Waterway Protection

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) completed a long-range plan and comprehensive strategy to protect Seattle's waterways. The plan:

• Identifies areas of Seattle where projects are needed to reduce combined sewage overflows (CSOs)
• Evaluates solutions for reducing CSOs in these areas
• Identifies three additional areas where projects to reduce polluted stormwater runoff will improve water quality:
  • Arterial street sweeping expansion
  • South Park Water Quality Facility
  • Natural drainage systems partnering
• Recommends a schedule for designing and constructing projects (2015-2030)
• Estimates program costs and rate impacts on City customer bills
• Considers public and stakeholder input

Read the Plan

• Executive summary (pdf)
• Long-term Control Plan (pdf)
  • Appendices A-E - Long-term Control Plan (pdf)
  • Appendices F-I - Long-term Control Plan (pdf)
  • Appendices J-M - Long-term Control Plan (pdf)
• Final post-construction monitoring program for CSOs (pdf)
  • Errata Sheet for post-construction monitoring program for CSOs (pdf)
• Integrated Plan (pdf)
  • Appendices - Integrated Plan(pdf)
• Final environmental impact statement:
  • Notice of availability (pdf)
  • Draft environmental impact statement (pdf)
    • DEIS appendices (pdf)
  • Final addendum (pdf)
• Errata Sheets for Final Plan to Protect Seattle's Waterways (pdf)

The Consent Decree

The plan describes how SPU will meet the requirements of the consent decree agreed to with federal regulators. This will enable the City of Seattle to comply with the Clean Water Act and state regulations, protect our waterways, and sustain our quality of life.

Complete consent decree

Glossary of terms (pdf)