Moses Lake approves stormwater regulations

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake City Council gave final approval to the stormwater provisions and regulations.

The ordinances do not establish the stormwater treatment utility or a rate, Municipal Services Director Gary Harer said.

The council approved two ordinances.

The first ordinance concerned provisions related to stormwater.

The provisions ordinance establishes various definitions to be used addressing stormwater. The provisions define construction activity, terms used to calculate impervious surface and various types of properties in the city affecting stormwater.

Councilmember Jon Lane motioned to approve the ordinance and Councilmember Brent Reese seconded. It passed unanimously.

The second ordinance concerned stormwater regulations concerning what is discharged into the system.

It defines what can’t be discharged into the system including trash, lawn clippings and shrubs, antifreeze and other auto products, sewage, certain chemicals, cleaning products, pesticides and animal feces.

The ordinance determines conditional non-stormwater discharge including discharge permitted by the Department of Ecology, water from potable sources and swimming pool water if it is de-chlorinated.

Lane motioned to approve the ordinance and Reese seconded.

Councilmember Richard Pearce said he would vote against it because one aspect of the ordinance is too harsh. He noted the waste disposal statement in the ordinance indicates people can’t have any refuse on their private property that could contaminate the stormwater system.

He said it is an intrusion on private property rights.

The ordinance passed with a 6-1 vote.