South Tacoma Groundwater Protection District Code Updates Adopted by the Tacoma City Council
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~ The Tacoma City Council has recently made significant changes to the South Tacoma Groundwater Protection District (STGPD) Code and related sections of the Tacoma Municipal Code (TMC) Title 13. These amendments aim to strengthen groundwater protections, improve enforcement, and align regulations with state requirements and the best available science.

The South Tacoma Aquifer, which is part of the Central Pierce County Sole Source Aquifer, is a crucial source of drinking water for the city. During peak summer months, it supplies up to 50% of Tacoma's total water demand. However, this vital resource has faced contamination risks from spills, leaks, and improper handling of hazardous substances by local industries.

To address these threats, the City of Tacoma established the STGPD in 1988 as an overlay zone that regulates hazardous materials and places restrictions on high-impact land uses that could compromise groundwater resources.

The newly adopted amendments are the result of a multi-year process that began in 2021. This process included a work plan, technical studies using best available science, a Health Impact Assessment (HIA), and extensive public engagement through community meetings, two advisory committees, public hearings, Planning Commission review, and finally, City Council approval.

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Some key updates contained within the package passed by City Council include prohibiting high-impact land uses such as underground storage tanks and metal recycling/auto wrecking facilities to reduce groundwater contamination risk. The amendments also strengthen enforcement and monitoring tools for faster action on violations.

Additionally, there are clarifications on the timing and frequency of future code reviews using the best available science at least once every 10 years. The STGPD has also been integrated into the City's Critical Areas Preservation Ordinance. Maps have been updated to include the Manitou neighborhood and Wellhead Protection Areas Time of Travel Zones.

Other improvements include landscaping standards to increase tree canopy coverage and stormwater infiltration standards to reduce impervious surfaces in industrial areas. These changes aim to improve infiltration and mitigate heat. There is also an expansion of outreach to businesses and residents about protecting groundwater.

This update is the result of a collaborative effort between the City's Planning and Development Services Department, Environmental Services Department, Tacoma Water, and the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. This highlights the importance of working together to safeguard Tacoma's drinking water supply.

For more information about the STGPD Code amendments, including maps and details on impacted uses, visit tacoma.gov/stgpd.

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