Surface Water Utility

Mount Vernon's miles of open streams and wetlands hold and carry stormwater along with underground pipes, regional stormwater facilities, and over 40 neighborhood stormwater storage sites. This system holds and carries stormwater to prevent flooding and erosion.

Where do your fees go?

In most of Mount Vernon, the storm drains discharge directly to creeks or streams and then into the Skagit River. To Report a spill - Call the Water Quality Hotline at (360) 336-6204.  Please do your part in helping to protect our waterways. Report any spill, illicit discharge, or illegal connection to our waterways or storm sewer system by calling the City's Water Quality Hotline. City staff understands the need for confidentiality, so calls can be anonymous. However, please provide as much detail as possible about the spill or illegal activity including date, time, location and description. In addition, a description of the pollutant will be helpful.

Keeping pollutants out of the water that flows to the storm drains is the best strategy for protecting our surface waters.

The City has also partnered with Skagit Conservation District (SCD) for public outreach and education opportunities. SCD will be presenting a Backyard Conservation Stewardship Short-Course to begin in Spring 2012.  Additional information on education and volunteering can be found at the district's website (www.skagitcd.org) or (360) 428-4313.

Skagit Conservation District Education & Outreach Presentation - Presented by Kristi Carpenter at the August 12, 2009, City of Mount Vernon Public Works Committee Meeting.

Puget Sound Starts Here!

NPDES Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit Program

Background

The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit for Western Washington was issued by the Department of Ecology in January of 2007 and went into effect in February.  The permit requires that all phase II municipalities create and implement a Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) which addresses five required program elements: 1) Public Education and Outreach, 2) Public Involvement and Participation, 3) Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination, 4) Construction Site Run-Off, 5) Operations and Maintenance of Post Construction Stormwater Facilities.  While the Permit went into effect in February of 2007, the permit itself phases program implementation requirements out over five years. 

What is NPDES?

The NPDES is a federal permit that regulates stormwater and wastewater discharges to waters of the State.  While it is a federal permit, the regulatory authority has been passed to Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology).

Stormwater Management Program (SWMP)

Mosquitoes

Your best action to prevent mosquito bites is personal protection. Wear long sleeves and long pants at dusk. Screen your windows. Use insect repellants containing DEET.

Of the 28 mosquito species that live in Skagit County, the one considered the primary carrier of West Nile virus breeds in the small pockets of standing water often found near homes and businesses. Clogged gutters, old tires, flowerpot trays, buckets, and birdbaths provide ideal breeding habitat with no predators. Removing or maintaining these pockets of water can stop mosquitoes at their source.

The City of Mount Vernon has a drainage facility maintenance program which is run every year from spring until fall.  A properly maintained drainage facility or detention pond attracts the natural predators of mosquitoes such as dragonflies, aquatic beetles, and amphibians, and are less likely to produce adult mosquitoes.

The City of Mount Vernon also treats the city owned drainage systems with larvicide to reduce the number of mosquitoes within the urban areas. 

For additional information  on mosquitoes and how to protect yourself please visit the Washington State Department of Health website.