The Surface Water Utility prepares Surface Water Master Plans (Master Plans) to address drainage and water quality challenges associated with growth, increasing regulations, and aging infrastructure. Master Plans guide the Surface Water Utility (Utility) for five to ten years and include recommendations for capital improvements, programs, and a financial plan for long-term asset management. An updated 2025 Master Plan will be presented to City Council on September 8, 2025. More information on the current Master Plan and the Master Planning process is available on the the Surface Water Master Plan webpage.

Learn more about how our work is protecting our natural waters, wildlife, and community!

The 2025-26 Surface Water Utility Annual Report shares accomplishments from the past year, ways to get involved and make a difference, projects planned for 2026, and updated utility rates and budget.

The Washington State Department of Ecology requires the City of Shoreline to implement a Stormwater Management Action Planning (SMAP) process as outlined in the Western Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit. The purpose of the SMAP process is to improve water quality in a specific basin by prioritizing actions on the land that drains to it.

 The City of Shoreline's SMAP process resulted in selecting Boeing Creek as its priority basin. You can find more information on the SMAP process, how Boeing Creek was selected, and priority stormwater actions to protect Boeing Creek in the plan: City of Shoreline Stormwater Management Action Plan (SMAP). 

With the support of a Department of Ecology grant, the City developed the Echo Lake Cyanobacteria Management Plan to understand the causes of and reduce harmful algal blooms in Echo Lake. The plan identifies that excessive nutrients are the main cause of the blooms and suggest three long-term solutions: Oxygen Saturation Technology (OST), chemical treatments, and pollution prevention practices and programs.

• Fact sheet
• 2024 Echo Lake Cyanobacteria Management Plan 

The Federal Government requires cities and counties to take specific actions to reduce pollution to  streams, lakes,  Puget Sound, and other natural waterways. These actions are identified in the NPDES Permit (also known as the Western WA Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit). The purpose of the Permit is to reduce pollution from urban areas to protect natural waterways. 

To learn how we met our NPDES Permit requirements last year, view the 2024 NPDES Annual Report. 

Each year, we publish a Stormwater Management Program Plan and invite the public to provide feedback. 

This plan summarizes planned projects and programs for the upcoming year to meet NPDES Permit requirements and protect natural waterways. Shoreline community members can provide comments on this plan at any time. 

Read the 2025 Stormwater Management Program Plan
Comment on the 2025 Stormwater Management Program Plan

The Environmental Protection Agency issues the NPDES Permit. Washington State Department of Ecology and acts as the regulatory authority in Washington State. The full permit can be viewed on the Department of Ecology website.