Winery general permit
Washington is the second-largest wine-producing state in the nation. If not properly managed, corrosive wastewater from wineries can potentially harm aquatic life and even people.
Washington's first Winery General Permit regulates discharges of process wastewater from wineries to land, groundwater, and wastewater treatment plants. No surface water discharges are allowed under this permit.
The permit was issued on May 17, 2018, went into effect on July 1, 2019, and expires on July 1, 2024.
Join our email list to receive email updates about this permit.
Permit documents
- Winery General Permit (effective July 1, 2019)
- Fact sheet (This is a reference document for the Winery General Permit)
- Addendum 1: Appendix D – Response to Comments
- Addendum 2: Appendix E – Comments
- Economic Impact Analysis
- SEPA Checklist and Determination of Nonsignificance
Why did we develop a general permit for wineries?
The general permit supports both clean water and a robust wine industry. The new permit establishes wastewater management practices for wineries to prevent pollution and protect Washington waters. If not properly managed, process wastewater from wineries can:
- Damage soil and crops.
- Kill aquatic life.
- Degrade the infrastructure in wastewater treatment plants.
- Mobilize metals from the soil into groundwater, which can harm people.
We will continue to work closely with industry and interested people
With the help of the wine industry, stakeholders, and input from the public, we developed a permit that contains good waste management practices for wineries. These practices will help protect groundwater, surface water, and wastewater treatment plants.
Throughout the life of the permit, we will continue to:
- Build cooperative relationships with winery owners and operators.
- Gain a better understanding of the quantity and quality of wastewater discharges from Washington wineries.
- Learn from permittees what practices and tools work best to effectively manage their wastewater.
See our Guidance and Resources section for more information on how we are continuing to work with our stakeholders.
Permit application and resources
For facilities located in the following counties:
Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan, and Yakima counties
Assistance with permit requirements or site-specific questions:
Lucila Cornejo
lucila.cornejo@ecy.wa.gov
509-823-7912
Assistance applying for coverage, finding or completing forms, or drafting public notices:
Monica Martinez
monica.martinez@ecy.wa.gov
509-454-7295
Mail forms to:
Attn: WQ Winery Permit Coordinator
Washington State Department of Ecology
Central Regional Office
1250 West Alder Street
Union Gap, WA 98903-0009
For facilities located in the following counties:
Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman counties
Assistance with permit requirements or site-specific questions:
Jefferson Davis
jefferson.davis@ecy.wa.gov
509-329-3565
Assistance applying for coverage, finding or completing forms, or drafting public notices:
Jefferson Davis
jefferson.davis@ecy.wa.gov
509-329-3565
Mail forms to:
Attn: WQ Winery Permit Manager
Washington State Department of Ecology
Eastern Regional Office
4601 North Monroe Street Suite 202
Spokane, WA 99205-1295
For facilities located in the following counties:
Island, King, Kitsap, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties
Assistance with permit requirements or site-specific questions:
Steve Hood
steve.hood@ecy.wa.gov
360-255-4396
Assistance applying for coverage, finding or completing forms, or drafting public notices:
Tricia Miller
tricia.miller@ecy.wa.gov
206-594-0167
Mail forms to:
Attn: WQ Winery Permit Coordinator
Washington State Department of Ecology
Northwest Regional Office
PO BOX 330316
Shoreline, WA 98133-9716
For facilities located in the following counties:
Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, Skamania, Thurston, or Wahkiakum counties
Contact with permit requirements, or site-specific questions:
Jessica McConnell
jessica.mcconnell@ecy.wa.gov
360-690-4796
For assistance applying for coverage, finding or completing forms, or drafting public notices:
Melinda Wilson
melinda.wilson@ecy.wa.gov
360-407-6280
Mail forms to:
Attn: WQ Winery Permit Coordinator
Washington State Department of Ecology
Southwest Regional Office
300 Desmond Drive
P.O. Box 47775
Olympia, WA 98504-7775
Related links
Contact information
Danielle Edelman
Winery Permit Writer
Danielle.Edelman@ecy.wa.gov
360-763-2597