Regulations & Permits

Use this portal to filter and search for all of our regulatory information.

We oversee many state and federal laws designed to protect Washington's land, air, and water. See our laws, rules, & rulemaking page for more information about our current rules and rulemaking.

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Dam construction & modification guidance

We provide guidance and technical notes for dam construction and modification.

https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Guidance-technical-assistance/Dam-construction-modification-guidance

Dam operation & maintenance guidance

We provide guidance to assist dam owners with operations and maintenance.

https://ecology.wa.gov/programs/wr/dams/GuidanceDocs.html

Metering technical information

Find out about meter types, technical requirements, vendors, and installers.

https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Guidance-technical-assistance/Metering

Certified water right examiner certification

We share information to help you gain or maintain your certified water right examiner certification.

https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Permits-certifications/Certified-water-right-examiner

Dam permits

Construction or reservoir permits may be required for your project.

https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Permits-certifications/Dam-safety-permit

Water right permits

Talk to us before applying for a new water right or seeking a change to an existing right.

https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Permits-certifications/Water-right-permits

Water metering reporting

You can report your water meter use data using our online reporting system.

https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Reporting-requirements/Water-metering-reporting

Well construction reporting & well report gateway

Resource protection well reports can be submitted online.

https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Reporting-requirements/Well-construction-reporting

Water use compliance and enforcement

Enforcing water use laws reduces conflict among competing water users and protects the resource.

https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Compliance-enforcement/Water-use-compliance

Well construction notice of intent

Before you drill a well, you must submit a notice of intent to us 72 hours before drilling starts.

https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Reporting-requirements/well-construction-notice-of-intent

Well construction & licensing system

Search for notices of intent, licensed drillers, or drilling companies.

https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Guidance-technical-assistance/Well-construction-licensing-system

Well report (log) viewer

Search for wells and view availabile well reports (logs).

https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Guidance-technical-assistance/Well-report-gateway

Columbia River water use compliance

Our watermaster seeks to ensure water is legally available when out-of-stream users and the environment need it.

https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Compliance-enforcement/Water-use-compliance/Columbia-River-water-use-compliance

Water rights and dam safety policies, procedures & guidance

Policies, procedures & guidance guide our water right and dam safety work

https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Plans-policies/Water-rights-dam-safety-policies-procedures-guidan

Changes to existing water rights

If you want to change to an existing water right, we recommend a pre-application consultation.

https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Permits-certifications/Water-right-permits/Changes-to-existing-water-rights

Online tool: Well Construction (login required)

(SAW account required)

https://ecology.wa.gov/Asset-Collections/Link-Assets/Water-supply/Well-Construction

Online tool: Water use reporting (login required)

Review your metering account and submit your metering data (log-in required).

https://ecology.wa.gov/Asset-Collections/Link-Assets/Water-supply/Water-use-reporting

Online tool: Water Right Tracking System - Contractor Gateway

(log-in required)

https://ecology.wa.gov/Asset-Collections/Link-Assets/Water-supply/Water-Right-Tracking-System-Contractor-Gateway

Online tool: Well Construction and Licensing System

Search Ecology well records including: Notice of Intent to Construct or Decommission a well and state licensed well operators and drilling companies.

https://ecology.wa.gov/Asset-Collections/Link-Assets/Water-supply/Well-Construction-and-Licensing-System

Online tool: Ecology's Well Report Gateway (login required)

https://ecology.wa.gov/Asset-Collections/Link-Assets/Water-supply/Ecology-s-Well-Report-Gateway

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