FAQs • Stormwater Maintenance and Inspections

Stormwater Maintenance and Inspections

A stormwater system is any part of an engineered drainage system that collects rainwater. Some common examples of stormwater systems include:

detention ponds
underground vaults, detention pipes, and stormfilters
permeable/porous pavement
bioswales
rain gardens
modular wetlands
catch basins

2. Why do you need to inspect my stormwater system?: We inspect your system periodically to help ensure that it's functioning properly and to keep City of Bothell in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

3. Why should I maintain my stormwater system?

First, stormwater facilities protect your property from flooding by giving excess rainwater somewhere to go.

Second rainwater from your facility drains directly into our rivers, lakes, streams, and wetlands without further treatment. If your system isn't functioning properly, it allows pollutants that were carried with the rainwater (e.g., fertilizers, vehicle fluids, and pet waste) to cause water quality problems that could make contact with the water a health risk. For these reasons, owners of private stormwater systems are required to maintain their storm systems at least annually (BMC 18.04.270) and according to the approved design.

4. What information do I need to provide to the City?

You will need to provide City of Bothell staff with the following information:

Current property owner information with contact person, address, and phone number if it has changed in the past six months.
The contact person should be the Property Manager/Landlord, Homeowners Association President, or Owner(s) representing all affected properties.
Contact information must include full name, address, phone number, and email.

Please email the contact information to us, as well as any updates if contact information has changed, so we can ensure our records are current.

5. Who do I contact if my stormwater system needs maintenance or repairs?

If City of Bothell staff notified you that your stormwater system needs maintenance and/or repairs, whether after an urgent response or through a routine inspection, you may need to hire a contractor to do the work. Here is some information about drainage system maintenance service contractors with a State business license permitting them to perform services within Bothell's city limits. We update this list every year. City of Bothell has no affiliation with the contractors and does not guarantee quality of service or otherwise endorse any of the contractors.

Deciding which drainage system maintenance contractor to hire

Before hiring a contractor, you should do your research, read customers' reviews, and get at least three bids. Drainage system maintenance is a competitive field and you can usually save money by shopping around. Most firms have substantial callout fees, and depending on the size of your system, you might pay the same amount to have your entire system cleaned rather than just one of two of its structures.

Labor & Industries also has helpful tips for hiring a contractor.

Information the contractor will need

When you request drainage system maintenance from a private contractor, please provide the contractor with a copy of the maintenance order (also called an Order to Maintain) you received from City of Bothell. The contractors know they can contact us if they require any clarification about the maintenance order. Please notify City of Bothell once the contractor has completed the maintenance work.

6. Can I clean the stormwater system myself?

Unless you are a qualified professional yourself, the safest course of action is to hire licensed contractor who is qualified to perform the necessary work on site. Here is a list of contractors licensed to do this kind of work in Bothell's city limits.

Deciding which drainage system maintenance contractor to hire

7. How much time do I have to complete the maintenance requirements for my stormwater system?: Typically, you will have 30 days after you receive the Order to Maintain to contact the City of Bothell inspector and establish a timeline for how and when you intend to complete the work. We are able to grant extensions if extensive work is necessary and you provide us with written proof of intent with the 30-day timeframe. If you do not comply with these requirements, you could be subject to civil penalties per BMC 11.20.010.

8. How often will I need to have my stormwater system cleaned?: Maintenance frequency will depend on the type of system you have and the surrounding conditions in your community. Establishing a maintenance schedule is the best way to ensure your system continues to function properly. You are required to maintain your private stormwater system at least annually.

9. I have questions about my stormwater system. Who do I contact?: Bothell has two surface water inspectors available to answer your questions. Please email or call us if you'd like to ask any questions.

10. Where does something end up after it goes into my storm system?

In most cases, whatever goes into public storm drains in Bothell flows through storm pipes or open channels, then discharges into streams, lakes, rivers, and eventually Puget Sound. Unlike sewage, stormwater doesn't stop at a treatment facility along the way, which is why it's so important to make sure pollutants stay out of the storm system.

Here's a good rule of thumb: If you wouldn't want to swim in it or let your pets drink it, keep it out of your storm system.

Remember...nothing but rain down the storm drain!

11. How do I report a spill of hazardous material or illegal dumping into a storm drain?: Please call our 24/7 Spill Hotline right away at 425-806-6750.

12. Is it ok to dump biodegradable products into the storm drain?

No. Even if a product is biodegradable, it could still be toxic to aquatic life. Many biodegradable products aren't designed to break down in water the same way they do in soil. Whatever enters a storm drain in Bothell flows, untreated, to the nearest stream, lake, or river.

Here's a good rule of thumb: If you wouldn't want to swim in it or let your pet drink it, make sure it doesn't go down your storm drain.

Remember...nothing but rain down the storm drain!

13. What do I do if the storm drain in front of my house is flooding?: Call 425-488-0118 during business hours. We will need to know your address and phone number. We encourage residents to help to keep storm drains and catch basins clear, especially in the fall. If roadway conditions allow, please remove organic debris (like leaves, sticks, etc) and put them in your yard waste container for collection.
If the storm drain is flooding after hours and creating a life safety issue, call 911.

14. What is a bioswale?

A bioswale is a shallow ditch with gently sloping sides and various layers of soils beneath. A bioswale - sometimes called a vegetated ditch - slows stormwater runoff and directs it to an area where it can soak in. It achieves the same goal as a rain garden, but is usually designed to manage a larger amount of runoff. A bioswale often uses grass and plants to stabilize the soil, reduce erosion, slow the flow, and absorb runoff.

Learn more about bioswales, their benefits, and how to take care of them.