City of Olympia, WA

06/11/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/11/2026 10:48

06/11/2026 - Water Resources News

Outdoor Water Savers

Save water outdoors this summer with our FREE outdoor water savers!
  • Outdoor Kit:
    • Adjustable spray nozzle
    • Hose repair supplies
    • Rain/sprinkler gauge - you only need about 1" per week!
  • Hose Watering Timer
  • Moisture Meter
Pick up your FREE water savers from the City Hall front desk Monday-Thursday, 9am-4pm. Can't make it to City Hall? You can request items via mail by emailing [email protected]

We also offer rebates for rain barrels, irrigation spray nozzles and smart irrigation controllers.
Learn More
What We Heard
Last fall, we asked for your input on the draft 2026 Stormwater Management Program Plan. The feedback we got is helping us improve our stormwater programs with the goal of creating a healthier and more resilient Olympia.

The final 2026 Stormwater Management Program Plan will be in effect through March of 2027. The last part of the document provides a report back to the Olympia community on what we heard. It highlights the community's top concerns, major themes, key issues and how we are using the information shared with us. To view the full survey results and unedited comments, please see appendix A of the document.

We would like to thank everyone who took our survey, we appreciate the time and thought put into your responses!
View the Plan

Clean Cars, Healthy Streams

How You Wash Matters
When we wash our cars in our driveways, pollutants like soaps, oil, grease and heavy metals can flow into storm drains and straight to our local streams, rivers, lakes and the Salish Sea. Even small amounts of these pollutants can negatively affect water quality, wildlife and people. Wash right!

Use a Commercial Car Wah
When possible, use a commercial car wash, where dirty wash water is treated and recycled before entering local waterways.

Wash on Grass or Gravel
If you wash your car at home, choose a surface like grass or gravel instead of pavement. Soil and vegetation act as natural filters, helping trap and break down pollutants before they reach groundwater or nearby streams. Other helpful tips include:
  • Use a bucket and use a spray nozzle or turn off the hose.
  • Choose soap carefully and use less.
  • Keep wash water out of storm drains.
The choices we make around car washing play a role in the health of our waterways. Taking a little extra care reduces pollution at the source and supports the long-term health of fish, wildlife and our communities.

It may seem like a small change, but it makes a big difference!
Contact
Olympia Public Works
360753.8333
[email protected]
City of Olympia, WA published this content on June 11, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 11, 2026 at 16:48 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]