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Pollution Control Inspections
Questions & Answers About Pollution Control Inspections
Why is Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) inspecting businesses?
The City works with local businesses to reduce the amount of pollutants entering private and public storm drains, because these systems eventually discharge untreated water to nearby streams, lakes, and Puget Sound.
The City inspects businesses that connect to the city stormwater system and conduct any of eight high pollution-generating activities (see link at right). The Inspection team usually works in one or two watersheds at a time. Protecting water quality and promoting a healthy aquatic ecosystem, means preventing pollutants—such as sediment, oil, soap, and other chemicals—from reaching local waters.
When will an inspection take place?
If your business has been selected for an inspection, you may receive a letter or postcard of notification within one month of the inspection date or you may be called to set up an appointment. Once onsite, the inspector will make every effort to coordinate with the manager or owner to conduct the inspection.
What will happen on the day of an inspection?
An SPU surface water quality inspector will visit your business to identify potential sources of pollutants to the drainage system and will also observe your general housekeeping practices to make sure that you are using appropriate controls to prevent pollutants from entering any storm drains.
Where will the inspector be looking?
The inspector will mainly need to check the outdoor areas on your property where chemicals, waste, or equipment are stored and where manufacturing or other possible pollution-generating activities take place. In addition, the inspector will look at the drainage system on your property to make sure that it is in good shape.
In some cases, the inspector may need to check indoor areas to determine if they are connected to the drainage system. Inspectors will provide you with information on best management practices that are effective in reducing stormwater pollution.
How will I know the results of the inspection?
Within two weeks of your inspection, you will receive a follow-up letter letting you know that either your pollution-control efforts are satisfactory, or that problems were found. If problems need correcting, the letter will also include:
- • A brief description of any problem(s)
- • Recommendations for correcting the problem(s)
- • Information about how to minimize the amount of pollutants discharged from your property
It will also specify a date when the inspector will return to re-inspect your property to verify that the corrective actions have been implemented.
What if corrective actions are needed?
As the property owner, you are responsible for making any corrections needed to comply with the City Code, which will be described in the follow up letter.
Re-inspections will be scheduled as needed to ensure those necessary improvements or corrective actions are completed. The re-inspection date will be determined based on the severity of the problem(s) found during the inspection, but are generally about 30 days from the inspection. Corrective actions should be completed before the re-inspection.
What happens if corrective action is not taken?
As the property owner, you are responsible for any corrections needed to comply with the City Code. If compliance is not achieved in a timely manner, a Notice of Violation may be issued that could result in a fine of up to $500 for each day the violation continues.
Free stormwater information and on-site assistance is also available through the Resource Venture, a partnership between Seattle Public Utilities and the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce at (206) 389-7304 or at their Web site, below.
Related links
To help businesses keep their drainage systems in good repair, the City also conducts Maintenance Inspections.
Links to other sites
Resource Venture - Stormwater Pollution Prevention Publications.
Seattle Source Control Technical Requirements Manual (PDF) - Describes City of Seattle requirements for operational and structural source controls to reduce stormwater pollution.
Seattle Department of Planning and Development
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