BI to look at projects to improve water quality

By Steven Powell • February 19, 2024 1:30 am

The Bainbridge Island City Council was scheduled to talk about four projects that have to do with clean water at its meeting Feb. 20.

The meeting was after this newspaper’s deadline.

One had to do with new state regulations on stormwater pollution. City papers say it has until June 30 to make and comply with a plan to reduce runoff pollution, such as around dumpsters and parking lots, and vehicle and equipment washing.

Best practices include: spill plan kits and training, sweeping pavement, covered dumpsters, utility sinks and grease interceptors. Preliminary inventory shows 133 building sites and 100 food and drink establishments, with 20% needed to be inspected each year. The efforts will prolong the life of the wastewater treatment plant and reduce maintenance, city documents say.

Education outreach will begin in June as the city works with businesses on pretreatment options for fats, oils and grease to reduce them from entering city systems.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting there was to be a presentation on the Manzanita Watershed.

State law requires watersheds to be prioritized in a stormwater recovery plan. Law says there needs to be enough water in streams and rivers to protect fish and other resources. Manzanita is the highest rated on BI due to salmon, wetlands and groundwater recharge areas. Due to development in the area, there has been streambed erosion, culvert issues, minor flooding and low flows in summer, documents say.

To recover streamflow, city papers say runoff needs to be mitigated on private property from roofs, driveways and lawns, along with on public property like roads and farmlands. A park at a cost of up to $1 million is one example of a a mitigation technique.

The council also planned to discuss funding for the Springbrook Creek Fish Passage on Fletcher Bay Road west of New Brooklyn Road. A concrete culvert and poor fish weir are bad for the salmon-cutthroat spawning habitat area. Cost to fix is $6.4 million. The project last year received an almost $2.6 million federal grant. It could get another $1 million in a state grant, but any more than that is not likely, documents say. The council will talk about making up the difference with a Storm and Surface Water Fund.

Finally, the council also was to receive an update on the Groundwater Management Plan with goals to ensure clean and sufficient water, reduce climate change impacts and develop community understanding.