The Northlake Commons Regional Bioswale cleans over 2.6 million gallons of polluted runoff annually.

The Northlake Commons Regional Bioswale received the Innovative Stormwater Award at the Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association Conference! This recognition highlights how the project captures, filters, and cleans stormwater from surrounding streets before it reaches Lake Union.

Taking advantage of the site’s 30-foot grade change, the system moves more than 100 gallons of water per minute through filters, runnels, and a planted swale that doubles as pollinator habitat. Each year it treats over 2.6 million gallons of polluted roadway runoff, protecting salmon and improving the health of our waterways.

This was the first time in Seattle that public stormwater was diverted onto private property for treatment. By going beyond code requirements and teaming up with Seattle Public Utilities, this project created a model for public-private stormwater infrastructure that can be repeated across the city, proving how development can improve water quality while giving back to the community.

Director of Sustainability / Landscape Architecture Principal Rachael Meyer and Brian Mickelson of Seattle Public Utilities with the award.

Congratulations to the team including Seattle Public Utilities, HessCallahanGrey Group, KPFF Consulting Engineers.