University Place council adopts 2025 update to NPDES Phase 2 stormwater plan

The University Place City Council unanimously adopted the 2025 update to the city’s Phase 2 NPDES stormwater management program during its March 17 meeting.

The update implements permit-required changes and adds an element to address compliance with state underground injection control (UIC) well requirements, commonly called dry wells, city public works director Jack Eklund told the council. "We have added a new element, which is a compliance with underground injection control well program," Eklund said.

The program is required under the city’s Phase 2 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit. Eklund and Todd Smith, the city’s NPDES coordinator, said the update corrects typos found in the council packet and removes nonrequired appendices while updating milestone schedules and the public comment record. "The public comment period for this has been open since March 3, and then is closed effectively at the end of this public hearing," Eklund said; staff reported no public comments submitted to date.

Council members asked for clarification about the UIC well inventory and inspection requirements. Council member Worthington asked whether the city has UIC wells in use; Eklund responded that the city has “about 50” wells and that most predate February 2006, which requires an assessment to show they do not present a significant groundwater hazard. "All of our ones that are after 02/2006 ... meets the requirements because we did build them per current standards," Eklund said.

Eklund explained inspection frequency: most dry wells are inspected roughly every two years, while infiltration tanks are inspected annually. He also told the council the stormwater program is funded through the city stormwater management fee, which is billed via the annual property tax for both residential and commercial properties. "Our stormwater management program is paid for through our stormwater management fee," Eklund said.

After brief council discussion, Mayor Javier Figueroa called the roll. Council members Boykin, Worthington, McCluskey, Fleming, Grassi, Mayor Pro Tem Wood and Mayor Figueroa voted in favor; the motion passed 7-0.

The adopted document, placed on the dais during the meeting, corrected typographical errors found in the packet and added UIC-well compliance as element 12. Staff said the updated plan also tightens milestone language required under the permit and clarifies responsibilities for privately constructed wells, which are required to be registered with the state Department of Ecology.

Council members and staff said they will continue internal work to register and, where required, assess older UIC wells to meet state requirements. The adoption is an administrative implementation of the city’s NPDES permit rather than a change to city tax policy or fee levels.

Votes at a glance: the council approved the 2025 Phase 2 NPDES stormwater management program update by roll-call vote, 7 ayes, 0 nays.