Surface & Stormwater

Surface water staff manage the City’s stormwater system and work with residents, businesses and property owners to reduce stormwater pollution, promote private stormwater management and protect our rivers, streams and groundwater. The City spans 22 distinct drainage basins in three different watersheds. Runoff from homes, roads and parking lots makes its way to Lake Washington, the Snohomish River and Port Gardner Bay. View or download our map, Everett drainage basins & watersheds (PDF).

For more information on the municipal stormwater program contact: Heather Griffin, Hgriffin@everettwa.gov, 425-257-7206

Para más información acerca del programa municipal de agua pluvial comuníquese con: Heather Griffin, Hgriffin@everettwa.gov, 425-257-7206

howarth park
  1. How can I report pollution?
  2. How can I make a difference?
  3. How can I volunteer?

Call the City of Everett Public Works Department 24-hours a day at 425-257-8821 with any concerns or if you see someone dumping into a storm drain, creek or other body of water.

We ask that you report:

  • Spills, even if accidental
  • Clogged storm drains
  • Illicit discharges or connections

Watch our video (English with Spanish subtitles), "City of Everett Stormwater & You."

Learn more about how to spot illicit discharge. View or download, Warning signs of illicit discharge (PDF). There are a few situations where natural occurring phenomenon can appear to be serious pollution problems. View or download, Natural occurring concerns (PDF).

  1. Private stormwater maintenance
  2. Source Control Business Inspections
  3. Surface Water Comp Plan

Everett and other urban areas that collect stormwater runoff in municipal storm sewers and discharge it to surface waters are required to have a permit under the federal Clean Water Act. This permit, called the NPDES (National Pollution Discharge Elimination System) Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit, requires Everett to submit an annual report, and create and implement a Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) that includes:

  • Comprehensive stormwater planning
  • Public education and outreach
  • Public involvement and participation
  • Mapping and documentation
  • Illicit discharge detection and elimination
  • Runoff control from new development, redevelopment and construction sites
  • Operations and maintenance
  • Source Control Program

The City’s Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) describes actions the city took in 2022 to maintain compliance with the Western Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit (Permit) to reduce stormwater runoff to Everett’s waterways. The SWMP outlines all the requirements of the Permit and a summary of the City’s work program between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022 to maintain compliance with conditions of the Permit. The SWMP is also written to inform the public of planned SWMP activities for each stormwater program component planned for the upcoming year.

Public comments on the program are accepted anytime. Address comments to Heather Griffin, hgriffin@everettwa.gov or call 425.257.7206.

For more information, view or download:

In Everett, some stormwater discharges to water bodies and some is captured in a combined sewer system and conveyed to our wastewater treatment plant, called the Everett Water Pollution Control Facility. View our sewer webpage for information on how we clean wastewater.
  1. Environmental stewardship
  2. Stormwater technical resources
  3. Green stormwater infrastructure

The City has been working on efforts to restore salmon habitat at Smith Island for over 20 years. After construction of a restoration project, long-term biological monitoring is required by regulatory agencies to demonstrate that the site is meeting the intended environmental functions. Once that is achieved the City provides local stewardship in perpetuity for those areas. Additionally, the City performs water quality monitoring of Silver Lake and local streams. To find out more about these efforts visit the Environmental stewardship webpage.

  1. Rain gardens
  2. Rain barrels
  3. Pet waste

Everett offers free green gardening workshops to help community members garden more naturally. View or download the Green Home, Green Garden flyer (PDF).

Sign-up for Everett’s seasonal garden e-newsletter,  Green garden, green home e-newsletter