Case Studies

Newcastle, Washington: Streamlining Drainage Systems Using NPDESPro

Introduction

Consistently rated in the top 20 places to live in The United States, Newcastle, WA is home to about 13,000 citizens and renowned for its hiking trails and majestic views of nature, but the city also faces unique stormwater management challenges. The presence of dense vegetation often leads to debris clogging drainage systems, which can cause flooding and other issues. Additionally, the city's geological characteristics limit infiltration, resulting in higher-than-average surface runoff. To address these challenges, Newcastle needed an efficient and comprehensive stormwater management solution, which they found in NPDESPro.

Challenges

Before implementing NPDESPro, Newcastle's stormwater management team faced several issues:

  • Debris Clogging: Due to infrequent inspections and lack of accurate cleaning records, the city's trees and vegetation frequently clogged drainage systems with debris and roots, leading to flooding.

  • Data Management: The manual and inconsistent data management processes made it difficult to track inspections, cleanings, and overall system health.

  • Lack of Historical Knowledge: Lack of a centralized stormwater management system to store historical data led to inconsistent records of inspections and compliance efforts.

Implementation

Newcastle began using NPDESPro in 2019 to tackle these challenges. The city's stormwater management team integrated various modules of NPDESPro to streamline their operations. The key modules used included:

  • Sites and Structures: For managing inspections and maintenance of drainage systems.

  • IDDE (Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination): To identify and address illicit discharges.

  • Public Education: To engage and educate the community on stormwater management practices.

Results

1. Improved Data Management

NPDESPro's comprehensive data management capabilities enabled Newcastle to maintain accurate records of inspections, maintenance activities, and system health. Brian Miller, Newcastle’s Surface Water Program Manager noted, "By utilizing this tool and other tools, we're able to assess what the contamination levels are in certain catch basins and having those vactored out and cleaned every quarter." There was also the issue of access to historical inspection data. “We’ve had some challenges in the past having consistent historical knowledge. Two and a half years ago a lot of us started brand new, so I think we're all kind of feeling at a point where at least for me, where I've started to catch up on things.” said Alex Hurd, the Public Works Right of Way and Stormwater Management Inspector.

2. Enhanced Public Participation

The Public Education module allowed Newcastle to engage with the community effectively. "We do an event called Newcastle Days every year, and then we also did a talk this year at the library. It's nice to track those things, and at the end of the year, you know, getting the report that says what we've done is just cut and dry, which is nice.” Said Marley Kirkham, Surface Water Specialist.

3. Streamlined Inspections and Maintenance

NPDESPro helped Newcastle transition from random to scheduled inspections and cleanings. Miller explained, "We used to just do it randomly, and there were flooding problems going on as well, but now we seem to have it into a more regular schedule per quarter."

Conclusion

The adoption of NPDESPro has transformed Newcastle's stormwater management program, addressing key challenges and enabling the city to maintain a healthier and more efficient drainage system. By leveraging the historical data features of NPDESPro, Newcastle continues to make strides in improving water quality and engaging the community in environmental stewardship.