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.
- Research on biosolids
- How wastewater treatment plants make biosolids
- Pollutants and pathogens in biosolids
- Biosolids use in Washington
- Basics of the biosolids permit system
- Biosolids general permit
- Step by step permitting process
- Common forms:
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
Kelsey Dunne
Regional Biosolids Program Coordinator
Biosolids and septage permits and related issues in the Southwest Region
kelsey.dunne@ecy.wa.gov
360-407-6055
Meeta Pannu
Regional Biosolids Program Coordinator
Biosolids and septage permits and related issues in the Southwest Region
meeta.pannu@ecy.wa.gov
360-407-6393