SAM's source control studies are focused on learning which actions by permittees and businesses in Western Washington are key to preventing illicit discharges. We are also gaining a better understanding of how to detect sources of pollution to stormwater.
We are looking for new projects for this permit cycle see our
process for new projects below.
What are we learning?
Stormwater Action Monitoring (SAM) contracted three source identification (ID) projects during the 2013-2019 permit term. SAM source ID projects can occur at site or regional scales and the results can be used across jurisdictions.
Source ID Trainings
As part of a SAM project to update the
2013 Illicit Connection and Illicit Discharge (IC/ID) Field Screening and Source Tracing Manual, municipal government staff will have eight opportunities to attend training on updated IDDE field methods in late 2019 - early 2020. Tentative locations: Bellingham, Everett, Poulsbo, Snoqualmie, Redmond, Renton, Olympia, and Vancouver
(subject to change until flyer completed).
Completed SAM source identification studies
Illicit discharge detection and elimination (IDDE) incidents are recorded by Western Washington municipal stormwater permittees in many formats. The first SAM source identification project compiled the IDDE incidents reported to Ecology from 2014 into a dataset of almost 3,000 incidents. This represents a first step in capturing the breadth and scale of incident investigation work.
Key findings
- A wide variety of methods are used by permittees to report IDDE efforts to Ecology, requiring a significant effort to compile and learn about local efforts, resource needs, and common solutions. Standardization of reporting is recommended; for example, by spreadsheet.
- Municipal stormwater staff invest a substantial amount of time investigating and addressing potential incidents. Response is quick, usually within one to three days.
- The most common stormwater problems were:
- Petroleum hydrocarbons and other vehicle fluids — often from accidents
- Sediment from construction sites
- Chemicals from industrial activities
- Sewage from illicit connections
- Most incidents were reported to local governments via hotlines or citizen calls. A significant number of incidents investigated were not illicit discharges, but allowable discharges. Permittees will continue to spend time and effort on such calls.
In 2016-17 the Stormwater Work Group's Source Identification Subgroup revised the illicit discharge detection and elimination (IDDE)
recommendations for which fields should be in the form for consideration by Ecology's permit managers. This revision should help standardize data collection for the next permit cycle.
SAM source identification projects
The following projects are now underway. The third project is approved by SWG and needs a study lead.
What is the process for new projects?
The Stormwater Work Group (SWG) is wrapping up a year-long stakeholder process to select the SAM study topics for the next permit term. The SWG's caucuses and technical subgroups met to discuss and further narrow the list of topics developed at the February 2019 SAM priorities workshop. The SWG will recommend a final list of study topics at their June 5, 2019 meeting. A third solicitation process will begin in fall 2019 using topics recommended by the SWG in June 2019. New projects might begin as soon as fall 2020.