City of Shoreline
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More Information
Expand the links below to learn more about Spill Responses, Drainage and Flooding, Federal and State Stormwater Regulations (NPDES Permit), and view Drainage Maps.
Spill Response Program
Call City Hall (206) 801-2700 to report spills or dumping.
We will respond every day, at any time (24/7).
The City responds to spills to stop pollution from reaching our local waterways. Common types of spills include:
- oil, gas, or other fluids from cars
- construction debris or mud
- soapy car wash water
- paint
- cleaning and chemical products
When in doubt, please report the spill.
If you cause a spill that flows to parking lots, roads, ditches, storm drains, or water bodies, you are required by law to report it within 24 hours. Reporting spills immediately is critical to preventing water pollution.
When reporting a spill, please provide:
- material that spilled
- estimated volume of material that spilled
- your contact information
- exact address or cross streets of the spill
- an initial assessment of the situation (have any drains been impacted)
- what time it happened or when you first observed the spill
Learn how to properly clean up a spill:
- Spill Clean Up Procedures (PDF)
- Spill Best Practices (Word Document)
- How to clean up a spill(training video)
Most spills are preventable. Having a spill plan helps your business prevent and respond to spills effectively. Use this template to create a spill plan:
If you are a Shoreline business, you may qualify for a free spill kit and help in developing a spill plan. Visit the Small Business Assistance Program page to learn more.
To find out how you can help prevent flooding on your street or property, visit these pages:
Identifying a Drainage Problem
Drainage problems can cause significant damage to your home, property, and the City of Shoreline storm drain system. It is important to identify and correct drainage problems when they occur. Before starting any drainage improvements on your property, fully identify all parts of your current drainage system. Create a detailed map of your property, showing all impervious surfaces and drainage features. Shoreline’s Public Works Department can provide information on the City’s storm drainage system in your area, which you could use to determine how your current system is connected to the City’s system and for the installation of additional components.
If you are in need of assistance please contact the City at (206) 801-2700.
Tips to Prevent Drainage Problems
To reduce the amount of impervious surface area on your property and decrease the amount of stormwater runoff, consider alternatives when planning new patios, paths, or driveways. Paving blocks, porous asphalt, or other permeable materials can infiltrate water (see page 11 of the Green Home Remodel Guide: Managing Rainwater).
Below are additional tips to avoid future drainage problems:
- Sweep your driveway instead of washing. This saves water and keeps dirt out of your drainage system.
- Avoid the use of wood chip mulch around drain inlets or swales. The wood chips float and can be easily moved by runoff water.
- Use caution when planting trees or shrubs. The roots may grow into underground drainage pipes disrupting your drainage system.
- Install a removable connection between your downspouts and roof drains. Disconnecting downspouts during cleaning will help keep debris out of your drainage system.
- Add screens on gutters to help keep debris out of your drainage system.
- Help to keep catch basin inlets clear by keeping leaves off of the grates.
Drainage On Your Property
You, as a property owner, are responsible for the installation and maintenance of necessary drainage structures on your property. If your drainage problems seem too big for you to correct, there is professional help available.
There are many contractors and engineering firms that specialize in drainage problems. They can be searched for using key words "drainage contractors" and "engineers – drainage."
The City of Shoreline requires homeowners to obtain building or grading permits before certain drainage projects begin. To find out more information about permit requirements, contact the City’s Planning and Community Development Department at (206) 801-2500.
Surface Water Small Works Program
The Small Works drainage program addresses small drainage problems within the City’s right-of-way. A public right-of-way is any sidewalk, planting strip, alley, street or pathway, improved or unimproved, that is dedicated to public use.
Surface Water Utility Small Works Projects are small capital improvement projects that address smaller drainage issues in neighborhoods all over the City. The Surface Water Utility generally constructs two to three projects each year.
Western WA Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit (NPDES Permit)
The federal government requires the City of Shoreline to take specific actions to reduce pollution to natural waterways. These actions are identified in the Western Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit (also known as the NPDES Permit). The purpose of the NPDES Permit is to reduce pollution from urban areas and protect natural waterways.
To learn more about how the City of Shoreline met our NPDES Permit requirements last year, view the City of Shoreline 2024 NPDES Annual Report.
Stormwater Management Program Plan
Each year, the Surface Water Utility publishes a Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) Plan and invites the public to provide feedback.
The SWMP Plan summarizes planned stormwater activities and projects that the City will carry out during that year. Shoreline residents and property owners can provide comments on the SWMP Plan at any time.
Read the 2025 Stormwater Management Program Plan
Submit Comments on the 2025 Stormwater Management Plan
The Utility provides stewardship opportunities for residents to get involved in reducing pollution and restoring stream habitat.
The Environmental Protection Agency issues the NPDES permit. Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) administers and acts as the regulatory authority in Washington State. The full permit can be viewed on the Department of Ecology website: NPDES Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit.
The maps below show the different watersheds within the City and the storm pipe and stream network. Click the links below to view maps of the drainage system in Shoreline:
- Stormwater Master Grid Updated 06/30/09 (41 mgs)
- Stormwater Grid North Central (NC) (52 mgs)
- Stormwater Grid North East (NE) (54 mgs)
- Stormwater Grid North West (NW) (51 mgs)
- Stormwater Grid South Central (SC) (52 mgs)
- Stormwater Grid South East (SE) (53 mgs)
- Stormwater Grid South West (SW) (52 mgs)
There are six major watersheds are located within the City of Shoreline boundary: Boeing, McAleer, Lyon, Thornton, Puget Sound Drainages, and West Lake Washington. McAleer, Lyon, Thornton, and West Lake Washington watersheds all eventually flow into Lake Washington. Boeing and the Puget Sound Drainages flow directly into Puget Sound.
A watershed or drainage basin is an area of land where water from rain and melting snow or ice drains downhill into a body of water, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean. Each drainage basin is separated topographically from adjacent basins by a geographical barrier, such as a ridge or hill, which is known as a water divide.
