Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

Learn how to count your business's dangerous waste and determine your generator category.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/dangerous-waste-basics/counting-dangerous-waste

Dental waste

Dental offices generate dangerous waste that must be disposed of properly.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste/dentists

Combined sewer overflows

We're working to control combined sewer overflows to keep water clean.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/combined-sewer-overflows

Cannabis licensing and the environment

Environmental permits may be required for cannabis growers and processors.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/guidance-for-cannabis-businesses

Acronyms & glossary for the Toxics Cleanup Program

We have a list of acronyms and terms commonly used in contaminated site cleanup work.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/toxic-cleanup-acronyms

Municipal stormwater permit guidance

We provide guidance for developing and implementing municipal stormwater management programs.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/stormwater-permittee-guidance-resources/municipal-stormwater-permit-guidance

Rulemaking at Ecology

Find out about our rulemaking activities.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/laws-rules-rulemaking/rulemaking

Municipal stormwater permit compliance assurance program

We use a proactive approach to ensuring the permits are implemented and effective.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/compliance-enforcement/municipal-stormwater-compliance-assurance-program

Construction Stormwater General Permit eCoverage Packet

The Construction Stormwater General Permit is switching from paper copies to an electronic packet.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/stormwater-general-permits/construction-stormwater-permit/ecoverage-packet

Municipal stormwater general permits

This permit covers urban areas that collect stormwater runoff in public storm sewer systems.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/stormwater-general-permits/municipal-stormwater-general-permits

Boatyard General Permit

This permit protects marine waters from toxics that can get into stormwater runoff from boatyards.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/boatyard-general-permit

SEPA checklist guidance, Section B: Utilities

Guidance to complete Utilities section of Part B of SEPA environmental checklist.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/sepa/environmental-review/sepa-guidance/sepa-checklist-guidance/sepa-checklist-section-b-environmental-elements/environmental-elements-16-utilities

On-site sewage system projects

Financial assistance for repairing and replacing on-site sewage systems, such as septic systems.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/water-quality-grants-and-loans/on-site-sewage-projects

Water quality permits

Permits protect water quality/public health & regulate treatment/discharge of wastewater/stormwater.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/water-quality-permits

Seattle and King County penalized for sewer overflow violations

December 12, 2024 News release: Ecology and EPA are issuing joint penalties to Seattle and King County for sewer overflow violations

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/dec-12-seattle-and-king-county-penalized-for-sewer-overflow-violations

Environmental Justice Assessments

Ecology will conduct an Environmental Justice Assessment when we're planning a significant action.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/environmental-justice/heal/environmental-justice-assessments

Seattle and King County penalized for sewer overflow violations

November 30, 2023 News release: Ecology and EPA issue penalties to Seattle and King County for violations related to combined sewer overflows from Seattle’s sewer system

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/nov-30-seattle-and-king-county-penalized-for-sewer-overflow-violations

Seattle and King County fined for sewer overflow violations

January 11, 2023 News release: Ecology and EPA are jointly issuing fines to Seattle and King County for violations of their federal consent decrees and state permits regulating combined sewer overflows from Seattle sewer systems.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/jan-11-seattle-and-king-co-fine-for-sewer-overflow

State penalizes Lakehaven Water and Sewer District $85,200 for polluting Cold Creek

October 3, 2023 News release: We’ve penalized the Lakehaven Water and Sewer District $85,200 and issued an administrative order related to 2022 discharges of incompletely treated wastewater.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/oct-3-lakehaven-water-sewer-district-penalty

King County fined for sewer overflow violations

November 6, 2019 News release: King County will pay $105,500 to Ecology and EPA for violating conditions of its state water quality permit that regulate combined sewer overflows from parts of the county’s sewer collection system.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/nov-6-king-county-sewer-overflow-violations

Midway Sewer District fined for September sewage spill

April 28, 2021 News release: We have fined the Midway Sewer District $21,000 for allowing raw sewage to flow into McSorley Creek in September 2020.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/april-28-midway-sewer-district-penalty

What you can do to manage animal waste

Prevent animal manure from harming rivers, lakes, and marine shellfish beds.

https://ecology.wa.gov/issues-and-local-projects/education-training/what-you-can-do/washington-waters-ours-to-protect/manage-animal-manure

Environmental penalties issued for the 3rd quarter of 2022

December 5, 2022 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology issued $36,400 in penalties of $1,000 or more from July through September 2022.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/dec-5-3rd-quarter-penalties

More than $300 million awarded to support clean water projects

June 21, 2023 News release: More than 125 clean water projects across Washington will receive $314 million in grants and loans from Ecology.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/june-21-more-than-300-million-awarded

Skagit Hamilton Lyman Coalition SMP: comprehensive and periodic review update

Public comment now closed on the Skagit Co. Coalition SMP comprehensive/periodic review update.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/shoreline-coastal-management/shoreline-coastal-planning/state-approved-shoreline-master-programs/skagit-hamilton-lyman-coalition

Awarding $312 million to communities for clean water projects

July 1, 2021 News release: Ecology is awarding $312 million in grants and loans for 108 high-priority clean water projects.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/july-1-awarding-312-million-to-communities-for-cl

Seattle and King County fined for sewer overflow violations

December 18, 2020 News release: We and EPA are fining King County $14,000 and Seattle $32,500 for violations of their combined sewer overflow consent decrees

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/dec-18-king-county-and-seattle-cso

Lakehaven Water and Sewer District settles penalty for sewage spills

July 11, 2024 News release: The Lakehaven Water and Sewer District has paid $40,000 to resolve violations of its water quality permit as part of a settlement agreement with Ecology.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/july-11-lakehaven-water-and-sewer-district-settlement

Washington communities to receive $309 million in clean water funding

June 28, 2024 News release: Ecology is awarding $309 million in clean water grants and loans.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/june-28-clean-water-funding

New Ecology rule updates dangerous waste regulations

October 1, 2020 News release: Washington has updated regulations preventing dangerous wastes from making their way into the environment.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/oct-1-new-ecology-rule-updates-dangerous-waste-reg

Rainwater collection

You don't need a water right permit to use water collected from your rooftop.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/water-recovery-solutions/rainwater-collection

Mukilteo company fined $70,500 for water quality violations

May 20, 2021 News release: We have fined Mukilteo aircraft parts maker Advanced Aero System $70,500 failing to ensure its industrial wastewater discharges met state pollution limits.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/may-20-advanced-aero-systems

Washington waters — ours to protect

You can make small changes at home, at play, and at work to help protect Washington's waters.

https://ecology.wa.gov/issues-and-local-projects/education-training/what-you-can-do/washington-waters-ours-to-protect

East Fork Lewis River Alternative Restoration Plan

Working with local governments and stakeholders to restore a clean, cool East Fork Lewis River.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/water-improvement/total-maximum-daily-load-process/directory-of-improvement-projects/east-fork-lewis-river

Environmental penalties for fourth quarter 2019

February 24, 2020 News release: Environmental penalties for fourth quarter 2019

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/feb-24-4th-quarter-penalites

Stormwater Community-Based Public-Private Partnership Program

We are awarding grants to develop and implement Community-based Public-Private Partnerships for Stormwater.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/water-quality-grants-and-loans/community-based-public-private-partnership-program

Water quality individual permits

Individual permits for a specific entity where discharges vary and do not fit a general category.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/water-quality-permits/water-quality-individual-permits

Environmental penalties for third quarter 2019

October 30, 2019 News release: Third quarter environmental penalties for 2019

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/oct-30-3rdq-penalties

Plan sets steps for protecting Padilla Bay’s tributaries from bacterial pollution

October 22, 2020 News release: We're inviting public comment on a plan to reduce high bacteria levels in streams that flow into Padilla Bay.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/oct-22-padilla-bay-tributaries

Environmental penalties for 2nd quarter of 2021

July 28, 2021 News release: Environmental penalties issued for the 2nd quarter of 2021 totaling $1,000 or more

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/july-28-2021-2nd-quarter-penalty-summary

Awarding $216 million to communities for clean water projects

June 22, 2020 News release: We are awarding $216 million in grants and loans to fund 81 high-priority clean water projects to help upgrade sewer systems, manage stormwater, and prevent nonpoint pollution.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/june-22-clean-water-grant-awards

New permit for Puget Sound wastewater treatment plants will reduce nutrient pollution

July 14, 2021 News release: Wastewater treatment plant upgrades will improve the health of Puget Sound under new Ecology permit.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/june-16-nutrient-permit

Environmental penalties issued for first half of 2023

September 28, 2023 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology issued $562,540 in penalties of $1,000 or more from Jan. 1, 2023 – June 30, 2023.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/sept-28-environmental-penalties-for-first-half-of-2023

How we help Puget Sound

We protect and restore Puget Sound through a wide variety of programs and activities.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/puget-sound/helping-puget-sound

Reporting & notification requirements

Get answers to common questions about reporting requirements of the municipal stormwater permits.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/stormwater-permittee-guidance-resources/municipal-stormwater-permit-guidance/reporting