Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

125 wastewater treatment plants earn outstanding performance honors

August 25, 2020 News release: 125 wastewater treatment plants earn outstanding performance awards for 2019.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/125-wastewater-treatment-plants-awards

Celebrating your local outstanding wastewater treatment plant

June 29, 2022 News release: Ecology is honoring wastewater treatment plant operators by recognizing 124 facilities with an Outstanding Performance Award.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/june-30-wastewater-treatment-plant-awards

109 wastewater treatment plants across Washington awarded for top performance

May 17, 2023 News release: 2023 winners of the outstanding wastewater treatment plant awards

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/may-17-outstanding-wastewater-treatment-plant-awar

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

126 wastewater treatment plants recognized for their performance in 2020

August 4, 2021 News release: 126 wastewater treatment plants achieve outstanding performance in 2020

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/aug-4-2021-wttp-awards

Outstanding performance awards go to 110 wastewater treatment plants

August 5, 2019 News release: Wastewater treatment plant operators play a critical role in keeping Washington’s waters clean. 110 wastewater treatment plants in Washington garnered top-performing status this year.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/aug-5-outstanding-performance-awards-for-wastewate

These wastewater treatment plants earn an A+ in clean water

August 4, 2019 Blog post:

Keeping a wastewater treatment plant in top-performing condition can be a tough job, so every year we recognize these top-notch facilities and their operators.

https://ecology.wa.gov/blog/august-2019/these-wastewater-treatment-plants-earn-an-a-in-cle

Balancing wildlife conservation and wastewater infrastructure in Pasco

January 2, 2025 Blog post:

The expansion of the Pasco Process Water Reuse Facility has been an example of how working together can lead to successful wildlife conservation and clean water infrastructure projects.

https://ecology.wa.gov/blog/january-2025/balancing-wildlife-conservation-and-wastewater-infrastructure-at-the-pasco-process-water-reuse-facil

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

Ecology investigating King County sewage discharge

July 19, 2019 News release: Ecology is investigating sewage treatment failures at King County’s two largest sewage treatment plants on July 18 and 19.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/july-19-ecology-investigating-king-county-sewage-d

Tacoma mill fined $52,500 for air quality violation

December 15, 2022 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology has fined WestRock CP, LLC $52,500 for failing to adequately treat hazardous air pollutants at their Tacoma mill.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/dec-15-westrock-tacoma-penalty

State fines City of Everett after discharge of incompletely treated wastewater to Snohomish River

October 27, 2022 News release: After a malfunctioning pump at Everett’s wastewater treatment facility allowed 9.9 million gallons of partially treated wastewater to flow into the Snohomish River, Ecology has fined the city $13,000.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/oct-27-city-of-everett-penalty

Ecology proposes updates to wastewater treatment plant operator certification program

March 13, 2019 News release: Proposed updates to Washington State Department of Ecology’s Wastewater Operator Certification Program reflect new treatment technologies, create opportunities for professional growth, and establish a new fee schedule.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/march-13-updates-to-operator-certification-program

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

Grays Harbor seafood processor fined for multiple water quality violations

April 14, 2022 News release: Pacific Seafood fined for water quality violations

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/pacific-seafood-fined-for-water-quality-violations

Tacoma mill settles air permit violation

July 12, 2023 News release: WestRock Tacoma reached a settlement agreement with Ecology for a penalty and compliance order issued in December 2022 for a violation of the company’s air quality permit.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/july-12-westrock-tacoma-penalty-settlement

Westport seafood plant penalized $222,000 for water quality violations

June 13, 2024 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology issued a $222,000 penalty to the Pacific Seafood-Westport facility for repeatedly sending polluted wastewater into Half Moon Bay in Westport.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/june-13-seafood-plant-penalized

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

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

Puget Sound wastewater treatment plants to tackle nutrient pollution with new permit

November 30, 2021 News release: Wastewater treatment plants to start controlling nutrient pollution with new permit.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/dec-1-puget-sound-nutrient-permit

Cosmopolis mill fined $18,000 for water quality violations

June 14, 2022 News release: Water quality violations at the Cosmo Specialty Fibers mill in Cosmopolis led to an $18,000 penalty from the Ecology.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/june-14-cosmo-specialty-fiber-penalty

South Bend seafood processor fined $33,000 for water quality violations

July 26, 2023 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology is penalizing South Bend Products $33,000 for multiple water quality violations.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/july-26-south-bend-seafoods-penalty

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

Weyerhaeuser mill fined $40,000 for water quality violations

February 17, 2022 News release: The Weyerhaeuser Company is being fined $40,000 for repeated water quality violations at its Longview mill.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/feb-17-weyerhaeuser-penalty

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

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

Vancouver fined $60,000 for spilling sewage into Columbia River

January 4, 2019 News release: We have fined the city of Vancouver $60,000 for spilling nearly 600,000 gallons of raw or partially treated sewage into the Columbia River in 2017

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/jan-4-vancouver

Ecology and Westport seafood processer settle penalty for water quality violations

July 12, 2022 News release: Pacific Seafood – Westport, LLC will pay $92,250 to the Washington Department of Ecology under an agreement to settle an appeal of a larger penalty for 49 water quality violations.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/july-11-pacific-seafood-settlement

Port Townsend mill fined $27,000 for water quality violations

May 17, 2022 News release: Repeated water quality violations at the Port Townsend Paper Corporation (PTPC) mill in Port Townsend led to a $27,000 penalty from the Washington Department of Ecology.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/may-17-ptpc-fined-for-water-quality-violations

Wallula paper mill fined $28,500 for air pollution

February 9, 2021 News release: Wallula paper mill fined $28,500 for air pollution.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/feb-9-wallula-paper-mill-fined-28-500-for-air-pol

Incentives for innovation included in proposed updates to permit fees

March 8, 2019 News release: Proposed updates to the water quality permit fees include new incentives, winery permit, and inflation adjustments

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/march-8-incentives-for-innovation-proposed-permit

Longview paper mill fined $68,000 for water quality violations

February 16, 2022 News release: Repeated water quality violations at the North Pacific Paper Company LLC (NORPAC) mill in Longview led to a $68,000 penalty from the Washington Department of Ecology.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/feb-16-norpac-penalty

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

Five facilities to receive updated requirements to protect Spokane River

December 29, 2021 News release: Five Washington facilities on the Spokane River are due for revisions to their wastewater permits, which will better protect the river.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/dec-27-updated-requirements-for-spokane-river

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

Loans for septic repairs and replacement now available to entire state

September 21, 2021 News release: Homeowners in every county can now access loans to repair and replace septic systems

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/sept-21-septic-loans

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

EPA approves Budd Inlet water cleanup plan

January 10, 2023 News release: Last month, the Washington Department of Ecology received approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its water quality cleanup plan for Budd Inlet.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/jan-10-epa-approves-budd-inlet-tmdl

Ecology proposes 2-year freeze on water quality permit fees

March 15, 2021 News release: Every two years we update the water quality permit fees.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/march-16-2-year-freeze-on-water-quality-permit-fee

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

Seafood company reaches settlement over permit issues

June 24, 2024 News release: Seafood company South Bend Products will pay $16,000 to resolve violations of its water quality permit as part of a settlement agreement with the Washington Department of Ecology.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/june-24-seafood-company-settlement

Updated clean water permit for Simplot Feeders, a large livestock operation, available for review

April 10, 2025 News release: We are seeking feedback on updates to the water quality permit for Simplot Feeders, the largest cattle feedlot in Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/april-10-simplot-feeders-permit-updates

Summary of environmental penalties issued for 1st quarter of 2021

April 26, 2021 News release: We issued $82,300 in penalties of $1,000 or more from January through March of 2021.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/april-29-1st-quarter-penalties

Sewage treatment violations lead to order and fine for King County

February 3, 2021 News release: Ecology is taking enforcement action at two King County wastewater treatment plants

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/feb-3-king-county-wastewater-treatment-plant-enfor

Environmental penalties issued for the 4th quarter of 2022

April 25, 2023 News release: Ecology issued $273,090 in penalties of $1,000 or more from October through December 2022. Penalties are issued for serious violations or those that continue after Ecology assistance or warnings.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/4th-quarter-2022-environmental-penalties

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

Environmental penalties issued for the 2nd quarter of 2022

August 4, 2022 News release: Summary of environmental penalties issued in the second quarter of 2022.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/aug-4-second-quarter-penalties-2022

Summary of environmental penalties issued for the 3rd quarter of 2020

November 15, 2020 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology issued $7,000 in penalties of $1,000 or more from July through September of 2020.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/nov-16-3rd-quarter-penalty-summary

Proposal to apply biosolids at five Lewis County sites now open to public review

October 14, 2020 News release: Fire Mountain Farms biosolids comment period

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/oct-14-fire-mountain-farms-biosolids-comment-peri

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