Provide your thoughts on the 2026 Stormwater Management Program Plan

Published on February 18, 2026

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Each year, the city revises the Stormwater Management Program Plan to describe the city’s planned activities to comply with the Western Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit. This is our official playbook for protecting the Cedar River, Lake Washington, and your local neighborhood stream from pollution. 

Multiple city departments, including Public Works, Parks and Recreation, and Community and Economic Development, manage the city's stormwater systems through maintenance, programs, and policies to protect the community, wildlife, and bodies of water from pollutants. 

The interdepartmental team has the first draft of the 2026 Stormwater Management Plan ready for residents to review. Before it is finalized, let us know your thoughts by March 9.  

Learn more about the importance of stormwater management and why there is a plan for that below. 

 

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What is stormwater management?

Stormwater is rainwater. Stormwater runoff from streets, sidewalks, and driveways flows directly into storm drains and ditches to streams, wetlands, and lakes. This runoff washes pollutants into surface waters, harming water quality and fish habitat. 

 Stormwater management is important because: 

  • Prevents roads from flooding during heavy rainfall
  • Protects animals and their habitat
  • Protects streams, ponds, and lakes to allow for continued recreational use
  • Minimizes the pollutants that come from pollution 

 

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Why do we need a plan? 

The City of Renton is issued a Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit (NPDES) by the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology). The NPDES permit helps control and reduce pollutants through a mapped-out program. Through this permit, the city is responsible for creating a Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) and documenting the SWMP through a plan describing the planned activities for the following program components: 

  • Policy and strategy development to protect receiving waters.
  • Build residents' awareness of stormwater impacts, empower the public to change behaviors that can lead to less pollution, and provide opportunities for the public to contribute to the quality of life for the community.
  • Opportunities for the public to get involved in the development, implementation, and update of the SWMP and the Stormwater Management Action Plan (SMAP). 
  • Creation of maps and documentation of the storm sewer system in the city.
  • Plans to prevent and detect illegal discharges such as dumping, sewer overflow, and spills into the storm sewer system.   
  • Strategies to reduce pollutants in stormwater runoff from new developments, redevelopment, and construction site activities.
  • Control pollutants in stormwater runoff from areas of existing development. 
  • Strategies to prevent and reduce pollutant runoff from areas that discharge to the storm sewer system.
  • Regulating and conducting maintenance activities to prevent or reduce pollutant runoff.
  • Actions to meet Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requirements.
  • Actions to meet monitoring and assessment requirements. 

Find the draft plan for 2026 on our website.

 

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Tell us what you think! 

A plan is nothing without insights and feedback from the residents affected by the decisions it includes. Let us know what we should include in the 2026 draft. Provide your feedback on the city's website by March 9.  

Contact Us

Email

communications@rentonwa.gov

 

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