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1. What is stormwater?

Stormwater is rain and melting snow that runs off surfaces that cannot readily absorb water. These surfaces include rooftops, pavement, compacted gravel lots, and even frozen ground. Stormwater runoff picks up pollution, can cause erosion and flooding problems. These problems occur when we alter the land and change the way water moves through the landscape.

2. How does stormwater affect pollution?

As stormwater flows towards receiving waters such as streams, lakes, rivers or soaks into the aquifer, it picks up pollutants. These pollutants include things as sediment, airborne dust, pet waste, oil, grease, fertilizers, chemicals, litter and whatever else we leave on the ground or pour down our storm drains and grates. 

3. How does stormwater increase flooding?

As the City grows and more rooftops, driveways, streets and other hard or impervious surfaces are built, the land loses its capacity to soak up and carry away excess water. As a result, rain or snow events that might result in a flood once every 100 years in an undeveloped area can cause flooding every four or five years after development occurred.

4. What are ways to help prevent stormwater flooding and pollution?

• pick up pet waste
• keep your storm drains and grates clear of leaves and debris
• limit the use of chemicals at home and work
• avoid washing or pressure washing cars in driveways
• consider low impact development (LID) techniques like rain gardens, porous pavement, and rainwater harvesting that keep the water onsite 
• plant a tree to soak up rainwater and filter pollutants

5. What is a Media Filter?

A media filter is a type of filter that uses a bed of sand, compost, crushed granite or other material to filter water for drinking, swimming pools, irrigation, stormwater management and other applications. Media filters can remove pollutants in stormwater such as suspended solids, dissolved metals, oil & grease, and phosphorus. 

6. What is a Stormwater Treatment Wetland?

Stormwater treatment wetlands (a.k.a. constructed wetlands) are structural practices  that incorporate wetland plants in a shallow pool. As stormwater runoff flows through the wetland, pollutants settle and are broken down by biological process in the plants and soil. Wetlands are among the most effective stormwater practices in terms of pollutant removal, and also offer aesthetic value. Stormwater wetlands are fundamentally different from natural wetland systems. Stormwater wetlands are designed specifically for the purpose of treating stormwater runoff, and typically have less biodiversity than natural wetlands both in terms of plant and animal life.

7. How is the Stormwater Fee calculated?

The stormwater utility fee is based on the demand the property puts on the system. General Information on Redmond's Stormwater Utility and Stormwater Billing is in this publication:  Stormwater Utility Fee.

8. How are stormwater funds used?

The Stormwater Utility is financed with revenue generated by a stormwater utility fee that is charged to owners of developed property. 

Each developed parcel in the City is subject to the stormwater utility charge. Drainage from most properties enters or impacts the City stormwater system in some manner. These facilities, which are generally located on City streets, require continual maintenance and improvement.

The stormwater utility also supports capital improvement projects for flood control, erosion, conveyance improvements, and regional water quality or detention facilities. The utility also monitors the health of local streams, constructs habitat improvement projects, and responds to State and Federal regulatory and permitting requirements.

9. How do I pay my utility bill?

The City of Redmond offers a wide range of convenient payment options including:

• Online Payment (Visa or MasterCard) 
• Direct Debit Payment (Automatically pay your utility bill directly from your bank account)
• Payment by Phone (Visa or MasterCard) 
• Payment by Mail 
• Payment in Person

Make your payment and learn more on the Payment Options page.

10. What is being done to manage Stormwater?

WATERSHED PLANNING 

The City has been divided into 68 drainage areas – or watersheds – for study. We are taking a detailed look at each watershed to determine the best way to handle stormwater from existing and future development. Watershed plans will enable us to make better choices about how to plan, maintain, and construct our drainage systems so they can better meet the community's many needs.

MAINTENANCE 

We are improving the way we maintain ponds, swales, catch basins, drywells, ditches and culverts. We are mapping the location of each stormwater facility, monitoring their condition and tracking the time it takes to maintain them. This will help us determine which ones are working well, which ones aren't and which ones we need to replace immediately to save money.

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT AND AWARENESS 

We are informing the public about drainage systems, how they function and how to take care of them. This will help reduce threats to water quality and prevent flooding problems.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS 

Stormwater funds pay for construction of projects by City crews and contractors to repair or rehabilitate failed stormwater facilities and construct new regional facilities to better manage stormwater throughout the City. Stream restoration efforts rely on Stormwater Utility support to repair eroded areas, restore fish habitat, and enhance stream buffers.

11. How do I correct or change the billing address for my stormwater bill?

Please complete the following form and submit to the City:  Stormwater Request to Change Billing Address Form