Stormwater regulations adopted

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake City Council adopted ordinances concerning stormwater provisions and discharge elimination regulations.

The ordinances do not concern rate structures or utility fees. Council is required by the State Department of Ecology to adopt the ordinances to begin the process of implementing a stormwater treatment plan.

The ordinances were adopted on the first reading and require a second reading before they are officially adopted for enforcement.

The provisions include the Stormwater Management Manual for Eastern Washington, which defines several terms to be used in the future for the stormwater management plan. The terms are related to defining various types of properties, surfaces, what stormwater is and isn’t and defines enforcement.

Under the enforcement provision, violations against the stormwater management plan would be deemed a nuisance and would be handled in the same manner as any ordinance violation in the city.

Councilmember Bill Ecret motioned to approve the ordinance and Councilmember Brent Reese seconded. The motion was approved unanimously.

A second ordinance, the Illicit Detection and Discharge Elimination ordinance, also passed but with a 6-1 vote.

Councilmember Jon Lane motioned to approve the ordinance and Reese seconded. Councilmember Richard Pearce voted against the ordinance.

Pearce said some provisions in the ordinance seem too harsh.

The ordinance establishes regulations concerning stormwater discharge into the city’s system.

The ordinance defines what discharge is prohibited from the city’s system. The list includes trash grass clippings, leaves, construction material such as cement, concrete or soil, petroleum based products, antifreeze, sewage, food, flammable or explosive materials, paint materials, cleaning products, industrial waste water, animal feces, swimming pool water and yard chemicals.

Non-stormwater discharge, allowed under the ordinance, are air conditioning condensation, water from emergency firefighter activities and uncontaminated ground water. Some conditional non-stormwater discharges are also permitted such as water from potable sources, swimming pool water, if it is de-chlorinated to a certain concentration and pH level, and street and sidewalk wash water from a potable supply, as long as the streets were swept of debris prior to washing.

City staff advised some discharges are permitted as long as there is a grassy swell to absorb the water or the water is pre-treated.