Sewage Overflow Prevention
(Combined Sewer Overflow Reduction)
Seattle waterways will benefit from upcoming projects to slow the flow of stormwater runoff. 2010 – 2015 Plan (pdf)
Real-time reports of raw sewage overflows
(updated hourly)
View information about the Long-term Control Plan to guide the development of projects to be constructed over the next 15 years.
After decades of urbanization, the quality of our lakes, rivers and Puget Sound is threatened by urban runoff and the limitations of a 100-year-old drainage system. Read the plan to clean up our waterways over the next five years 2010 – 2015 Plan (pdf)
During rainfall, the combination of sewage and stormwater may exceed the capacity of the drainage system and overflow into our waterways – causing a combined sewer overflow (CSO) See map of locations (pdf). Annual overflows have been reduced from 30 billion gallons per year in 1970 to 190 million gallons in 2010.
But we must finish the job in order to protect Seattle’s waterways and comply with the Clean Water Act.
Green Stormwater Infrastructure Projects
Large Storage Projects:
Seattle is taking action to slow and clean stormwater runoff, and improve water quality in our creeks, lakes and Puget Sound. Find out how you can help to Restore Our Waters.
Current drainage and wastewater rates accommodate work that must be completed in the short term. The development of the Long-term Control Plan will consider how future projects will affect drainage rates.