Stormwater Summit Day One Presentations: Part 1

Session 1: How to Successfully Implement a Regional Biofiltration Stormwater Treatment System in an Ultra-Urban Neighborhood

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is implementing a regional stormwater treatment system and prioritizing specific areas for retrofits based on the receiving water body and the pollutant load. The challenge in an ultra-urban area is finding property in the right location for a treatment facility. This talk will cover SPU’s experience when a public-private partnership resulted in a well-located, innovative, and high-performing regional stormwater treatment facility. Despite the construction, operational, and O&M challenges, the facility’s water quality performance is considered excellent relative to other stormwater facilities.

Learning Objectives:

1. Design an urban regional stormwater treatment facility for reliable performance and maintenance.

2. Evaluate the benefits and challenges of public-private partnerships.

3. Plan and execute monitoring and maintenance of a regional biofiltration stormwater treatment facility.

Speakers: Jason Sharpley, Project Manager, Seattle Public Utilities and Shanti Colwell, GSI Projects Manager, Seattle Public Utilities

Session 2: Creating a Comprehensive Green Infrastructure Maintenance Program: Cost, Strategy, and Designs
In 2015, the City of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office collaborated to formalize the maintenance of 124 Office collaborated to formalize the maintenance of 124 rain gardens. Maintenance schedules and expenditures for each rain garden have been implemented and refined over the last three years. This presentation will feature design recommendations that can simplify maintenance and offer lessons learned to create realistic budgets and foster positive partnerships and public involvement.

Learning Objectives:

1. Estimate costs for long term green infrastructure maintenance

2. Design green infrastructure that minimizes maintenance needs

3. Foster positive partnerships across jurisdictions.

Speaker: Catie Wytychak, Water Quality Specialist, Water Resources Commissioner’s Office