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Report flooding, drainage, and water quality problems

Information about where and how to report a flooding, drainage, or water quality problem in King County.

Where is your drainage or water quality problem located?

  • If this is an emergency, call 911. At night, on weekends and holidays, use the 24/7 Roads Helpline at 206-477-8100 or 1-800-527-6237.
  • Report drainage and water quality concerns in unincorporated King County using this report form.
  • If your problem is within a city area, go to the city referrals page to find contact information for that city.

Unsure where your problem is located?

Enter the location into the map on this report form and it will tell you where your problem is located.

If you're not sure where to report a flooding, drainage, or water quality problems, see the tables below for more information.

Drainage concerns

Where is the problem? Agency to contact Contact information Examples
King County maintained right-of-way (measured 30 feet from the center of the road)
King County Road Services Division
206-477-8100
Clogged culverts in a roadway, or overgrown roadside drainage ditches. Erosion, or dirt washing away from a construction project into road right-of-way.
Drainage problem is on private property
King County Stormwater Services

206-477-4811

or

Submit a report form

Water pooling in the front or back yards, flooding issues.
King County stormwater facility damaged causing drainage problems for neighborhood 
King County Stormwater Services 

206-477-4811

or

Submit a report form

A stormwater facility (pond, pipe, vault, etc.) is overflowing and water is coming into the roadways or property.

Water quality concerns

What is the problem? Agency to contact Contact information Examples
Business practices are polluting water
King County Stormwater Services

206-477-4811

or

Submit a report form

Pollution from business activities.
Sewage or other pollution spills to stormwater or surface water
King County Stormwater Services

206-477-4811

or

Submit a report form

Motor oil storage is leaking into a storm drain.
Illegal connections to the stormwater pipes, vaults, etc. King County Stormwater Services

206-477-4811

or

Submit a report form

Parts wash sink is plumbed to a storm drain.
Sewage flowing from broken sanitary sewer lines
King County Wastewater Treatment
206-477-5371
Broken sewage pipe or septic leak into storm drains.
Sewage odor or septic system spill from private property
King County Public Health
206-477-8050
Broken sewage pipe, septic leak or failing drain field flowing into storm drains.
Drinking water concerns from private wells
King County Public Health
206-477-8050
Discolored, smelly, or water quality concerns.
Water quality problems within cities
Your city
Contact information varies by city Discolored, smelly, or water quality concerns.
Concerns about water quality at swimming beaches
King County Lakes Program
Swim Beach Home - King County
Most cyanobacterial blooms occur during warm summer and early fall months but in Washington, toxic blooms also occur during colder winter months.
Industrial and commercial discharges to the sanitary or combined sewer systems
King County Industrial Waste Program
206-477-5300
All businesses that generate and dispose of industrial wastewater to the King County sewer system must get approval prior to discharging.

 

Spills

What is the problem? Agency to contact Contact information Examples
Illegal dumping
King County

206-296-7483

or

King County Illegal Dumping Hotline

Trash, construction debris, and abandoned vehicles found on public or private property.
Polluting substance in natural waterway

Washington State Department of Ecology

AND

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - National Response Center

Washington Dept. of Ecology:

800-258-5990

EPA National Response Center;

800-424-8802

Large oil spill in Puget Sound, lakes, or streams.
Spills to the stormwater drainage system 
King County Stormwater Services

206-477-4811

or

Submit a report form

Cooking oil, used motor oil, grass clippings dumped into storm drains.
Spills into the sanitary sewer system
Your local sewer agency

Hazardous or shop waste flushed down a toilet or sink.
Vessel discharges
Washington State Department of Ecology
800-258-5990 Sewage holding tanks or ballast water flushed into local waters.
Oil and hazardous material spills
Washington State Department of Ecology
800-258-5990 Engine malfunctions, contaminated bilge water.
Large oil spills in Puget Sound, lakes, or streams

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)- National Response Center

AND

Oil Spill Task Force 

EPA National Response Center:

800-424-8802

Oil Spill Task Force:

800-OILS(6457)-911

May be from boats, manufacturing plants.
Hazardous material spills
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - National Response Center

AND

Oil Spill Task Force
EPA National Response Center:

800-424-8802

Oil Spill Task Force:

800-OILS(6457)-911
There are no minimum amounts of spills to report. Clean up may be less costly than liability.
Traffic-related spills

911 Emergency Services

or

Washington State Department of Ecology

Washington State Department of Ecology:

800-258-5990

Any spills on state highways or Washington State Department of Transportation properties that may impact the safety of the traveling public or the environment.

Septic system concerns

What is the problem? Agency to contact Contact information Examples
Septic system problems
Public Health- Seattle & King County 
206-477-8050
Installation/maintenance, hauling and disposal of waste, septic discharges.
Finding septic system records
Public Health- Seattle & King County  206-477-8050
 

Permit violations

Need to check if a permit is on file for a property? Visit the King County Permitting Portal.

What is the problem? Agency to contact Contact information Examples
The work being done is not permitted King County Department of Local Services, Code Enforcement Division

206-296-6680

or

File a case online at King County Permitting Portal

Clearing and grading without a permit. Illegally placed mobile homes, or factory assembled structures. Storage of junk cars. Zoning code violations.

Erosion concerns

What is the problem? Agency to contact Contact information Examples
Erosion from permitted construction and development sites both in and out of road right-of-way King County Department of Local Services (DLS)—Code Enforcement 

206-296-6680

or

File a case online at King County Permitting Portal

Soils running off job sites onto roads.
Erosion from utility work in the road right-of-way
King County Department of Local Services—Roads Services 206-477-8400
Soils running off job sites onto roads.
Landslide and erosion problems

King County Stormwater Services

206-477-4811

or

Submit a report form
Soils, rocks, and vegetation spilled onto roads, culverts washed out.

 

Hazardous conditions

What is the problem? Agency to contact Contact information Examples
Hazardous conditions King County Department of Local Services (DLS)—Code Enforcement Division

206-296-6680

or

File a case online at King County Permitting Portal

Accumulation of junk and debris; livestock density and manure management problems; open wells and other hazardous conditions; open-to-entry or dangerous buildings; substandard housing.
 

Can’t find the right agency?

Call 206-477-4811 or report the problem online.

What happens if a violation is found?

We will require responsible persons to resolve drainage and water quality problems and/or implement on-site best management practices (BMPs) as outlined in our Stormwater Pollution Prevention Manual.

We provide education and technical assistance to fix problems. If the problem is still not resolved, enforcement action may be used that meet the Water Quality Code (K.C.C.9.12) and/or Drainage Code (K.C.C.9.04).  

Why do I have to give my name and contact information?

We may need to contact you to find out more details about the problem. We may determine the concern should be reported to another agency and we will want to provide you with this information. We can also keep you informed of the results of our investigation.

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