Protecting Our Lakes and Streams

Published on January 25, 2024

Media Contact:
David Wolbrecht
Communications Program Manager
dwolbrecht@kirklandwa.gov
(425) 587-3021

KIRKLAND, Wash. – We all want clean water in Kirkland's creeks, lakes, and swimming beaches.  Protecting our waters from pollution takes concerted effort from the entire community, and the City of Kirkland has posted its draft Stormwater Management Program Plan which describes proposed actions the City will take this year to protect our lakes and streams.

Want to guide the City’s approach to protecting our lakes and streams?  The 2024 Draft Stormwater Management Program Plan is available online at www.kirklandwa.gov/stormwater. Comments can be provided via e-mail to stormwater@kirklandwa.gov by February 23, 2024.

“Stormwater runoff is a leading cause of pollution reaching Kirkland creeks, lakes, and wetlands,” said Councilmember Neal Black.  “Pollution can come from everyday activities such as driving, yard care, pet waste, car washing, and construction.  It’s crucial that we all reduce the amount of pollution that makes its way onto the landscape and try to remove contaminants from runoff before it reaches local waters.  We all can play a part in preventing stormwater pollution, and the City’s draft Stormwater Management Program Plan describes what the City will do to protect our waters.”

Kirkland operates under a state-issued permit that allows the City to discharge stormwater from its public drainage system into rivers, lakes, and streams as long as the City implements programs and works with its residents and businesses to reduce pollutants in stormwater.

The City’s 2024 Draft Stormwater Management Program Plan describes actions that the City will take in 2024 and beyond to maintain compliance with the permit and protect our lakes and streams.  Examples of these actions are public education around natural yard care and vehicle maintenance, tracing and halting spills or dumping of pollutants to the municipal stormwater system, reviewing development plans to control stormwater pollution at construction sites, and maintaining the City’s network of stormwater pipes, ditches, and ponds.

For more information about the City’s Storm and Surface Water Management Programs, visit www.kirklandwa.gov/stormwater.  To learn more about the State Department of Ecology stormwater permit, search “Phase II Western WA Municipal Stormwater Permit” at www.ecy.wa.gov.

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