Source Control Inspections
Public Works | Natural Resources Division
About the Program
The Skagit Regional Source Control Inspection Program is partnership between Skagit County, Mount Vernon, Burlington, and Sedro-Woolley. Certain activities and materials can contaminate stormwater, which flows into natural waterways. Rivers, streams, lakes, and marine waters may get polluted. These are the waters we play in, fish in, harvest shellfish from, and drink.
State and federal law requires cities and counties to inspect businesses for possible sources of pollution.
State and federal law also requires business owners to manage and dispose of waste properly. Our program helps business owners identify possible sources of pollution and solve the problem.
We will notify business owners by letter, email, or phone before their inspections. Translation services are available by request.
Sources of Pollution
Sources of stormwater pollution include:
- Dumped or spilled wash water
- Fertilizer, pesticides, and herbicides
- Leaky vehicles
- Open or leaky barrels of material
- Open or leaky dumpsters
- Storm drains and catch basins that are full of litter or sediment
- Uncovered metals and other materials
Inspections
These inspections aim to be unintrusive. We will inspect only around the outside of your building. You are not required to be present for the process, but we encourage you to participate.
We will send a letter before your first inspection. If we identify possible sources of pollution, we will work with you to find pollution reduction techniques known to correct the problem. Our team will follow up with you to make sure solutions are working. We are also happy to answer questions and provide technical support at any time. We may reinspect businesses to follow up on any changes that were needed.
If you would like to be present during the inspection, you may call ahead to schedule. Otherwise, the inspector will arrive during business hours, and you may request to reschedule if necessary.
Translation accommodations are available by request.
Best Practices
Best management practices (BMPs) are things you can do at your business to reduce stormwater pollution.
Some of the BMPs we will look for at your business include:
- A spill kit and spill plan.
- Closed and non-leaking cooking oil bins.
- Closed and non-leaking dumpsters.
- Secondary containment for materials like oil, used oil, fuel, and other chemicals.
- Wash water being dumped to indoor sewer systems, not into storm drains.
- Well maintained storm drains.
