The City has completed a number of major drainage projects over the last several years and continues to make significant improvements to our stormwater system to reduce flood risk in the Kent Valley.

Despite our best efforts, we continue to experience flooding throughout the city during winter storm events and extended periods of heavy rain. We know that this can be frustrating, and our crews work all year to mitigate this flooding as much as possible. We do this by: 

• Inspecting and cleaning catch basins and pipes
• Removing built up sediment
• Cleaning detention and filter vaults
• Replacing manhole and catch basin castings
• Replacing damaged and failing pipe
• Installing new catch basins and pipe where we can.

In preparation for the winter season we have annual cleaning that we perform at various locations all over the city. 

We perform our maintenance all year to ensure that when the rains come, our system works properly. The unfortunate truth is that regardless of how much preventative maintenance we do, Kent Valley is prone to flooding, which is why during flood events our crews work tirelessly to respond and react to any problems that arise around the city. Sometimes we can alleviate the problem, and sometimes all we can do is let people know.

James Street & Mill Creek

What is Stormwater?

Stormwater is the rain and melted snow and ice that falls onto our landscapes ad flows off rooftops, streets, bare soils, and all other exposed surfaces. These surfaces contain pollutants, such as pet waste, dirt, litter, chemicals, and vehicle fluids, that are picked up by the stormwater runoff as it travels over land. The stormwater and pollutants are then captured in the storm system through inlets and catch basins, where it travels, often untreated, into local waterbodies such as ponds, creeks, lakes, rivers, and the Puget Sound. That is why it is so important to stop pollution at its source and keep it from entering the storm system and therefore our local waterbodies. 

The Storm Drainage Division's primary activities include:

• Perform biennial inspections of almost 20,000 catch basins within the City of Kent.
• Perform annual inspections of over 60 stormwater storage and filter vaults and over 350 stormwater storage ponds within the City of Kent.
• Clean and repair any catch basins, vaults, and ponds that are found not to meet our standards during the annual and biennial inspections. 

• Systematically clean and inspect over 300 miles of storm pipe throughout the city to ensure that our infrastructure is draining properly and that there is no structural damage or failures within the system.
• Inspect and maintain outfalls that drain Public drainage into waters of the state.
• Inspect and maintain over 150 miles of stormwater ditch line.
• Use backhoes and excavators to dig out build-up of material in stormwater storage ponds and stormwater ditch lines. 
• Perform spot repairs and pipe replacements of damaged and failing storm pipe.
• Assess and alleviate localized urban flooding during rain events.
• Use grader to maintain shoulders to allow water to run off road.
• Respond to drainage related service requests citywide.
• Install catch basins and storm pipe in areas where there is not sufficient drainage.
• Respond to spills within the City of Kent
• Save Ducklings

Only rain down the drain! Polluted water is harmful to plants, animals, and humans alike, and we all need clean water to survive. Therefore, everyone must to do their part to keep pollutants out of our waterways.

What is a Pollutant?

Any material that enters the stormwater drainage system other than rainwater can be considered a pollutant, including common household cleaners, vehicle fluids and wash water, paint, dirt, and pet waste.

What is a Spill?

A spill is a release of a pollutant, or non-stormwater substance, that causes imminent threat to human health, the environment, or the stormwater drainage system.

Some common sources of spills are:

• Vehicle accidents releasing fluids
• Poor best management practices
• Accidental spills
• Intentional discharge of pollutants that could enter the storm system

When a spill reaches the public stormwater drainage system, it becomes an illicit discharge and the responsible parties can be liable for fines and the cost of cleanup per Kent City Code (KCC) Chapter 7.14 – Illicit Discharges.

Report Pollution and Flooding

You can report a spill or an illicit discharge by using our KentWorks portal or by calling our spill hotline at 253-856-5600.  Excessive litter or dumping of trash and debris that does not impact the storm system should be reported as dumping/litter.

We have staff available to respond 24/7, you can reach our dispatch anytime after hours by calling 253-856-5600 and selecting option 1.

If a spill looks flammable, call 911 immediately. 

Homeowners should never fill in, obstruct, or alter drainage ditches in any way which would reduce the capacity for conveying storm water.

It is important that all City ditches be kept clear of obstructions that would  impede the flow of water.  Please do not dump grass clippings, leaves or other debris into/or adjacent to storm water ditches, channels or swales.  At times, natural obstructions such as trees or tree limbs, beaver dams, brush or bushes may fall into ditches. These obstructions, if left unattended, may cause a ditch to become clogged and overflow. Please report any dumping or obstructions via our KentWorks app or by calling 253-856-5600.