Source Control Program

Public Hearing

A public hearing will be held at the Planning Commission meeting on May 25, 2022 at 6:00pm.

Supporting Documents

• Draft Ordinance 4023: Amendment of AMC Chapter 18.30 Illicit Discharges and Connections to the Stormwater Drainage System
• Western Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit (Section S5.C.8 Source Control Program for Existing Development begins on page 28)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Source Control?

Source Control is stopping pollution before it enters the storm system. Rain water picks up what it touches, like oil or excess fertilizer, and washes it into the Salish Sea. Source control aims to reduce contamination from everyday business activities that could create spills or wash pollution into our storm system.

Polluted runoff from an individual site may appear minor to the owner or to the public, but the combined pollution from all commercial, industrial, and other activities that is collected and discharged to the waterways has negative impacts on salmon, orcas, and all species that depend on water quality in the Salish Sea. It is much easier and cost effective to stop the pollution before it enters the storm system than to try to remove it from the stormwater.

Why is the City starting a Source Control Program and how does it work?

The City is required to implement a Source Control Program as a requirement of the City's Municipal Phase II Stormwater Permit issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology.

A City inspector may come to your business to conduct a Source Control inspection. The inspector will be looking at the outdoor areas for possible sources of pollution.

The Source Control Program is focused on first providing education and technical assistance to businesses. Many source control issues can be resolved with implementing best management practices (BMPs) that are typically behavior based (such as making sure that dumpster lids remain closed) or taking simple steps like providing secondary containment for any chemicals stored outdoors. Larger retrofits will only be required if operational changes do not prevent illicit discharges to the storm drainage system.

Where can I find additional information on pollution prevention for my business?

A great resource for BMPs is the Department of Ecology's 2019 Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington. Volume IV contains useful Source Control BMPs and may be found here.

Commonly used BMPs include:

• Preventative Maintenance/Good Housekeeping
• Spill Prevention and Cleanup
• Spills of Oil and Hazardous Substances
• Washing and Steam Cleaning Vehicles/Equipment/Building Structures
• Storage of Liquid, Food Waste, or Dangerous Waste Containers
• Storage of Liquids in Permanent Aboveground Tanks
• Storage or Transfer (Outside) of Solid Raw Materials, Byproducts, or Finished Products
• Parking and Storage of Vehicles and Equipment
• Landscaping and Lawn/Vegetation Management
• Dust Control at Manufacturing Areas
• Storage of Dry Pesticides and Fertilizers
• Irrigation
• Fueling at Dedicated Stations
• Loading and Unloading Areas for Liquid or Solid Material
• In-Water and Over-Water Fueling
• Building, Repair, and Maintenance of Boats and Ships
• Maintenance and Repair of Vehicles and Equipment
• Manufacturing Activities (Outside)
• Construction Demolition
• Fertilizer Application
• Building, Repair, Remodeling, Painting, and Construction

What if I already have a NPDES Industrial Stormwater Permit with the Department of Ecology?

The proposed code amendment clarifies that implementation of all stormwater Best Management Practices required by a NPDES Industrial Stormwater Permit or State Waste Discharge Permit is considered compliance with the City's Source Control Program.

Questions?

For additional questions, please contact Diane Hennebert, Stormwater Program Manager, at dianeh@cityofanacortes.org or (360) 661-3747.