Storm and Surface Water Utility System Maintenance

Storm and Surface Water Utility Management (SSWM) fee dollars help to pay for City staff, equipment, and materials needed for inspecting, operating, and maintaining the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) infrastructure.. MS4 infrastructure collects, conveys, stores, and in some cases provides treatment of stormwater before it is discharged to surface waters, namely Puget Sound. 

The SSWM Fee also helps to pay for inventorying and mapping built MS4 infrastructure and natural features (i.e., wetlands and creeks), and for preparing and documenting all storm and surface water management activities planned and achieved by the City.

The Public Works Department is responsible for the MS4 as permitted under the City’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit. Public Works staff work conscientiously to keep Bainbridge Island’s MS4 working effectively as designed to prevent and reduce flooding and pollution for human and environmental safety.