Bellevue Environmental Services Commission Meeting - February 6, 2026

The Environmental Services Commission (ESC) met on February 6, 2026, to receive updates on the draft 2026 Stormwater Management Program (SWMP), the wastewater system plan, and utility financial policies. The meeting included a public hearing on the SWMP (no public testimony was offered), a presentation on the wastewater system plan update, and a review of the city's utility financial policies that will guide the upcoming 2027-2028 budget. The commission also reviewed its calendar for the year ahead.

Stormwater Management Program Update and Public Hearing

• The city's NPDES coordinator, Don, presented the draft 2026 Stormwater Management Program plan, which covers permit requirements under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) for municipal stormwater. The permit is issued by the Washington Department of Ecology and runs from 2024 to 2029.
• Key program areas include planning, public education and outreach, public involvement, mapping, illicit discharge detection and elimination, stormwater management for new development, source control, and operations and maintenance.
• Don highlighted accomplishments from 2025: nearly 12,000 inspections, cleaning of 2,200 public structures, 720 private drainage facility inspections, 376 source control inspections, and 227 reported illicit discharges. A five-year behavior change campaign on dumpster outreach was completed and adopted regionally.
• A new permit requirement is a retrofit clause to treat an additional 24 drainage acres on city-owned property, with a target of 50% through operational efforts and 50% through physical upgrades.
• Don noted Bellevue's leadership in regional stormwater committees, with the assistant director adding that Don frequently chairs or vice-chairs these groups.
• The public hearing was opened and closed with no oral or written testimony. The commission will forward its comments and any public comments to the NPDES coordinator for consideration.

Wastewater System Plan Update

• Emily Flanagan, senior planning engineer, presented an update on the wastewater system plan, which is being updated for the first time since 2014. The plan covers Bellevue and neighboring communities (Medina, Clyde Hill, Yarrow Point, Hunts Point, Beaux Arts, and unincorporated King County).
• The system includes over 500 miles of sewer main, 130 miles of stubs, 36 pump stations, and 10 flush stations. Wastewater is conveyed to King County's Brightwater (8%) and South Treatment Center (92%) for treatment.
• A key driver for future capacity is population growth: the city's Comp Plan projects 50% growth by 2044, concentrated in downtown, Wilburton, and Bell-Red areas. Middle housing (up to 4 units per parcel under state law) adds uncertainty; the plan assumes 2,400 middle housing units by 2044 (about 10 per neighborhood per year). The utility is tracking actual development to adjust assumptions.
• Inflow and infiltration (I&I) from aging pipes and illegal connections is a major factor in pipe sizing. The city is conducting flow monitoring and modeling to identify and repair leaky sections.
• The utility continues a sewer extension program for about 1,500 parcels still on septic, which can limit growth and cause water quality issues.
• The Lake Washington Lake Lines Management Plan (completed 2024) will be adopted as part of the system plan. The implementation plan is underway for the highest-priority area, Meydenbauer Bay, where pipes may be relocated to the right-of-way.
• Community engagement is planned for late spring and fall 2026, with a focus on education and targeted outreach (e.g., focus groups, tabling at events). The commission encouraged more active recruitment of specific groups.
• The draft system plan is expected in early 2027, with approval targeted for mid-2027.

Utilities Financial Policies Review

• Matt, financial manager, presented an overview of the city's utility financial policies, which provide a framework for long-term fiscal sustainability, rate setting, and capital planning. No action was required from the commission at this meeting.
• Key policies include: long-term stewardship, rates that make utilities self-sufficient, integration of system plans into the capital improvement program (CIP), and adequate reserves.
• The utilities use a 75-year asset renewal and replacement forecast to guide capital funding. Reserves are sized based on risk: water has the highest (due to weather-sensitive sales), followed by sewer, stormwater (most stable), and solid waste.
• Matt outlined the budget calendar for the 2027-2028 biennium: the commission will receive updates on rate forecasts, CIP proposals, and budget recommendations through summer and fall 2026, with a final recommendation expected in October.
• Commissioners discussed the uncertainty of wholesale costs from King County (wastewater treatment) and Cascade Water Alliance (water supply). Matt noted that rising wholesale costs are a major pressure on rates and that the city participates in regional committees to advocate for stable rate increases. Commissioner DuPertis emphasized the need to plan for worst-case scenarios rather than relying on optimistic wholesale projections.
• The commission also discussed reserve targets, with Commissioner Laxon asking about the basis and review cadence. Reserves are evaluated periodically but have not been recently adjusted; they are adopted by city council.

Commission Calendar and Next Steps

• Scott, staff, reviewed the upcoming commission calendar, highlighting a heavy budget year with monthly presentations on rates, CIP, and budget proposals.
• In March 2026, the commission will receive updates on utility bill assistance concepts and the solid waste contract procurement process (current contract expires in 2028).
• The commission will also receive field trip options in May to tour CIP projects.
• The calendar is fluid and may shift depending on King County rate forecast timing and solid waste procurement progress.

Key Outcomes

• No votes or formal decisions were taken at this meeting.
• The commission's comments on the draft 2026 Stormwater Management Program will be submitted to the NPDES coordinator. No public testimony was received.
• The wastewater system plan update will proceed to community engagement in Q2 and Q4 2026, with draft policies on lake lines to be brought back to the commission later in the year.
• Utility financial policies will guide the development of budget and rate proposals, with commission work sessions scheduled from June through October 2026.
• The next commission meeting will include updates on utility bill assistance and solid waste contract procurement.