Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

Water quality designated uses help us protect Washington's waters, and the many ways they're used.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/water-quality-standards/designated-uses

Permitting federal and tribal activities under the Shoreline Management Act is complex.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/shoreline-coastal-management/shoreline-coastal-planning/shoreline-management-act-sma/shoreline-management-act-jurisdiction/federal-and-tribal-activities

Tacoma Smelter Plume project

We are managing arsenic and lead contamination risks from the former Asarco smelter in Tacoma.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/cleanup-sites/tacoma-smelter

What is vapor intrusion?

Some common chemicals in groundwater can move into buildings and impact indoor air quality.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/cleanup-sites/uw-tacoma/vapor-intrusion

WCC alumni resources

As a WCC alumnus, you are eligible for the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award as well as other networking and career resources offered through WCC and AmeriCorps.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/jobs-at-ecology/washington-conservation-corps/alumni-resources

Contaminated sites with PFAS in drinking water

Some sites on our Contaminated Sites List have groundwater contaminated with PFAS. See these cleanup sites, check your water, and find health resources.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/cleanup-sites/sites-with-pfas-in-drinking-water

Dangerous waste reports & fees

Businesses that generate or store dangerous waste or chemicals must submit reports and pay fees.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/business-waste/reports-fees

Report burning and air quality issues

Report smoke, suspicious activity, or air quality violations.

https://ecology.wa.gov/footer-pages/report-an-environmental-issue/report-burning-and-air-quality-issues

Safer Salons Partnership

Small salons in Washington have the opportunity to apply for financial assistance in switching to safer hair care products.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-toxic-chemicals/product-replacement-program/safer-salons

PCB light replacement in schools

Learn about our PCB light replacement program in schools and apply to participate.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-toxic-chemicals/product-replacement-program/pcb-lights

Discharge limits for domestic wastewater facilities

Wastewater treatment plants must meet minimum performance standards/technology-based effluent limits

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/wastewater/discharge-standards-limits

Well Construction Technical Advisory Group

Our regulations are developed and revised by the Well Construction Technical Advisory Group (TAG).

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/accountability-transparency/partnerships-committees/boards-councils/well-construction-technical-advisory-group

How to submit UST documents electronically

Submit underground storage tank documents electronically with TEDS, the TCP External Document Submission Portal.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/ust-owner-and-operator-resources/submitting-electronic-ust-documents

Funded Affordable Housing Cleanup Grants

See Affordable Housing Grants funded in the current and recent budgets.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/payments-contracts-grants/grants-loans/find-a-grant-or-loan/affordable-housing-cleanup-grants/funded-grants

How to report a dam emergency

If you are witnessing a dam failure call 911 and state that this is a dam safety emergency.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/dams/info-for-the-public/report-an-emergency

Funded Affordable Housing Planning Grants

See Affordable Housing Planning Grants funded in the current and recent budgets.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/payments-contracts-grants/grants-loans/find-a-grant-or-loan/affordable-housing-planning/funded-grants

FAQs & resources

Frequently asked questions about hydrofluorocarbon compliance

https://ecology.wa.gov/air-climate/reducing-greenhouse-gas-emissions/hydrofluorocarbons/faq-resources

Biosolids program contacts

We have staff in our headquarters and region offices around the state to help you.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-recycling-waste/biosolids/program-contacts

Copy fee schedule for public records

See fee schedule for requests to copy public records.

https://ecology.wa.gov/footer-pages/public-records-requests/fee-schedule

Scientific services

Learn about the scientific services we offer to publicly-funded and government agencies.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/our-programs/environmental-assessment/scientific-services

Find your watershed (WRIA)

Use an address to find a watershed's water resources inventory area description.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/water-availability/in-your-watershed/watershed-look-up

ADA complaint procedure

Complaint procedure information for those believing they have been subject to ADA discrimination.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/accessibility-equity/accessibility/ada-complaint-procedure

Y-Valve education pilot program

The Y-Valve education pilot program

https://ecology.wa.gov/ecologys-work-near-you/river-basins-groundwater/puget-sound/no-discharge-zone/pump-out-dont-dump-out/y-valve-education-pilot

Organics management for businesses

Many businesses in Washington must arrange for organic materials collection.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-recycling-waste/organics-and-food-waste/2022-organics-management-law/organics-management-for-businesses

Expedited Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) process

The Expedited VCP process is designed to encourage cleanup and redevelopment.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/voluntary-cleanup-program/vcp-expedited

Stormwater management program components

Get answers to common questions about implementing municipal stormwater permits.

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

Permit fees

You must pay a fee if you are covered by a wastewater or stormwater discharge permit.

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

PFAS in West Plains private wells

We are working with local, state, and federal agencies and the community to understand and address groundwater contamination in the West Plains.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/cleanup-sites/sites-with-pfas-in-drinking-water/west-plains-pfas

Water quality assessment Policy 1-11

Water quality policy 1-11 guides how we make decisions to list waters as polluted.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/water-improvement/assessment-of-state-waters-303d/assessment-policy-1-11

Hirst decision

A state Supreme Court decision changed how counties issue building permits that use exempt wells.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/water-rights/case-law/hirst-decision

Swimming standards & saltwater quality

Water quality standards are designed to protect people from illnesses at saltwater swimming beaches.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/saltwater/beach-program/swimming-standard-and-water-quality

Options for contaminated site cleanup

Under Washington law, you have four options for cleaning up a site contaminated by hazardous waste.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/cleanup-process/cleanup-options

Frequently asked questions

Do you have questions about cleanup at the UW Tacoma site? We have answers.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/cleanup-sites/uw-tacoma/common-questions

Yard cleanup program

We are using a large part of the Asarco settlement to sample and replace soil in residential yards.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/cleanup-sites/tacoma-smelter/yard-cleanup-program

Everett smelter cleanup in parks

Cleanup of American Legion Park, Wiggums Hollow Park, and Viola Oursler Park is complete.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/cleanup-sites/everett-smelter/parks-cleanup

Developing Dam Emergency Action Plans (EAPs)

An emergency action plan helps dam owners act quickly and strategically to reduce risks and damages.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/dams/info-for-dam-owners/emergency-action-plan

Nonpoint funding requirements

Resources for Water Quality Program-funded projects that address nonpoint sources of water pollution

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/water-quality-grants-and-loans/nonpoint-funding-requirements

I want to...

Quickly find topics and information on Ecology's website.

https://ecology.wa.gov/footer-pages/i-want-to

2025 legislative priorities

For the 2025 legislative session, we are proposing agency request bills for consideration.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/budget-legislative-priorities/2025-legislative-priorities

Cost reimbursement

Cost reimbursement processing is an option for expedited water right application processing

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/water-rights/cost-reimbursement

Skagit River basin mitigation program

There is a limited quantity of water available for landowners within the mitigation zone.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/protecting-stream-flows/instream-flow-implementation/skagit-river-basin/water-supply/mitigation-program

Replace PERC dry cleaning equipment

Switching from PERC dry cleaning to wet cleaning or hydrocarbon may qualify you for financial help.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-toxic-chemicals/product-replacement-program/replace-perc

Emergency incidents: what owners should do

It is important for dam owners to be prepared for earthquakes, floods, and wildfires.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/dams/info-for-dam-owners/earthquakes-floods-wildfires

Reducing air pollution from cars

Ways to reduce air pollution emissions from motor vehicles.

https://ecology.wa.gov/ecologys-work-near-you/earth-day/reducing-car-pollution

Grants & loans

Get information about grants and loans that benefit the health of our land, air, and water.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/payments-contracts-grants/grants-loans

What you can do to reduce greenhouse gases

Learn how you can lessen the effects of climate change by reducing your greenhouse gases.

https://ecology.wa.gov/air-climate/reducing-greenhouse-gas-emissions/what-you-can-do

Reserve accounts

Reserve accounts are special holdings accounts that are set aside for specific uses.

https://ecology.wa.gov/air-climate/climate-commitment-act/cap-and-invest/reserve-accounts

Hazardous waste planning fee

If your business submits a Pollution Prevention Plan, you may need to pay this fee.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/business-waste/reports-fees/hazardous-waste-planning-fee

Water rights

A water right is the legal authorization to use a quantity of water for beneficial uses.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/water-rights

Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act guidance for cosmetologists

Businesses in Washington must ensure the cosmetic products they sell or use for services are compliant with the state’s Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act (TFCA).

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-toxic-chemicals/washingtons-toxics-in-products-laws/toxic-free-cosmetics-act/guidance-for-cosmetologists