Storm Water Utility Experience in Bellevue, Washington

by Damon Diessner,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Water Management in the '90s: A Time for Innovation

Abstract:

Surface water management is seen as a flood protector by most, a savior of the environment by some and a subversion of property rights by others. As recently as 20 years ago, there were no cities in the nation with departments solely devoted to storm water runoff. Surface water management was usually part of city's overall public works program and primarily an adjunct to road maintenance. The typical urban storm drain system kept drainage out of sight and out of mind unless there was a flooding emergency. In 1974, the Northwest's first Storm and Surface Water utility was formed in response to citizen concerns that urbanization was destroying the city's streams and threatening stream property. Other cities followed suit, and today there are hundreds of storm water utilities nationwide.

Subject Headings: Stormwater management | Urban areas | Utilities | Surface water | Municipal water | Drainage systems | Water pollution | Washington | United States

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