Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

PFAS contamination at Joint Base Lewis McChord and surrounding communities

Ecology monitors multiple cleanup sites at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. This page focuses on PFAS contamination in the groundwater.

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

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

We work to prevent PFAS compounds from impacting human health and the environment.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-toxic-chemicals/addressing-priority-toxic-chemicals/pfas

Ecology near you

Ecology is at work statewide to protect your air, water and quality of life. Learn more about our regions.

https://ecology.wa.gov/ecologys-work-near-you/regional-work

Cleaning up contamination

See how cleanup projects work and where they are located. Learn about options if your property is contaminated.

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

Shoptalk

Shoptalk is our dangerous waste and pollution prevention newsletter. This publication comes out three times a year with information on best practices, rulemaking, and reporting deadlines.

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

Taking action against toxic chemicals

We enforce regulations and develop policies to reduce toxic chemicals in consumer products and the environment.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-toxic-chemicals

Cleanup site: Bailer Hill Area PFAS

The Bailer Hill Area is a cleanup site on San Juan Island. Groundwater in the area is contaminated with PFAS.

https://apps.ecology.wa.gov/cleanupsearch/site/16911

Cleanup site: Lower Issaquah Valley PFAS cleanup sites

Ecology is working on three PFAS cleanup sites in the Lower Issaquah Valley: Eastside Fire & Rescue and Issaquah Valley Elementary School (EFR HQ IVES), Memorial Field, and Rainier Trail.

https://apps.ecology.wa.gov/cleanupsearch/site/16581

Publication index: Per- and Poly-fluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS)

List of links to documents and posters about PFAS

https://apps.ecology.wa.gov/publications/UIPages/PublicationList.aspx?IndexTypeName=Topic&NameValue=Per-+and+Poly-fluorinated+Alkyl+Substances+(PFAS)&DocumentTypeName=Publication

Publication: Washington State Waste & Toxics Reduction Laws (English)

Quick guide for food service organizations and businesses, covering: expanded polystyrene, single-use serviceware, single-use plastic bags, compostable plastic products, and PFAS in food packaging.

https://apps.ecology.wa.gov/publications/SummaryPages/2404013.html

Publication: Guía rápida sobre las leyes de reducción de residuos y sustancias tóxicas del estado de Washington (Spanish)

Guía rápida para organizaciones y empresas de servicios de alimentos: Prohibición del poliestireno expandido (EPS), ley de artículos de servicio de un solo uso, prohibición de bolsas de plástico de un solo uso, etiquetas de productos de plástico compostable, y PFAS en el envasado de alimentos.

https://apps.ecology.wa.gov/publications/documents/2404013es.pdf

PFAS Sampling in Lake Washington

October 29, 2020 Blog post: Scientists from our Toxic Studies Unit recently completed the first round of sampling as part of a new PFAS study in Lake Washington and its tributaries.

https://ecology.wa.gov/blog/october-2020/pfas-sampling-in-lake-washington

Washington’s roadmap to addressing PFAS

November 4, 2021 Blog post: PFAS have been in the news a lot lately. These harmful chemicals are widely used in commercial and consumer products. Thankfully, Washington now has a roadmap to address the problem.

https://ecology.wa.gov/blog/november-2021/washington-s-roadmap-to-addressing-pfas

Safer Products for Washington, PFAS, and You!

December 12, 2023 Blog post:

The Safer Products for Washington program is designed to reduce human & environmental harm by restricting certain toxic chemicals when safer alternatives are available.

https://ecology.wa.gov/blog/december-2023/safer-products-for-washington-pfas-and-you

PFAS in East Selah drinking water

August 13, 2025 Blog post:

Join Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller for an update and community feedback session about PFAS contamination in East Selah.

https://ecology.wa.gov/blog/august-2025/pfas-in-east-selah-drinking-water

Cleaning up: PFAS contamination in the Lower Issaquah Valley

May 1, 2024 Blog post:

We invite you to comment on legal agreements and associated documents for the Lower Issaquah Valley PFAS cleanup sites.

https://ecology.wa.gov/blog/may-2024/cleaning-up-pfas-in-the-lower-issaquah-valley

Bioretention effectiveness for 6PPD and PFAS

Treatment Effectiveness of Stormwater Facility with HPBSM for Toxic Chemicals

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/reporting-requirements/stormwater-monitoring/stormwater-action-monitoring/sam-effectiveness-studies/bioretention-effectiveness-for-6ppd-and-pfas

Manuals & procedures for accredited labs

Download the procedure manual, and find tips and tools for accredited environmental labs.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/laboratory-accreditation/manual-and-procedures-for-accredited-laboratories

Approved sampling and analysis procedures

Approved laboratory analysis methods for cleaning up contaminated sites.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/contamination-cleanup-tools/sampling-and-analysis-procedures

Improving ditches & maintenance

Stormwater Action Monitoring effectiveness study: roadside ditch performance and maintenance

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/reporting-requirements/stormwater-monitoring/stormwater-action-monitoring/sam-effectiveness-studies/improving-ditches-maintenance

Measuring Street Sweeping 6PPDQ Whole Environment Load Reductions

Potential for street sweeping to reduce the amount of 6PPDQ on the roadway

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/reporting-requirements/stormwater-monitoring/stormwater-action-monitoring/sam-effectiveness-studies/sweeping-6ppd-load

Longevity of biological protection using bioretention

Study about the effectiveness of bioretention soil retaining pollution over time.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/reporting-requirements/stormwater-monitoring/stormwater-action-monitoring/sam-effectiveness-studies/longevity-biological-protection-using-bioretention

Water budgets of individual local trees

This study investigates how much water trees use and may help us mitigate stormwater.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/reporting-requirements/stormwater-monitoring/stormwater-action-monitoring/sam-effectiveness-studies/water-budgets-of-individual-local-trees

Hydrologic performance of bioretention

Study of the oldest bioretention facilities to evaluate infiltration performance.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/reporting-requirements/stormwater-monitoring/stormwater-action-monitoring/sam-effectiveness-studies/bioretention-infiltration

Evaluation of Best Management Practices Maintenance Conditions

Study evaluating the maintenance thresholds for select best management practices for stormwater.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/reporting-requirements/stormwater-monitoring/stormwater-action-monitoring/sam-effectiveness-studies/bmp-maintenance-conditions

Characterization of Stormwater Transport of Contaminants of Emerging Concern

We work with City of Tacoma to look for several contaminants of emerging concern in stormwater.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/reporting-requirements/stormwater-monitoring/stormwater-action-monitoring/sam-effectiveness-studies/stormwater-characterization

Paired watershed retrofit & restoration study

Stormwater Action Monitoring effectiveness study: Paired watershed retrofit and restoration study.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/reporting-requirements/stormwater-monitoring/stormwater-action-monitoring/sam-effectiveness-studies/paired-watershed-retrofit-and-restoration-study

Policies and guidance for site cleanups

Policies and guidance interpret the MTCA cleanup law and help you clean up contaminated sites.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/plans-policies/toxics-cleanup-policies

Laboratory accreditation contacts

Our laboratory accreditation specialists are available to help you and to answer questions.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/laboratory-accreditation/lab-accreditation-contacts

Freshwater fish contaminant monitoring

We analyze freshwater fish for various toxic chemicals.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/monitoring-assessment/toxics-monitoring/freshwater-fish-contaminant-monitoring

CLARC data tables and other technical information

Download CLARC data tables for information that helps site managers determine cleanup levels.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/contamination-cleanup-tools/clarc/data-tables

Stormwater Action Monitoring - Effectiveness studies

Learning what works best to reduce urban runoff volumes and pollution in Western Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/reporting-requirements/stormwater-monitoring/stormwater-action-monitoring/sam-effectiveness-studies

Safer products for businesses

Learn how your business can find and purchase less toxic chemicals and products.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/safer-alternatives/safer-products-for-businesses

Safer chemicals for manufacturers

Learn how to formulate products using safer chemicals and how to design more sustainable products.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/safer-alternatives/safer-chemicals-for-manufacturers

PFAS in wastewater

We are working to better understand and prevent PFAS contamination in wastewater.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-toxic-chemicals/addressing-priority-toxic-chemicals/pfas/wastewater

PFAS “forever chemicals” are regulated under state’s environmental cleanup law

October 21, 2021 Blog post: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, have become a serious public health concern. Ecology now requires contaminated sites be cleaned up under MTCA.

https://ecology.wa.gov/blog/october-2021/pfas-forever-chemicals”-now-regulated-under-state

New study finds widespread PFAS contamination – but also signs of progress

October 25, 2017 Blog post:

Per- and poly- fluorinated alkyl substances (aka PFAS, PFCs, PFOS) are building up in waterways and fish, but phasing them out could decrease chemical exposure.

https://ecology.wa.gov/blog/october-2017/new-study-finds-widespread-pfas-contamination-bu

Comment period extended for new PFAS cleanup guidance

February 6, 2023 Blog post: Comment period new PFAS Cleanup Guidance extended through Fri., March 3. The guidance is intended for people involved in cleaning up contaminated properties.

https://ecology.wa.gov/blog/february-2023/new-pfas-cleanup-guidance-open-for-public-comment

Safer Products for Washington focuses on PFAS for August 10 webinar

July 31, 2023 Blog post:

Our scientists and economists will share background information, research into product categories, and preliminary conclusions in an August 10 webinar.

https://ecology.wa.gov/blog/july-2023/safer-products-for-washington-focuses-on-pfas-for-august-10-webinar

Food packaging laws seek to reduce litter and PFAS contamination

April 8, 2024 Blog post:

Washington has requirements for disposable and single-use food packaging.

https://ecology.wa.gov/blog/april-2024/food-packaging-laws-seek-to-reduce-litter-and-pfas-contamination

Cleaning up: Addressing PFAS contamination at Paine Field Airport

August 11, 2025 Blog post:

We'd like your input on a legal agreement and other documents to clean up PFAS contamination at Paine Field in Everett.

https://ecology.wa.gov/blog/august-2025/cleaning-up-addressing-pfas-contamination-at-paine-field-airport

PFAS en el agua potable de East Selah

August 15, 2025 Blog post:

Asiste a una reunión con la comunidad de East Selah el 25 de agosto para escuchar las últimas novedades y hablar con tomadores de decisiones que pueden ayudar.

https://ecology.wa.gov/blog/august-2025/pfas-en-el-agua-potable-de-east-selah

PFAS at cleanup sites

Ecology requires PFAS contamination be cleaned up.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-toxic-chemicals/addressing-priority-toxic-chemicals/pfas/regulating-pfas-cleanup

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

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

Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF)

AFFF is a type of foam that contains PFAS and is used to fight fires.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-toxic-chemicals/addressing-priority-toxic-chemicals/pfas/afff

Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) collection & disposal program

Learn more about a proposed collection and disposal program for fire departments with AFFF on-site.

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

PFAS in food packaging

Learn about the ban on certain types of food packaging that contain PFAS.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-toxic-chemicals/washingtons-toxics-in-products-laws/pfas-in-food-packaging

West Plains residents to receive no-cost drinking water sampling for PFAS

February 21, 2024 News release: Drinking water testing for PFAS will soon be available to about 300 private and shared wells in the northeast West Plains area at no cost to residents.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/feb-21-west-plains-sampling-for-pfas

Toxics in firefighting law

This law restricts AFFF and PFAS-containing firefighting foam and personal protective equipment in Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-toxic-chemicals/washingtons-toxics-in-products-laws/toxics-in-firefighting