Implementing Water Clean-up Plans

Also called Total Maximum Daily Loads, water clean-up plans are created by the Department of Ecology for specific watersheds. TMDLs are used to address polluted waters by identifying the sources of pollution and determining how much each source needs to be reduced to meet water quality standards. The plans specify what the problem is and actions we must take to address the issue. Under the Permit, Olympia has TMDL requirements for three watersheds. This includes Henderson Inlet, Deschutes River and Budd Inlet.

What we’re doing:

• Henderson Inlet Watershed - Fecal Coliform Bacteria Water Quality Improvement Project
  • Through site plan review and permitting, development within the Woodard Creek basin requires phosphorus controls for stormwater treatment.
  • The Cities of Lacey and Olympia updated their coordinating sampling plan to reflect new permit requirements in 2024. The City of Olympia will continue to sample Taylor Wetlands outfall at least once during the 2025-2026 wet season.
• Deschutes River Watershed
  • Per City code, limit the amount of impervious (hard) surfaces and promote the use of low-impact development (“LID”) approaches.
  • Apply the City’s Shoreline Master Program and Critical Area Ordinance which requires stream buffers for new development.
  • Promote tree planting and restoration activities through our Habitat Stewardship Program, prioritizing natural areas buffering wetlands and streams.
• Budd Inlet Dissolved Oxygen
  • Conduct an enhanced street sweeping program, prioritizing roadways with high-use, curbed streets, canopy cover, and road sections with no stormwater treatment that drain to Budd Inlet.
  • Analyze nutrient output from our stormwater system to Budd Inlet. From the analysis identify high priority areas for stormwater management.
  • Screen high priority areas to discover why nutrients are reaching Puget Sound.
  • Consider TMDL in our watershed prioritization process (SMAP) and in our stormwater investment prioritization.