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Quick LinksWe provide technical assistance in environmental engineering to other Public Works and Planning departments. Our focus is to provide viable information so we can better serve our City departments as well as our citizens. There are many new environmental laws that we must comply with… such as storm water management and salmon protection. We hope to offer solutions that can enhance our natural resources. Please do your part to help preserve the quality of our water and the environment.
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Water Quality of Stormwater, Rivers, and Streams
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How Can I Improve Water Quality?
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Stormwater Management
Water Quality of Stormwater, Rivers, and Streams
Water quality is important to all people, wildlife, and the natural habitat. Each person, animal, and resource must co-exist with each other in order to maintain and have viable water resources for the future. Some things that can affect water quality are:
- Temperature
- Fecal Coliform Bacteria
- Erosion
- Dissolved Oxygen
- Excessive Nutrients
There is a delicate balance to reach optimum water quality. As time progresses, with better technology and improved awareness, we hope to reach this ideal water quality level.
Federal laws, such as the Clean Water Act, make it mandatory to identify polluted waterbodies, and we must submit these to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Our City has ordinances and policies so we are in compliance with these laws and regulations. If you would like more information, please take a look at our links.
How Can I Improve Water Quality?
- Know where your storm drains are. Just watch where the run-off goes from the rain, and you will see where the drain is. Usual places are near intersections and curbs, but they can be located in parking lots as well. Some drains have stencils around the drain or have the words "Drains to Stream" imprinted in the metal. Eventually, most stormwater enters our waterways.
- Make sure you keep debris and trash picked up. This helps prevent any litter from entering the storm drains. It will also prevent clogging and possible contamination.
- If constructing a new development or improving your house, make sure you have the proper permits. There are checklists that can help you make sure you are complying with local, state, and federal laws. If you have questions, our staff can usually direct you to a person who can further assist you.
- When working on a project, make sure to implement Best Management Practices (BMPs). Erosion control, excessive water, and run-off can cause unpredicted problems if not planned for. You should know what you are required to do, so you will not violate any City, State, or Federal regulations or policies.
- Garden "naturally". Try to reduce your use of chemicals in your yard and garden. There are many new methods to gardening naturally. Please research your options to reduce chemicals from entering our waterways.
- Be aware of possible violators and report them! You are our best resource in making sure that people comply with our laws. There are many times that people illegally dump waste (like oil and chemicals) down storm drains, especially after regular City office hours. We cannot stop contamination from directly entering the rivers, streams, and creeks if we are unaware of problems. Please call 911 to report the incident, so they can determine what actions need to be taken.
- Recycle! There are many ways to recycle thing, even used motor oil! You can contact your local auto parts dealer for more information about recycling. Reducing our waste or reusing it, is better for our environment and future generations.
Silver Creek/Meeker Creek Riparian Maintenance & Repair
The Greater Tacoma Community Partnership Foundation awarded the City of Puyallup and Pierce Conservation District Stream Team a Green Partnership Grant to continue efforts to restore riparian habitat along Meeker and Silver Creeks in Puyallup. Activities will include supplemental plantings, invasive week clearing and spraying. Public access to the Silver Creek restoration site will be provided by construction of a soft surface trail. The trail will start on 11th St SW, meander through the Silver Creek mitigation site and end at Th Ave SW. The trail will have two benches and at least two interpretive signs along the route.
Current schedule for activities:
March 19: NW Christian School planting willows, removing grass around plants, remove blackberry/ivy
Late March: mowing/clearing of trail route
April 10: Installation of bench pads, plant native trees/shurbs, garbage collection by Eagle Scout
April 17: Installation of benches, trail construction and planting by Lions Club. Additional voluneers are welcome at this event.
Stormwater Management
The Puget Sound Water Quality Management Plan requires all municipalities (in the Puget Sound Basin) to adopt the updated Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington by 2003. The Washington State Department of Ecology publishes this manual as a guide to municipalities in Western Washington.Work is currently being done to ensure the City of Puyallup will meet all federal and state laws.
Please visit the Washington State Department of Ecology website for more information.
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- The City of Puyallup recognizes the importance of environmental stewardship, energy efficiency and conservation in every part of the organization.