Snohomish County’s Surface Water Management Division is seeking input as it gathers comments and ideas to balance programs and services with changing needs.

The process could potentially lead to a countywide restructuring of Surface Water Management rates. Surface Water Management invites you to participate in an online survey and provide input at www.survey.surfacewater.info.

“So far, we’ve talked with dozens of residents and customers, and hundreds have participated in our online survey,” Surface Water Management Director Debbie Terwilleger said. “We’re pleased with the level of input we are receiving but would like to see more participation countywide.”

Surface Water Management provides a variety of services to its customers, and is currently evaluating whether these services should be changed, and how the division can do more to solve specific problems that property owners are experiencing.

“The information we are gathering will help us align our existing and future programs and services with the needs identified through this process,” Terwilleger said.

Currently, the division:

• Helps property owners by visiting sites (at the request of the property owner) to review and evaluate drainage problems.

• Investigates and stops water pollution problems.

• Works with homeowners’ associations to support their management of Native Growth Protection Areas.

• Provides technical assistance to landowners living next to rivers.

• Works with property owners adjacent to lakes to improve water quality and to remove milfoil.

• Monitors lakes throughout Snohomish County, providing toxic algae and other health-related warnings.

• Builds projects to reduce road, sidewalk and property flooding.

• Maintains and manages stormwater detention facilities throughout the county.

• Constructs projects to improve habitat for salmon.

• Regularly inventories drainage systems, and provides a variety of maps for property owners, other jurisdictions and the development community.

• Works with commercial property owners to help them comply with water quality regulations.

• Inspects and manages dikes and levees to ensure they protect roads and properties during flooding.

• Coordinates projects with agencies, organizations, committees and others throughout the region for mutual benefit.

• Provides outreach and education to the public and stakeholders on surface water management issues.

The division is in the process of gathering broad public input, and studying options for improving services to benefit its customers and partners.

For additional information, please contact Mike McGuiness in Surface Water Management, via email at m.mcguiness@snoco.org or by phone at 425-388-3464, ext. 4562.