Arlington’s developing a plan to make its storm water cleaner

Published 10:45 pm Monday, March 16, 2009

ARLINGTON — Cleaning up dirty gutter water is its primary purpose.

When completed in 2010, the city’s proposed storm-water wetlands project also will offer a place to learn about the environment and a place to watch the eagles in the trees along the river.

The city plans a public meeting this month to tell people how the wetlands will clean up their storm water before it flows into the Stillaguamish River. City officials also hope to have a chance to ask people what features they want to see in the parklike setting of the wetlands.

Located along the river on the south side of Highway 9, the city’s 27-acre parcel has more than 1,400 feet of river frontage. The Stillaguamish is one of the largest rivers flowing into the inland waters of the greater Puget Sound region, and Arlington discharges the greatest amount of storm water into the river.

“It’s the goal of the city to be a good steward of the river,” public works director James Kelly said. “The wetlands should benefit the Stilly as well as the wildlife on the river.”

Storm water from gutters and ditches throughout the city ends up in a holding area and empties into a stream on the wetlands. As this meandering stream flows through the wetlands, pollutants in the water settle along the streambed and are filtered out by native plants growing there. The proposed wetlands should be able to handle the water produced in the worst of storms and floods, Kelly said.

The project is expected to cost close to $700,000, most of which comes from a $520,000 grant from the state Department of Ecology. Construction is set to begin in early 2010, Kelly said.

Cleaning water through a constructed wetland isn’t a new idea, Kelly said. It is, however, a good way to get the dirty water out. The filtration technique has improved over the years, and Arlington’s plans are top notch, he said.

City officials plan to sample the current quality of storm water flowing into the river in order to measure the level of improvement after construction of the wetlands, he said.

The city’s wetlands property was once home to a cedar shake mill and a family farm. If money is available, one of the old buildings on the property might be used for educational purposes, offering a chance to tell people about how to prevent pollution, how the wetlands work and the history of the site, Kelly said.

The new Eagle Trail that runs west from Haller Park under the Highway 9 bridge and along the river to the wetlands area already allows for public access. Eventually it should be a great place to watch wildlife, city spokeswoman Kristin Banfield said.

“It’s a great spot,” Banfield said. “I envision that this will be a place where the eagles will hang out.”

Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427, gfiege@heraldnet.com.