333 S. Meridian, Puyallup, WA 98371 - 253-841-4321

City of Puyallup

Stormwater Management

We provide technical assistance in environmental engineering to other Public Works and Planning departments. The focus of Stormwater Management 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 stormwater management and salmon protection. To view the current NPDES requirements and associated reports, please view the Clean Water & NPDES page.

The Stormwater Management Department offers solutions that can enhance our natural resources. Please do your part to help preserve the quality of our water and the environment. Take a look at Puyallup's rain gardens or the Citizen's Guide to Protecting Our Waters page to see how every citizen can do their part to help.

Upcoming events

There are events scheduled at this time from the Stormwater Section.

For links to upcoming FREE webinars for Landscape Contractors interested in being part of Puyallup's Rain Garden Program pre-approved contractor list, please visit the Puyallup's Rain Garden Program page.

Puyallup Stormwater

2013 Clarks Creek Elodea Management Bid Process

The bid opening for teh 2013 elodea work was held 05/14/2013 at 2pm after a four week announcement period. The responsive low bidder is currently being determined. Bid tab will be posted soon. The contract will be presented to Council at t he 05/21/2013 meeting for consideration and award.

2013 Clarks Creek Elodea Removal

After a successful Clarks Creek Elodea Task Force project, permitting is underway for the 2013 elodea removal season. This year Diver-Assisted Suction Harvesting is planned to address the 3-mile stretch of stream; using mechanical cutting only as a back-up when/if needed. Also planned for 2013 is a demonstration of the sediment removal (aka: SandWand) process. Permits are currently being submitted for both projects. Scheduling of the projects will be dependent upon the permit agency's responses. Read more about this project.

GSI Success!

Since 2011 we have been cataloging green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) installations in the city. With the completion of the 8th Ave NW LID Retrofit project, we have reached our goal of disconnecting 9 million gallons of stormwater! Read more about this success on the Get Disconnected web page.

Clarks Creek Elodea Task Force

Excessive native elodea growth in Clarks Creek has contributed to problems in and around the creek for at least 20 years. Read about the Task Force and the 2012 process that developed short- and long-term plans for elodea management.

 

2013 SWMPR

The 2013 Stormwater Management Program Report (SWMPR) has been updated to reflect planned and anticipated projects and programs for 2013. After the November 2012 public comment period and presentation, the SWMPR was completed and is now posted for viewing in final form.

Construction Time - 8th Ave NW LID Retrofit Project

Puyallup's highlighted and regionally recognized Green Stormwater Infrastructure Street is nearly complete! With only rain gardens left to plant (03/16/2013 event) construction work that began 10/16/2012 wrapped up early December 2012 on schedule. To read more about this amazing demonstration project, please visit the 8th Ave NW LID Retrofit project page.

Current Stormwater Projects

In addition to Stormwater Programs - such as Puyallup's Rain Gardens and Fish-Friend Car Washing - the Stormwater Department is currently working on the various projects listed below. Read more on the Stormwater Projects page, click on the available links below for more information on any of these projects, or contact the Stormwater Department for more information.

Stormwater Management Staff

Steve Carstens, P.E.
Stormwater Engineer
(253)841-5597, email

Steve Carstens, P.E. was born and raised in Tacoma. He graduated from Washington State University with a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering in 1998 and also has a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management which he received in 1989. Steve has Project Management experience with construction firms in both western and eastern Washington. He also has consultant engineering experience working for a local structural engineering firm. With over 10 years experience working with Pierce County in the Bridge Engineering section, as well as Planning and Land Services, Steve brings considerable experience and expertise to the city of Puyallup. Additional work experience has also included active work with Low Impact Development (LID) in association with the Rails to Trails program. His extensive design background working with the Ecology's Storm Manual and NPDES permit requirements further builds on his impressive qualifications to serve at the City's Stormwater Engineer. Steve started working for the City of Puyallup in October, 2011.

Joy Rodriguez
Associate Stormwater Engineer
(253)841-5549, email

Joy Rodriguez holds a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from California State University, Sacramento (2001) and has passed the FE exam. Joy's work in stormwater includes support to the Stormwater Engineer on NPDES-compliance activities and reporting,  public education and outreach, grant management, development of website content, research and development of funding opportunities, management of stormwater programs, support for TMDL-related activities and plan development, and support on collaborating partnerships with local organizations, jurisdictions and businesses.

Prior to the City, Joy performed work as a researcher in automotive accident reconstruction for seven years. Activities included research and analysis of pedestrian, single- and multi-vehicle collisions related to products liability and roadway design. Analysis included field documentation, analysis of roadway design including sight distance, roadway structure, maintenance, traffic signal function and analysis, crash test analysis, simulation, energy analysis reconstruction, federal report authoring, publishing, and courtroom presentation development.

Joy began working for the City in June 2010.

Kendall Wals
Business Outreach Specialist, Local Source Control Program
(253)770-3364, email

After completing her bachelor's degree in Planning and Environmental Policy at Western Washington University (2010) Kendall began work with the City as an Intern in the Planning Department. Her experience and outreach skills made her a perfect fit for the City's new 100% grant-funded Local Source Control Program and was hired full time in 2012 in a temporary position.

Kendall's work includes providing technical assistance and education to local small businesses to help them maintain compliance with environmental regulations while providing information on best management business practices to reduce exposure of hazardous and dangerous waste to the environment.

Report a Spill or Illicit Discharge

Please call 253-770-3336 to report any spill or discharges other than surface and ground waters into the City storm drain system. Life threatening emergencies should use 911. Learn more.

Puyallup's Rain Gardens

Read through information on Puyallup's Rain Garden Program to learn about past installations, view photographs, and find links to resources to build your own rain garden.