If It Hits the Ground, It Hits the Sound

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Stormwater? 

Stormwater is rainwater or melted snow that flows over surfaces like rooftops, streets, and lawns. It can pick up pollutants and carry them into local waterways.

Where Does Our Water Go?

 

How can I prevent stormwater pollution?

Each small action helps protect our waterways and preserve the beauty and health of Puget Sound. Join Tacoma in keeping our environment clean and safe for generations to come. Here are some ways you can get involved:

1. Adopt a Storm Drain
Take charge of a storm drain in your neighborhood by visiting Adopt-a-Drain. By keeping your drain free from litter and debris, you’re helping reduce pollution and prevent flooding.

• Sign up online for free
• Receive a yard sign to show your commitment
• Get cleanup tools and safety gear from the City

2. Report Stormwater Pollution
See something that could harm our waterways? Report it through Tacoma FIRST 311, or you can call 311 or (253) 591-5000. Look out for:

• Muddy construction runoff
• Spills or dumping
• Car washing or power washing with soapy water
• Oily sheen, colored liquids, chemical smells, foam, or garbage

3. Scoop the Poop
Properly dispose of pet waste at home and while walking. Scoop it, Bag it and Trash it to help prevent pollution.

4. Sponsor a Pet Waste Station
Help keep neighborhoods clean by sponsoring a dog waste station. The City provides the station and bag refills*. To participate:

• You must live within city limits
• Identify a location in a neighborhood common area with a dog waste issue (i.e., park, green belt, open space, etc.)
• Have a designated sponsor to monitor and maintain the station
• Download or print the Pet Waste Station Application and return via mail or email

View the Pet Waste Station Program flyer for more information.

5. Wash Your Car the Green Way
Use a commercial car wash that treats wastewater. This prevents harmful chemicals from reaching the Puget Sound.

6. Don’t Drip and Drive – Fix Leaks

Car leaks—like oil, coolant, and other fluids—can harm our waterways by polluting stormwater runoff. The Puget Sound Starts Here campaign, in collaboration with the Department of Ecology and local organizations, offers free “Fix That Leak!” workshops throughout the Puget Sound region to help car owners address these issues.

Workshops are led by certified automotive instructors and cover:

• Basic car maintenance and system checks
• The impact of leaks on our environment
• A free, optional vehicle inspection by the instructor

Find more resources at fixcarleaks.org for diagnosing leaks, workshop schedules, and tips on working with your mechanic.

Remember, if you notice a stain where you park, it’s time to fix that leak! Every small action helps keep Puget Sound clean.

7. Use Natural Yard Care Practices

Your yard is a place for fun, relaxation, and natural beauty. But traditional yard care can lead to inefficient water use, excess waste, and overuse of chemicals that impact our health and environment. By making a few simple changes, you can:

• Save on water, waste disposal, and chemicals
• Save time by working with nature
• Protect your family’s health with reduced chemical exposure
• Conserve water for our rivers and wildlife, and keep our water sources clean

A healthy, beautiful yard is easy with these five steps:

1. Build healthy soil
2. Plant right for your yard’s needs
3. Practice smart watering
4. Use pesticides sparingly
5. Choose natural lawn care

For more tips, visit naturalyardcare.org, or connect with a Pierce County Master Gardener at (253) 798-7170 or online.

8. Properly Store and Dispose of Hazardous Materials

Safely store paints, cleaning supplies, chemicals, and other potentially harmful items in tightly sealed, clearly labeled containers to reduce the risk of spills and leaks. Proper disposal is essential to protect our environment—never dump waste in the street, storm drains, or down household sinks and toilets.

For guidelines on safe disposal, visit the City of Tacoma’s Recovery and Transfer Center to learn more about how to handle and dispose of waste responsibly.

9. Trash the Butts

Cigarette butts are the most littered item worldwide and are toxic to our waterways. Be a responsible smoker: always use a butt can or personal ashtray, and fully extinguish cigarette butts before disposing of them in the trash.

Did you know?

• One in three cigarette butts ends up as litter.
• Cigarette butts release toxic chemicals into water within hours of contact, and just one butt in a gallon of water can kill 80% of aquatic life added to that water in a day.
• Cigarette litter can persist in the environment for up to 25 years.

Let’s keep Tacoma’s waterways clean and healthy—dispose of cigarette butts properly.

10. Help Educate Others

If It Hits the Ground, It Hits the Sound

Launched in 2018, this campaign promotes stormwater pollution awareness and encourages positive changes in behavior. Through collaborations with local artists, schools, and community groups, the initiative features public art and educational components to connect the community with the message.

Button: Get Involved! 

What does it mean that Tacoma has a separate stormwater and wastewater system? 

Tacoma has what’s called as a Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4). The primary purpose of this system is to collect and route rainwater and surface water from surface runoff in urban areas directly into local bodies of water. These bodies of water include rivers, lakes and the Puget Sound. This type of system prevents flooding and allows for effective drainage in the city.

Where Does the Water Go?

What does it mean that stormwater is 90% untreated?

In Tacoma, 90% of stormwater is not cleaned before it enters local waterways. This means any pollutants it picks up, like oil, pesticides, and fertilizers, are carried directly into these waters.

What is the Stormwater Management Program Plan and how can I give feedback? 

The Stormwater Management Program Plan (SWMP) is Tacoma’s plan to manage stormwater and prevent pollution. It follows rules set by the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and explains how the city will handle stormwater to protect our waterways. The SWMP is updated annually and the City conducts outreach and collects feedback from the community prior to these updates.

Your feedback helps the city improve its stormwater management practices, making our community and environment healthier and safer. Visit the Stormwater Management Plan page for more information on how and when you can provide feedback.

What sort of chemicals/pollution enters the sound? 

Common pollutants include oil and tire particles from cars, pesticides, herbicides, lawn fertilizers, pet waste, and litter. These are all harmful to the environment, aquatic animals, and humans.

What kind of paint do you use for murals?  

We use Chroma branded mural paint. This is a non-toxic paint that has been vetted and is not harmful the environment.