Drainage Utility Projects and Maintenance

Stormwater Outfall Volume Reduction Program

The City’s Drainage Utility was tasked by the Mayor and City Council to evaluate the stormwater system and implement runoff improvement projects. The Stormwater Outfall Volume Reduction Program was created to evaluate the watershed within our Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) boundaries and develop solutions to reduce the amount of stormwater runoff that direct injects into our surface waters. 

Our first project consisted of diverting stormwater runoff from a 215-acre city drainage area that discharged directly to the Spokane River. A 24-inch pipe across US-95 was installed to divert the stormwater flow and discharge to a 2-acre open field that has been converted into an infiltration / detention basin. Three berms and 20 drywells were installed to provide  treatment and infiltration.