (105 KB)
Chapter 13 Plan Summary and Costs (424 KB)
Chapter 14 Current and Proposed Utility Finance (195 KB)

Storm & Surface Water Plan Appendices

Complete set of Storm & Surface Water Plan Appendices (25 MB)

By Appendice: 
Cover (987 KB)
Table of Contents (24 KB)
Appendix A Summary of Basin Plan Recommendations and Implementation Status (176 KB)
Appendix B Financial Summary (683 KB)
Appendix C Summary of Adaptive Management Techniques (91 KB)
Appendix D Summary of Olympia Stream Basin Traits (262 KB)
Appendix E Summary of Salmon Limiting Factors Analysis (136 KB)
Appendix F Utility Accomplishments (71 KB)
Appendix G Summary of Draft Level of Service Discussions (167 KB)
Appendix H Completed Capital Facility Projects (70 KB)
Appendix I Proposed Capital Facility Costs and Project Types (69 KB)
Appendix J Pipe Evaluation and Replacement Options and Costs (92 KB)
Appendix K Summary of Operations and Maintenance Action Papers (128 KB)
Appendix L Supplemental Information on Stormwater Pond Maintenance (100 KB)
Appendix M Street Cleaner Evaluation (92 KB)
Appendix N Summary of Public Involvement and Education Action Papers (104 KB)
Appendix O Supplemental Information on Monitoring Services (61 KB)
Appendix P Aerial Photographs of Olympia Drainage Basins and Summary of Options (22 MB)

Contact Information:

• Visit our City Services page for links to other City Services and contact information (phone numbers)
• Contact us at  Publicworks@ci.olympia.wa.us