During extended periods of heavy rain, many property owners experience flooding and standing water on their property. Being aware of the location and function of stormwater facilities on your property and in your neighborhood is the first step to prevent flooding. Much of the flooding on private property is the caused by either a lack of maintenance of stormwater facilities, or due to high groundwater. 

*City Staff are available to provide technical guidance on maintaining private stormater facilities, but we cannot provide engineering services or resolve private property issues.

If you are experiencing flooding or standing water on your property, here are a few things to consider before contacting the City for assistance:

1.  How is surface water supposed to flow off your property and where does it go?

• If the normal flow path of water has been altered or obstructed, clearing the obstruction or reestablishing the flow path can be a simple solution. When the leaves drop in the fall, many people experience flooding due to catch basins being covered by leaves. Sometimes the solution is simply clearing leaves from catch basin lids so water can drain as it should.

2.  What type of stormwater facilities are on your property?

2. Know your stormwater facility types and locations

• Get a site plan or map of your storm system that includes the private stormwater facilities you need to inspect and maintain. If you don't have one, you can contact the City to request an existing site plan or as-built drawings.
• Familiarize yourself with the different types of stormwater facilities you have on your site and what to look for during the inspection.

3. Gather materials

The materials needed depends on the type of stormwater facilities in your private stormwater system.

• Probe – If your system only contains type 1 and shallow type 2 catch basins, you can find 8' garden stakes from a local garden or hardware store for a reasonable price. For deeper type 2 catch basins and vaults, you may need an extendable probe such as this painter’s pole.
• Flashlight – A good quality flashlight can be used to see inside structures without having to open the lid. A flashlight is also helpful for deeper structures or to see inside pipes and detention pipes.
• Extendable mirror 
• Lid hook to open catch basin lids
• Hex key or impact driver to remove bolts, if necessary 

4. Complete the inspection of your stormwater system

• Inspect facilities using the City of Kent Maintenance Standards for common facilities such as catch basins, ponds, bioswales, and vaults.
• For all other facilities, refer to Appendix A of the King County Surface Water Design Manual.
• Inspect the inside and outside of catch basins.
• Use a probe to measure the amount of sediment in the sump - see details below.
• Use a flashlight to assess the structural integrity of the walls.
• Use a mirror and flashlight to look inside pipes. In depth storm pipe assessment requires hiring a contractor to video the lines. However, looking at the visible end of the pipes can give you an idea of the condition and need for cleaning.

5. Create and follow a maintenance plan

• Inspecting your private stormwater system should be part of your routine maintenance as a home or business owner - just as you would inspect your gutters, smoke detectors, and chimney, you should regularly inspect your storm system
• Keep records of the inspections completed and maintenance performed on your system. Understanding the type and frequency of maintenance can help you budget for repairs ahead of time and avoid surprise assessment fees.
• Create a long-term maintenance plan to allow for budgeting. It is usually easier (or cheaper, if hiring a contractor) to perform maintenance in the summer, so plan accordingly and ensure your system is prepared to function properly through the winter.

Property owners are expected to review legal real estate documents to be aware of ownership and maintenance responsibilities regarding private stormwater facilities. Properties with private stormwater facilities should have a stormwater facility maintenance covenant, which is a legal contractual agreement that requires property owners to adequately operate and maintain private stormwater facilities.

Covenants usually include the following requirements:

• Regular inspection of facilities (at least once a year)
• Maintenance of facilities as necessary
• Compliance with the Kent Surface Water Design Manual
• Compliance with Kent City Code
• Pollution Prevention
• Access for City staff to inspect facilities

Here is a sample Stormwater Facility Maintenance Covenant.

Wondering if your property has a covenant? Check the King County Recorder’s Office.

No. In Kent, they are two completely different systems. Wastewater from your sinks, showers, and toilets is discharged into the sewer system and treated before being released into Puget Sound. Stormwater entering the storm drains flows directly to local streams, lakes, and wetlands, often with minimal or no treatment.

Stormwater facilities collect and convey, control the flow, or treat stormwater. A stormwater system includes a combination of stormwater facilities that operate together to convey stormwater from the point of origin to a discharge point such as local lakes and rivers. The term "stormwater system," is often used to refer to the stormwater facilities on one private property or the whole publicly owned and operated stormwater system. 

Everyone benefits from a properly functioning stormwater system. Private stormwater systems convey stormwater from private property to the public stormwater system owned and operated by the City. Both private and public stormwater systems must work properly to protect against flooding and water pollution. State law prohibits the use of stormwater utility fees to operate or maintain private stormwater systems. The City works with private property owners to provide inspections and guidance on the maintenance and operation of private systems. For questions regarding a private stormwater system call 253-856-5500. 

If water is running onto your property, you may choose to intercept and divert the water away from your property using ditches or subsurface drains. When surface water follows the natural flow path and causes negative impacts to downstream properties, it is usually the impacted landowner who is responsible for mitigating damage to their own property. If there is a dispute between neighbors regarding surface water runoff, it is a civil matter, and you should consult an attorney; the City cannot resolve private property issues. 

Biodegradable, environmentally safe, and low phosphate soaps are still harmful to the environment, but soap is not the only pollutant in vehicle wash water. It also contains dirt, road grime, oils, and heavy metals, all which damage water quality and harm fish. When washing vehicles on impervious surfaces, soap and pollutants from the vehicle are washed into the stormwater system and eventually end up in local waterbodies. Biodegradable soaps require the microorganisms in soil to break down properly, so even if you use a biodegradable soap, you should wash your car on the lawn or a grassy area where the soap and pollutants can filter through the soil instead of washing into the stormwater system. If you can’t do this, it is best to take your car to a commercial carwash where the water is either recycled or sent to the sanitary sewer to be treated.