Surface Water/Stormwater Design and Construction Requirements

The City of Vancouver’s Surface Water Management team reviews new development and redevelopment activities and ensures compliance with federal, state and local codes and ordinances to provide water quality treatment and control of stormwater runoff, while also working to protect riparian areas and water bodies within the City limits. To that end, the program provides technical guidance, comprehensive planning, and sound engineering to safely move flood waters and drainage in a manner that prevents negative water quality impacts, provides fish passage and habitat, promotes recreation opportunities and enhances community aesthetics.

These goals are met through planning and prioritizing capital improvements, acquiring wetland and flood plain properties where needed, developing regional water quality and detention facilities, working with the development community to meet requirements through use of best management practices and best available technology.

Proper design of catch basins, pipes, curbs and other surface water conveyance infrastructure as well as use of water quality and control structures can prevent flooding, reduce maintenance costs and protect the environment. Additionally, erosion prevention, in and adjacent to construction sites, has a great impact on the quality of surface water runoff and protects the long term viability of infiltration systems.

Storm sewer systems and on-site drainage systems are designed to handle surface water from various sources including street, roof and footing drainage. Storm drains in the City of Vancouver are separate from the sanitary sewer system.

Erosion Control Requirements

Erosion prevention, in and adjacent to construction sites, has a great impact on the quality of surface water runoff and protects the long-term viability of infiltration systems. The use of erosion control best management practices is required on all construction sites to protect our water bodies, groundwater and surface water.