Chelan and Okanogan County Home Inspection-StormWater Control

Private Facility Inspection and Enforcement Protocol

"The Eastern Washington Phase II Municipal Storm-water Permit requires that we protect water quality and reduce the discharge of pollutants into receiving waters. As part of the Permit, the regional counties must reduce pollutant discharges from storm-water management facilities through implementation of the Construction and Post-Construction Ordinances."

Many of these regulations will go into enforcement in 2011

How does this affect you as a home owner?

If you have a system for the control of storm-water/erosion such a retention pond and/or diversion swales in your sub-division or an underground injection control (UIC) well on your property you may need to have it inspected on a yearly basis for function and compliance (This may be handled by you personally or through a Home Owners Association). In addition if you plan to modify your property within the control areas of one of these systems you should contact your local jurisdiction for advice and consultation.

UIC wells are manmade structures used to discharge fluids into the subsurface. Examples are drywells, infiltration trenches with perforated pipe, and any structure deeper than the widest surface dimension. The majority of UIC wells in Washington are used to manage storm water (i.e., drywells) and sanitary waste (large on-site systems), return water to the ground, and help clean up contaminated sites. The potential for groundwater contamination from injection wells depends upon well construction and location; quality of the fluids injected; and the geographic and hydrologic settings in which the injection occurs.

The cities/counties are looking at a few options (here is just two)-

Owners of private facilities perform facility inspection and complete report

Owners of private storm-water facilities assume the responsibility of maintaining their facilities in a manner that prevents storm-water pollution and maintains the original function of the facility. Maintenance activities include annual inspections, record keeping, and reporting.

These systems are all designed to control water, pollution and erosion within the Columbia River watershed.

City/County performs facility inspections and owner performs maintenance

Overview: The CITY/COUNTY assumes responsibility for inspection of all private storm-water facilities. The inspection program includes record keeping and reporting. The CITY/COUNTY will inform each facility owner of maintenance actions that are necessary to maintain the facility in a manner that prevents storm-water pollution and maintains the original function of the facility. Private owners must perform or hire crews to perform the maintenance actions and submit records to the CITY/COUNTY for long term record keeping.

As a home owner or potential home owner you should be aware of these requirements.

Underground Injection Control Program- Link

Chelan and Okanogan County Home Inspection-StormWater Control