Surface Water Division

The Surface Water Division is responsible for the quality of the water in the creeks that are within the City of Mill Creek City limits.  The Surface Water Division’s responsibilities include maintenance and operations of City owned detention ponds, vaults and all catch basins and pipes that are on public streets; inspections of privately owned detention facilities; addressing illicit discharge; capital improvements projects; and public education and outreach.  Regular broom street sweeping minimizes the deposition of grit in catch basins and provides water quality benefits to existing receiving waters.

Operating and maintaining the City’s storm drain system are also included in this function.  All control structures associated with open detention ponds and buried pipes and vaults are cleaned as needed.  Structural repairs of the existing storm drain system are also included in this function.  All control structures associated with open detention ponds and buried pipes and vaults are cleaned as needed.  Structural repairs of the existing storm drain systems, vegetation control of the pond on lot 6 of Mill Creek Plaza, and mowing of roadside ditches are included under the Storm Drains function.

Existing City Storm Water Facilities

Based upon input from the City and conversations with City staff, we have identified the number of each type of facility within the City of Mill Creek’s existing storm water system that requires maintenance by the City staff. 

Inventory Summary (2006) 

Private Associations with Storm Water Management Responsibilities

Private groups and individuals have responsibilities related to maintaining the storm water system within the City.  They include the Mill Creek Community Association (MCCA); other smaller homeowners' associations and private development such as shopping centers, schools, businesses and apartment complexes.

Mill Creek Community Association

The Mill Creek Community Association (MCCA) is a mandatory membership organization for that portion of the City included in the original planned development.  The MCCA includes approximately 50 percent of the total area within the corporate limits of the City of Mill Creel.  In addition, the MCCA area encompasses more than 25 individual homeowners' associations.

As described below in more detail, the MCCA provides operation and maintenance services for the storm water systems in the commonly owned areas.  However, under most circumstances, each homeowners' association is responsible for the operation and maintenance of its own storm water facilities.  The common areas include a 120-acre nature preserve that encompasses a portion of Penny Creek and includes a fish ladder, Cherry Park, Holly Park, Wildflower Park, 16 pocket parks and 13 miles of trail systems.  The maintenance responsibilities include lawn mowing of park areas including some storm water treatment bioswales.  The MCCA maintenance crew also maintains the drainage ditches along the trails and culvert systems that pass under the trail systems.  They are also responsible for responding to member complaints, including catch basins plugged with leaves and debris and downed trees that restrict stream capacities.

Other Homeowners' Associations

The homeowners' associations are responsible for maintaining the storm drainage facilities located within their division.  The City requires maintenance procedures to be specified as part of the development review process.

The property owners of commercial businesses, shopping centers, industrial areas, and apartment complexes are responsible for maintaining the storm drainage facilities within their development.

Schools

The school district is responsible for maintaining storm water systems on each of its facilities.