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About SPU
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Drainage & Sewer System
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Natural Drainage Systems
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Natural Drainage Overview
Natural Drainage Systems Overview
Natural drainage systems (NDS) are an innovative alternative to traditional stormwater management systems. The pipes and ditches of traditional drainage systems carry runoff with traces of everyday contaminants such as oil, paint, fertilizer, and heavy metals directly into creeks, lakes, and Puget Sound. The speed and volume of water coming out of pipes erodes stream channels. These problems decrease water quality, disrupt marine food chains, and negatively impact wildlife habitat.
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Natural drainage systems limit the negative impacts of stormwater runoff by redesigning residential streets to take advantage of plants, trees, and soils to clean runoff and manage stormwater flows. Vegetated swales, stormwater cascades, and small wetland ponds allow soils to absorb water, slowing flows and filtering out many contaminants.
Natural Drainage Projects
Street Edge Alternatives (SEA Streets)
This natural drainage pilot project was the first natural drainage system constructed by the City of Seattle. It was completed in the spring of 2001.
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110th Cascade
110th Cascade was completed in the spring of 2003. It is a series of stair-stepped natural pools that slow the flow of stormwater, reduce flooding, and filter pollutants before they reach Pipers Creek.
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Broadview Green Grid
This ambitious natural drainage system project provides stormwater improvements to a 32-acre sub-basin of Piper’s Creek watershed. Broadview Green Grid was completed in the spring of 2005.
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High Point
High Point is one of the largest redevelopment projects in Seattle’s recent history. The High Point NDS is the largest the City has undertaken and is the first natural drainage system to be used in a high density urban setting. The first phase of the High Point NDS was completed in the fall of 2005.
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Pinehurst Green Grid
This project covers 12 city blocks and combines neighborhood enhancements with a new stormwater system that improves the quality of runoff to Thornton Creek. Landscaping was completed in the spring of 2007.
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More Information
If you have questions after viewing this site, contact Drena Donofrio at drena.donofrio@seattle.gov.
Links to other sites
Low Impact Development - Learn how Puget Sound planners, developers, engineers and others are transitioning to an innovative approach to land development and stormwater management
Portions of this website were made possible by a grant from the Innovations in American Government Award, a program of the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and administered in partnership with the Council for Excellence in Government.
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