Your Stormwater Management Division
Posted on 08/02/2018

Newcastle's Stormwater Management Division, commonly referred to as SWM, manages and maintains Newcastle's stormwater system. The stormwater system protects public health and property from flooding. It is governed by Newcastle's Phase II National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit. Cities and counties in Washington State with 1990 populations over 100,000 and 250,000, respectively, are subject to phase I permits. Smaller cities and counties that have stormwater systems within, or partially within, census-designated urbanized areas are subject to phase II permits. NPDES permits are regulated by Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE).

SWM updates its stormwater management program plan and submits a report summarizing its efforts to comply with its NPDES permit to DOE annually. Program plans and annual reports can be found on Newcastle's website here. SWM is staffed by five employees. The stormwater system is made up of 50 miles of pipe, over 2,900 storm drains, and over 100 facilities including: detention ponds, detention vaults and tanks, sand filters, infiltration facilities, storm filter systems, and green stormwater infrastructure.

SWM also inspects privately owned stormwater systems located within Newcastle. SWM is funded by a surface water management fee assessed on all properties in Newcastle. Check back soon to learn more about the surface water management fee.

Newcastle Knows Clean Water is a new series brought to you by city Surface Water Specialist Kim Jones. Look for regular updates that give citizens an inside look at the city's Surface Water Management Division and how it impacts you! Questions about Newcastle Knows Clean Water? Contact [email protected]. See previous articles at newcastlewa.gov/cleanwater.

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