If it is an emergency, call 9-1-1. The city has staff standing by during all nonregular hours that can respond to emergencies. If it is not an emergency, you can leave a message at (425) 622-9403 and the report will be reviewed on the next regular working day.

An emergency would be considered any situation where there is a clear and present safety exposure to the public. Some examples would be a fallen stop sign, a tree blocking a public roadway, flooding on a public street, a mud slide into a roadway, or a downed street light. If in doubt, call 9-1-1 to report a situation. If it is not an emergency, call (425) 622-9403.

Storm ponds can be public or private. The City provides maintenance only on public ponds. Private ponds are required to regularly be cleaned and maintained by the associated homeowners. You can contact the City at (425) 622-9403 to find out if a pond is public or private.

Typical maintenance activities include removing vegetation, excavating accumulated sediment, and checking the control outlet structure for proper operations.

If you are interested in applying for a position that is currently open, you must complete and submit a City of Lake Stevens application form and/or other materials during the filing period. The opening and closing dates are listed on the job announcement. Applications submitted after the final closing date will not be accepted.

As you complete the application form, make sure you pay close attention to the qualifications, education, and experience needed for the job. Describe the areas of your qualifications, experience, or education that show you meet those requirements. When your application is reviewed, our staff will match the qualifications, experience, and training on your application with the requirements given on the announcement to determine if you qualify for the position.

How do I apply for a Police Officer position?

We don't accept resumes or applications for positions that aren't open.  If you'd like to be notified of future employment opportunities, use our "Notify Me" feature to be notified of employment opportunities and other news and alerts.

You must complete and submit application materials for each open position for which you want to be considered. Remember that every job classification will have different qualifications. Include information about your educational background, experience, and relevant licenses you hold that show how you meet the stated qualifications on the announcement.

Our Human Resources team is committed to ensuring that the application process is easy and user-friendly.  Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m., and we're available to assist you in several ways:

• In-person at City Hall, 1812 Main St.
• Via email at HR@LakeStevensWA.gov
• Via telephone at (425) 622-9420

During non-business hours, you may contact:

• NEOGOV/GovernmentJobs online applicant support
• NEOGOV/GovernmentJobs telephone support at (855) 524-5627

The turn around time for notification varies depending on the number of applications received for a position. Typically, applicants are notified of their status within three to four days after the closing date on the job announcement.

All appointments to vacancies shall be made solely on the basis of job-related qualifications. These qualities shall be determined through careful and impartial evaluation of the following:

• The applicant’s level of training, experience and education relative to the requirements of the position
• The results of an oral interview(s)
• The results of a written or practical examination when deemed advisable by the hiring Department
• Satisfactory reference and background information as applicable

To report a violation, you may call the Lake Stevens Police Department at (425) 334-9537. If it is an emergency situation call 911.

Generally, the lake has been one of the cleanest water bodies around, but sometimes conditions change. For more information on current lake water quality, visit the Lake Health page.

We have a whole page dedicated to the lake water quality. Please visit this page for more information. 

Lake Stevens is a water of the State of Washington and it is regulated by multiple Federal, State, County and Local agencies. The City of Lake Stevens and Snohomish County share the management responsibilities for the lake’s operations. The primary reason for regulating the lake levels is to maintain a summer and fall flow in the lake’s outfall channel for fish habitat.

Table 2 shows the target lake levels that are sought throughout the year.  These elevations were determined based on the ideal elevation to achieve a continuous flow in the outfall channel during the summer and fall months when water flows in streams are typically at their lowest.

Algae growth is a normal process in natural water bodies. Most algae are harmless and aren’t even noticed by lake users, but sometimes algae can grow rapidly or “bloom.” A bloom refers to prolific growth of one or two algae species in the lake. Algae blooms can appear differently. For more information on harmful or potential toxic algae visit Snohomish County Lake Management https://snohomishcountywa.gov/1959/Algae-Toxic-Algae or contact the Environmental Programs Team at environmentalprograms@lakestevenswa.gov 

Lake level is largely driven by precipitation and runoff to the lake. In the summer months, the city maintains a weir (e.g., dam) to increase the water elevation in the summer months for recreation. Please refer to the Lake Management page to see the current and the historical levels of the lake. For more information regarding weir management, please refer to the Lake Level Management Plan.

Don’t feed birds or ducks near swimming areas

• Waterfowl are part of the parasite's lifecycle. Feeding them encourages them to stay, increasing the chance of parasite contamination.

Rinse off and dry quickly

• Towel off immediately after getting out of the water. Rubbing your skin briskly with a towel may remove parasites before they burrow in.
• Rinse with clean water if possible (not just lake water).

Apply water-repellent creams or lotions

• Barrier creams like petroleum jelly or waterproof sunscreens may help prevent parasites from reaching your skin.

Avoid early morning swims

• Cercariae (the parasites) tend to be more active in the morning and when the water is warmer.

Swim in deeper water

• Parasites are mostly found in shallow, calm water. Swimming farther from shore reduces risk.

There are native, healthy "weeds" that provide food and habitat for wildlife, and non-native, invasive plants. For more information, please visit Snohomish County's website at Aquatic Plant Identification | Snohomish County, WA - Official Website, or contact environmentalprograms@lakestevenswa.gov. 

Yes, a claim form can be signed electronically.

Yes, submitting a claim form is a requirement as per RCW 4.96

This depends on the type of claim filed and the complexity of the investigation. Some claims might be resolved within weeks while others might take significantly longer. Upon submitting your claim you usually will be contacted within two weeks to keep you informed about the current status of your claim.

You have the following options to submit a claim form:

• In person, by dropping it off at Lake Stevens City Hall located at:
  1812 Main St.
  Lake Stevens,
  WA 98258.
• By mail 
  PO Box 257,
  Attn. Risk Management
  Lake Stevens
  WA 98258
• By email: risk@lakestevenswa.gov

You can provide estimates with the submission of your claim, but it is not necessary. You can always submit your claim first and provide additional documentation when the claim investigator asks for it.

Responding to spills helps to keep our waterways (such as a lake, stream, ditch, or storm drains) clean and healthy. 

If you see a spill M-F 8:00am - 4:00pm, please call the Public Works hotline at 425-622-9403 to notify us.

If you see a spill outside of our normal business hours (including holidays) please dial 9-1-1 to have it directed to the on-call Public Works staff.

When to call 9-1-1 immediately:

• A person is in the process of dumping pollution in a storm drain or waterway
• A large chemical or oil spill (about five gallons or more) on the ground or waterway
• Raw sewage spill

Thank you for doing your part to help keep our community safe and clean!

For general inquiries related to water quality or drainage concerns, please submit a Service Request and our Public Works team will investigate. To submit a Service Request, please either use:

CitizenVUE app from your mobile device

-or- 

Click here:  Service Request Portal (lakestevenswa.gov)

Thank you for doing your part to help keep our community safe and clean!

We have an outreach program with education, stewardship, and leadership opportunities for interested individuals. Contact the Environmental Programs Team at environmentalprograms@lakestevenswa.gov or visit Education and Outreach (Page coming Summer 2025).

Surface Water Utility fees help fund the maintenance of the stormwater system, pollution prevention, education programs, and projects that protect water quality and reduce flooding. 

Stormwater is the water that drains off properties and streets, which gets conveyed to the surface water of natural streams and lakes. The City addresses stormwater in a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) utility. It is not sewage, which is collected in its own system (separate from stormwater), and managed by the Lake Stevens Sewer District. It is also not drinking water, which is delivered in a utility by the Public Utility District 1 of Snohomish County. Please visit this site for more information.

The National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) is a regulatory component of the Federal Clean Water Act that protects our surface waters through best management practices and requirements to implement stormwater management. For more information, visit the Stormwater Management page. 

Generally speaking, only rain should go down the drain. For a full list of allowable, conditional, and prohibited discharges, refer to the city code.

We have implemented a Source Control Program to help businesses implement best management practices for stormwater management. Please refer to city code outlining this program. For more information, contact environmentalprograms@lakestevenswa.gov. 

The rules are outlined in the city code.

Call the Public Works Department at 425-622-9403 or report it on the Service Request Portal If it’s safe and you’re able, you can clear debris yourself to help prevent flooding. 

While most stormwater flows untreated into our natural water bodies, some systems include treatment features such as detention vaults, stormwater ponds, or filter cartridges. These help capture and treat runoff, but not all areas are equipped with them. That’s why it’s still important to keep stormwater as clean as possible from the source. 

No. These must connect conditionally to the stormwater system or be discharged on-site according to city code. Connection to the city stormwater system requires a Right-of-Way (ROW) Permit. Contact Public Works for guidance at pw-info@lakestevenswa.gov. 

Surface Water Utility fees help fund the maintenance of the stormwater system, pollution prevention, education programs, and projects that protect water quality and reduce flooding.