Just one storm can dump millions of gallons of water across Thurston County. Between October and April, we receive roughly 650 billion gallons of precipitation. All that water can increase the risk of flooding. Then summer arrives, and our county experiences some of the lowest precipitation levels in the country. Streams shrink, groundwater levels drop, and drought conditions become a concern. These dramatic swings create unique challenges for protecting our water. Learn more about our water monitoring here.

During the rainy season, water flowing over yards, roads, and roofs picks up harmful pollutants. Oil from leaking cars, fertilizers and pesticides, animal waste, soil, and decaying leaves can cause problems when they are moved by water. 

The Stormwater Utility helps reduce flooding by directing runoff through a network of storm drains, ditches, pipes, ponds, and other drainage systems. We work to keep that runoff as clean as possible, because it flows into the local waterways that people and wildlife depend on. It also seeps into the aquifers that provide clean drinking water for about 90 percent of Thurston County residents. 

Protecting our water is a shared responsibility. We help maintain the county's stormwater system and respond to flooding and drainage issues. We also help everyone do their part to make sure only rain goes down the storm drains.