Stormwater is rain and water that comes from melting snow and ice. Stormwater can soak into the soil, be held on the surface and evaporate, or run off and end up in nearby streams, rivers or other water bodies. In natural landscapes, soils absorb much of the stormwater, and plants help hold stormwater close to where it falls.
When we develop land by building houses, roads and parking lots, we increase the amount of impervious surface in an area. Impervious surfaces – roads, driveways, sidewalks, swimming pools, parking lots, for example – do not allow water to naturally infiltrate into the ground and are also often covered in residues from vehicle traffic and other human activities. Rainwater and melt-off instead wash over these surfaces, taking with them the contaminants. The increased runoff can clog drain systems, erode natural watercourses, flush pollutants into nearby rivers and lakes, and even cause flooding.
Do Your Part
Pollutants carried in stormwater runoff are quickly becoming a leading cause of water pollution in our rivers and lakes. That’s because all water and contaminates that enter storm drains go directly into our environment; storm drains are NOT designed to treat water.
The Wenatchee Valley Stormwater Technical Advisory Committee was formed between Chelan County, Douglas County and the cities of Wenatchee and East Wenatchee. Together they developed a regional stormwater program, a hotline for illegal dumping into storm drains and an informational website for the public.
To do your part, follow these 12 tips to prevent debris and pollutants from entering our storm drains:
Wash vehicles at the carwash – not on the street or driveway.
Use fertilizers sparingly on your lawn.
Set sprinklers to water the lawn and garden only – not pavement.
Pick up and dispose of pet waste properly.
Keep litter out of the storm drain system. If you see it, pick it up.
Dispose of motor oil, antifreeze and other automobile fluids at the Chelan County Moderate Risk Waste Facility. Check your vehicle routinely to make sure it is not leaking fluids.
Dispose of yard debris properly through yard recycling, compost bins or transport to a local brush drop-off site.
Sweep grass clippings and yard debris into piles for collection. Do not hose them down the drain.
Direct downspouts and rain gutters AWAY from paved surfaces.
Dispose of all RV waste properly at RV dumping stations.
Use a nozzle on a garden hose to prevent water runoff when not in use.
Evaporate rinse water from painting supplies and dispose of your waste.
For more tips, visit the Wenatchee Valley Stormwater Management Program website.
And remember, there is no difference between pouring pollutants down a storm drain and dumping them directly into a river.
Stormwater Management Plans & Reports
Chelan County Public Works, in addition to the Department of Ecology and the Environmental Protection Agency, is responsible for stormwater management in unincorporated Chelan County. In carrying out this responsibility, Chelan County Public Works plans, designs, and secures permits for new public drainage facilities, reviews private drainage system designs and maintains existing public storm drainage and surface water management facilities. The following plans and reports outline the county’s stormwater efforts:
Posted: 10/30/2014 03:56 PM
Last Updated: 03/25/2024 01:06 PM
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The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
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The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
PLEASE NOTE: FTP browsing is no longer supported on the latest browsers, please refer below to acccess our FTP content.
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By clicking continue, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to this disclaimer.
The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
By clicking continue, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to this disclaimer.
The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
By clicking continue, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to this disclaimer.
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Pollutants carried in stormwater runoff are quickly becoming a leading cause of water pollution in our rivers and lakes. That’s because all water and contaminates that enter storm drains go directly into our environment; storm drains are NOT designed to treat water.