While Stillwaters does its best to keep track of the water quality in the Carpenter Creek Watershed and its connection to Apple Tree Cove, there are some others water courses that we know little about: the stormwater ditches, drains and piped waterways streaming under our feet when it rains in Kingston.

To keep all our waters healthy, Kitsap County is working with the community to integrate “green” stormwater management solutions with the “gray” stormwater piping system in Kingston. Stormwater improvements may include more conventional concrete “gray” stormwater pipes and catch basins, but there are great opportunities to add “green” infrastructure, including rain gardens and permeable pavement. Green stormwater techniques use natural features to absorb rainwater and improve water quality.

Currently, while Kingston has some stormwater infrastructure, its pipes only have limited capacity. Some areas pipes could not handle any new or additional development, requiring anyone who wishes to develop new homes and businesses to install costly stormwater retention systems. There are hopes this project can size stormwater systems that will address these capacity needs and help reduce costs for future development.

Kingston also has no stormwater treatment.  While most of the water is moved off the roadways and streets to provide safe passage on roadways and sidewalks, it is just diverted, as quickly as possible, to Apple Tree Cove — transferring all the oil, dirt, metals from brake linings, trash and others pollutants on paved areas, directly to our cove and Puget Sound.

This project will identify places on public property, private property and road right-of-way to manage stormwater on-site in a cleaner, more attractive way. Five areas are being studied: downtown core, 104 Corridor (up to Lindvog Road), Village Green, Eastside, and the Lindvog area. The project team has already identified some candidate sites and has some ideas for their designs. These types of stormwater management structures look more line planters that water retention structures.  They allow us to enlist plants in our stormwater management.

Learn more at the Kingston Citizens Advisory Council meeting Jan. 4, 7 p.m., at North Kitsap Fire and Rescue, 26642 Miller Bay Road NE, in Kingston.The Kingston Green Stormwater Retrofit Project Team will explain the methods of soaking up stormwater runoff on site and the potential benefits to our waterways. In addition, the top locations for stormwater retrofits will be discussed.

Your input will help prioritize the retrofit projects.