Surface Water Management

Keeping People Safe and Waters Healthy

Snohomish County provides essential services to safeguard your health and our environment through its stormwater utility, Surface Water Management (SWM). You can see us in your community as we help people fix drainage problems, clean up water pollution and improve stormwater systems. These services are funded by a utility charge paid by people in unincorporated Snohomish County. 


Learn more about SWM utility charges and billing.


Sign up to receive SWM news

Stay connected! Sign up to get the latest SWM news sent directly to your inbox. Get quarterly updates about:

Water Quality Information
Drainage & Road Flooding Information
Salmon & Marine Habitat Information
River Flooding Information
New! 

Video highlights fish passage barriers

The Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC) produced a video highlighting the issue of fish passage barriers and Snohomish County's efforts to address the problem. Watch the video to learn more.


Fish Passage Video with Gregg Farris

2018 Snohomish County LID Implementation Report


SWM has partnered with Snohomish County's Planning and Development Services and Engineering Services to track the implementation of stormwater low impact development (LID) best management practices (BMPs) in a new report. This report includes constructed stormwater LID systems, both private systems permitted by the County and public systems constructed by the County in 2018. Some examples of LID BMPs include rain gardens, bioretention, permeable pavements, roof downspout controls, dispersion, vegetated roofs and water re-use. 

Learn more: 2018 Snohomish County LID Implementation Report (PDF)

Discretionary Fund rebates now available!

The Stillaguamish Discretionary Fund rebate program helps landowners, community groups, and non-profit organizations carry out water quality improvement projects in the former Stillaguamish Clean Water District. The voluntary, non-regulatory program offers funding for small projects on private or public property that will provide shellfish protection benefits in Port Susan or South Skagit Bay.

To learn more about the program and access application materials, visit: Discretionary Funds Rebate Program.

Please note that funding for rebates is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis until program funds are exhausted.

SWM 2018 Newsletter

Learn how we keep you safe and our waters healthy. View our newsletter (PDF).

SWM Utility Business Plan

Snohomish County has completed its SWM Utility Business Plan to improve stormwater utility services we provide you while keeping costs down. Visit the SWM Business Plan webpage to learn more.


  • SWM Utility Business Plan - Executive Summary
  • SWM Utility Business Plan - Final Report
  • SWM Advisory Panel report (PDF)
  • SWM ratepayer survey:

    • SWM CIP 2020-2025

    SWM 6 Year CIP 2020-2025