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Waste & Toxics > Reducing & recycling waste > Organic materials > Biosolids

Biosolids

We regulate the wastewater treatment plants that produce biosolids and the businesses that apply biosolids for farmers, including how this material is treated, tested, and used.

Biosolids are a product of wastewater treatment systems. Rich in organic material and nutrients, biosolids are used by farmers across Washington to grow a variety of crops like wheat, corn, grass hay, and hops. Proper oversight, testing, and application ensures biosolids benefit farmers and soil without leaching nutrients into surface or groundwater.

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Comment on our plans for biosolids permitting

We are planning changes to our statewide biosolids permit to streamline permitting for facilities with straightforward permits, allowing us to focus on facilities with more complex needs.

See our notice about the planned changes.

Submit your comments by Jan. 24, 2020.

  • Email emily.kijowski@ecy.wa.gov.
  • Mail:
    • Emily Kijowski
      Department of Ecology, Solid Waste Management
      P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600

Learn about biosolids

  • Research on biosolids
  • How wastewater treatment plants make biosolids
  • Pollutants and pathogens in biosolids
  • Biosolids use in Washington

Permitting and forms

Biosolids laws and rules

Related links

Contact information

For statewide policy and technical issues, and out-of-state, federal and other agency inquiries:

Kyle Dorsey
State Biosolids Program Coordinator​
kyle.dorsey@ecy.wa.gov
360-407-6559

Ecology regional biosolids staff: 

Betty Ann Bickner
Regional Biosolids Program Coordinator
Biosolids and septage permits and related issues for these Eastern Region counties: Grant, Ferry, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens
bettyann.bickner@ecy.wa.gov
509-329-3505
  
Terri Costello
Regional Biosolids Program Coordinator
Biosolids and septage permits and related issues for these Eastern Region counties: Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Garfield, Franklin, Walla Walla, and Whitman
Septage permits and related issues for these Central Region counties: Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan
terri.costello@ecy.wa.gov
509-329-3579
 
Canming Xiao
Regional Biosolids Program Coordinator
Septage permits and related issues for these Central Region counties: Benton, Kittitas, Klickitat, Yakima
canming.xiao@ecy.wa.gov
509-575-2842
 
Peter Severtson
Regional Biosolids Program Coordinator
Biosolids (non-septage) permits and related issues in the Central Region
peter.severtson@ecy.wa.gov
509-379-4737

Amber Corfman
Regional Biosolids Program Coordinator
Biosolids and septage permits and related issues in the Northwest Region
amber.corfman@ecy.wa.gov
360-255-4406
 
Shawnté Greenway 
Regional Biosolids Program Coordinator
Biosolids and septage permits and related issues in the Southwest Region
shawnte.greenway@ecy.wa.gov
360-407-6055