General Information
The Stormwater Services Division oversees maintenance of the City's storm sewer system and compliance with its NPDES Phase II stormwater permit that together work to address stormwater quantity and quality, protecting human health and the environment. The storm sewer system is comprised of both manmade infrastructure and natural conveyance in the form of infrastructure such as creeks, culverts, detention basins, drywells, pipes, localized treatment systems, and storm drain inlets. This infrastructure collects stormwater, and in some instances partially treats it, before the stormwater is discharged to either groundwater or surface water.
Dry wells infiltrate stormwater into the ground where it commingles with groundwater that ultimately finds its way to creeks, rivers, and aquifers to supply drinking water for the city. Storm drain inlets are entry points for stormwater to enter underground pipes that convey stormwater and eventually discharge to groundwater or surface waters within or bordering the City of Troutdale. Detention ponds are large basins that control the rate of stormwater discharge to manage peak stormwater flows, mitigating flood risk and reducing the impact of large storms on downstream creeks and systems.
The City of Troutdale is not the only stormwater management agency within the City. Multnomah County Transportation and the Oregon Department of Transportation operate storm drainage systems primarily associated with their respective roads and highways in Troutdale. The Sandy Drainage Improvement Company is a special flood protection district that manages the levee system along the Columbia River as well as major stormwater conveyances in the northern area of Troutdale. These agencies and the City have interconnected systems that work in concert to provide an efficient and effective overall drainage system within Troutdale.
Services
- Provide flood protection through stormwater collection and removal within the public right-of-way
- Protect water quality through implementation of and compliance with the NPDES Phase II MS4 General Permit
- Review and comment on proposed development involving stormwater and require new development to provide appropriate management and treatment of stormwater runoff from private property
- Issue stormwater related permits
- Respond to spills/releases into the storm sewer system
- Administer construction stormwater permits (aka "erosion control permits")