We want to hear from you!
Read about our program report and plans in our 2025 Stormwater Management Plan, West Hylebos Stormwater Management Action Plan, and 2024 NPDES Annual Report. Please share your thoughts about it with us by emailing us at SWM@federalwaywa.gov. Thank you for your feedback!
NPDES Stormwater Permit
Federal Way operates under the Western Washington Phase II National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Stormwater Permit. The Permit allows municipalities to discharge stormwater runoff from municipal drainage systems into the State’s water bodies (i.e., streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands, etc.) as long as municipalities implement Stormwater Management Programs to regulate the discharge of stormwater from the City's stormwater drainage system. These required practices, specified in the Permit, are collectively referred to as the Stormwater Management Program.
The Permit requires the City to develop a plan to implement the Stormwater Management Program called the Stormwater Management Program Plan (or SWMP). The SWMP Plan is a comprehensive document that outlines how Federal Way will manage and reduce the pollution caused by stormwater runoff within its jurisdiction. The SWMP is intended to ensure that we are taking appropriate actions to comply with the Permit's conditions. This plan is updated annually and submitted with the annual report.
The NPDES Municipal Stormwater Permit and SWMP is organized according to the following sections:
- Stormwater Planning
- Public Education and Outreach
- Public Involvement and Participation
- Mapping and Documentation
- Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
- Controlling Runoff from New Development, Redevelopment, and Construction Sites
- Stormwater Management for Existing Development
- Source Control Program for Existing Development
- Operations and Maintenance
- Monitoring and Assessment