Surface Water Management Division
Business Inspections
Pollution Source Control Program
Snohomish County Surface Water Management (SWM) has a source control inspection program designed to help business owners and managers control surface water pollution and comply with Snohomish County Water Pollution Control Code SCC 7.53. The recent revisions in SCC 7.53 reflect enhanced water quality and pollution control measures outlined in the current National Pollution Discharge Elimination (NPDES) Permit issued to Snohomish County by the Department of Ecology in 2007. The NPDES permit requires businesses located in unincorporated Snohomish County to implement Best Management Practices (BMPs). The specific BMP requirements are identified in Snohomish County Drainage Manual Volume IV. These measures will help prevent discharge of pollutants to municipal storm systems, streams, rivers, lakes, and Puget Sound.
The provisions of the Snohomish County Phase I NPDES Permit require SWM staff to annually inspect 20% of business sites that have a potential to pollute stormwater. SWM personnel work with the business community to assess pollution management strategies, offer program literature, and recommend effective solutions to achieve compliance. Depending on business type, there are a variety of ways to become compliant - from work place education and awareness to structural BMP implementation, SWM staff will provide recommendations upon conclusion of our initial visit.
Business Inspection Program Documents
Business Inspection Program Brochure (141 kb PDF)
Basic Spill Response Plan (294 kb PDF)
"Only Rain Down the Drain" floor mopping flyer (1.8 mb PDF)
Storm Drainage Facility Cleaning Contractors (100 kb PDF)
Snohomish County Links
Snohomish County Surface Water Management NPDES Homepage
Snohomish County Solid Waste - Hazardous Waste
Reporting Water Pollution: A Citizen's Guide
Related External Links
Snohomish Health District - Navigating the Regulatory Maze Homepage
Washington Department of Ecology - Phase I Municipal Stormwater Permit Homepage
Snohomish Conservation District
Environmental Protection Agency - NPDES Permit Program Basics Homepage
Seattle Public Utilities - Pollution Control Inspection Homepage
Restaurant Grease Brochure (coming soon)
H2O Scenarios (1.04 MB PDF download) - Document regarding business practices and water management from the World Business Council for Sustainable Development
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about our program.
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