Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What exactly is stormwater?
A: Stormwater is rainwater or melted snow or hail. Water from any source but the sky is not considered stormwater.

Q: Is it okay if rain runs from my gutters, yard, or driveway into the street drains?
A: No. All the stormwater that falls on your property is supposed to stay on your property.

Q: Is there anything I can do if I see pollution going down a storm drain from somewhere other than my property?
A: Yes. Call (509) 625-7999 to report any illicit discharges.

Q: Why does stormwater pollution even matter? Doesn’t it just go to the water treatment plant?
A: Not necessarily. In the 1980s, separate storm sewer lines were constructed. These lines cover a large part of the city and they take stormwater directly into the Spokane River. Pollutants in this water have severe health and environmental consequences.

Q: Can stormwater pollution affect my drinking water?
A: Yes. Pollution can run from its source to the City’s storm system to the Spokane River, which flows into and out of the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, which provides our drinking water. Stormwater can also seep into the ground, potentially carrying pollutants with it down into the aquifer.