The City of Redmond’s Wellhead Protection Ordinance established a November 2008 deadline to evaluate and upgrade stormwater infiltration systems located in areas closest to Redmond’s drinking water wells.

The Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) requires registration of many of these same infiltration systems early next year. To reduce redundant registration requirements, the city has proposed to change its ordinance to coordinate its registration date with DOE, that date being Feb. 3, 2009.

This proposed ordinance change will be reviewed by City Council and a final decision will be made on Oct. 21.

It will give business owners and operators more time to complete their registration. Following registration with the DOE and the city, businesses will have until Feb. 3, 2011 to perform an assessment of their stormwater systems to ensure protection of the groundwater resource.

“Over the next several months the city will collaborate with local businesses and property owners to formulate reasonable compliance expectations for their stormwater infiltration systems,” said Kevin Murphy, the Wellhead Protection Program lead.

The city will send a letter with more information to all known businesses and owners that have stormwater infiltration systems, which include drywells, perforated-pipe french drains and infiltration ponds.

To find out more about the proposed ordinance changes, or to register your storm system, visit www.redmond.gov/groundwater or contact Murphy at (425) 556-2756.