Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Storm and Surface Water Management

Introduction

This page highlights a few best management practices for Storm and Surface Water Management. For additional resources consult the individual stormwater manuals that can be found on the page, Local Storm and Surface Management Plans, Programs, Regulations and Policy Documents. See also the Low Impact Development page.

About Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Best Management Practices (BMPs) are a method by which the adverse impacts of development and redevelopment are controlled through their application. BMPs are defined in the state's storm water Manual "as schedules of activities, prohibitions of practices, maintenance procedures, and structural and/or managerial practices, that when used singly or in combination, prevent or reduce the release of pollutants to waters of Washington State." The types of BMPs identified by the state are source control, runoff treatment, and flow control.

The primary purpose of using BMPs is to protect beneficial uses of water resources through the reduction of pollutant loads and concentrations, and through reduction of discharges (volumetric flow rates) causing stream channel erosion.

It is generally more cost effective to prevent impacts using source control than using runoff treatment to remove pollutants. However, since source controls cannot prevent all impacts, some combination of measures will always be needed. (Adapted from Minimum Technical Requirements Vol. I, Storm Water Management Manual for Western Washington, Washington State Department of Ecology, April 2005, p. 8)

General Best Management Practices

International Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) Database, ASCE, EPA and others
National Menu of Stormwater Best Management Practices, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, NPDES
Pierce County Best Management Practices (BMP's), Vol 4, Stormwater Management and Site Development Manual
Stormwater Resources, Puget Sound Partnership
Stormwater Management Best Practices, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Stormwater Best Management Practices Municipal Handbook, and The California Stormwater Best Management (BMP) Practice Handbooks/Portal, California Stormwater Quality Association, last updated 2009
Stormwater Management and Design Manuals, Department of Ecology - Manuals under revision; see best practices chapters
Using Smart Growth Techniques as Stormwater Best Management Practices, Environmental Protection Agency, EPA 231-B-05-002, December 2005
Washington Stormwater Center - A collaboration between Washington State University and the University of Washington

BMP Tool Box

Washington State Department of Ecology Publications

Selecting Best Management Practices for Stormwater Management, by Pardnude S., Department of Ecology, Publication No. WQ-R-93-011, Report No. 2 of 5, January 1993
Source Controls Protect Stormwater Quality, by Padnude S., Department of Ecology, Publication No. WQ-R-93-011, Report No. 5 of 5, January 1993
Washington's Water Quality Management Plan to Control Nonpoint Source Pollution - Final, by Hashim, B., Green, B., and Phillips, A., Department of Ecology, Publication No. 99-26, revised January 2004

Treatment Best Management Practices

Rain Gardens, MRSC
Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington (See Volume V - Runoff Treatment BMPs), Washington State Department of Ecology, 04/2005 - Manual under revision
Stormwater Management Manual for Eastern Washington (See Chapter 5 - Runoff Treatment Facility Design), 2004 - Manual under revision

Local Government Examples

Bellingham Lake Whatcom Stormwater Management Program: Evaluation of Stormwater Phosphorus and Recommended Management Options, prepared by Parametrix, 10/2007
Kitsap County Surface Water Management Program Publications and Resources - See Fact Sheets and Brochures
Selah Managing Stormwater: Changes and Challenges in Selah - Pollution Solution (), 2005 - Stormwater Best Management Practices
Spokane County Grassed Bio-Infiltration Swales
Tacoma 2012 Stormwater Management Manual - See Volume 5: Water Quality Treatment BMPs

Best Management Practices for Specific Facilities

Construction BMPs

Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington (See Vol. II - Construction Stormwater Pollution Prevention), Washington State Department of Ecology, 04/2005 - Manual being revised
Stormwater Management Manual for Eastern Washington (See Chapter 2 - Core Elements for New Development and Redevelopment), Washington State Department of Ecology, 2004 - Manual being revised
Erosion Control and Sediment Control: Land Clearing and Grading, MRSC - Construction site storm water runoff control
Kitsap County Ch. 2 () - Construction Stormwater Pollution Prevention in Kitsap County Stormwater Design Manual, effective 02/16/2010
- Brochure No. 53 (), Construction Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan
Pierce County Surface Water Management Draft Stormwater Management and Site Development Manual(), Volume II - Construction Stormwater Pollution Prevention, adopted 08/2008, effective 03/2009
Thurston County Drainage Design and Erosion Control Manual (), Volume II: Construction Stormwater Pollution Prevention, 07/2009

Commercial/Industrial/Manufacturing BMPs

Guidance Manual for Developing a Stormwater Pollution Plan for Industrial Facilities, Department of Ecology, Water Quality Program, Publication No. WQ-R-93-015, revised 04/1998, updated 05/2004
Vehicle Recyclers: A Guide for Implementing the Industrial Stormwater General NPDES Permit Requirements, Department of Ecology, Water Quality Program, Publication 94-146, revised 2011
Vehicle Washing - Carwash
- Car Washing and Storm Water Permits, Department of Ecology
- Frequently Asked Questions: Residential Car Washing and Stormwater, Department of Ecology, 09/2008
- Vehicle and Equipment Washwater Discharges/Best Management Practices Manual, Department of Ecology, Water Quality Program, Publication 95-056, June 1995, revised September 2007
- King County Car Wash Kit Resources
- Kirkland Car Washing
- Puyallup Fish Friendly Car Washing

Public Property

Animal Wastes, Manure (Pooper Scooper Provisions), MRSC
Green Golf Course Development, MRSC
Pesticides and Integrated Pest Management, MRSC
Water Quality Best Management Practices for Operation and Maintenance of Publicly-Owned Property (), Clark County Public Works in Cooperation with City of Vancouver, 2000

Transportation

Highway Runoff Manual, Washington State Department of Transportation
Road-Related Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s), Environmental Protection Agency
Porous and Pervious Pavement
- Effect of Road Shoulder Treatments on Highway Runoff Quality and Quantity, Washington State Department of Transportation Research Reports - The goal of the research was to determine the type of shoulder treatment that yields the least quantity of runoff of the highest quality. Three types of shoulder materials were tested: conventional asphalt, gravel, and porous asphalt
- Porous Pavement, Olympia Storm and Surfacewater - Science &S Innovations webpage
Salt on Roadways - Application of Deicers, MRSC