Nonpoint pollution

Assessment of state waters

We use the Water Quality Assessment, which gathers data, to identify waterbodies that need our help. We place waterbodies in categories that describe the health of the water and status of any needed cleanup. For waterbodies that need cleanup, we write a cleanup plan and then work with partners to implement solutions on the ground to reduce pollution.

View the most current assessment results on our online search tool or our map-based Water Quality Atlas.

Watershed evaluations 

Nonpoint field staff conduct watershed evaluations to identify pollution sources and guide our work to implement solutions on the ground to protect clean water. Contact your local nonpoint staff to learn more about work happening in your region.

Public environmental concerns

Another way we find pollution is when people report an environmental issue or concern through our form on our Environmental Tracking System (ERTS). This is an important tool to help our staff direct efforts on the ground to address pollution issues.

These reports can be anonymous so if you see something, please say something. The sooner we know of an issue, the sooner we can work to fix it!

After we identify a site, nonpoint staff follow up with landowners to offer technical and financial assistance. Although there are general best practices, the technical assistance we offer is specific to each unique situation. Ecology and our partners have funding programs that can help landowners pay for the necessary improvements, including building fences to keep livestock out of streams, planting trees along streams, and even buying new, low-impact farm equipment.

Our goal is to get solutions on the ground that work for both the landowner and the environment. Connect with your local nonpoint staff to find out what financial assistance opportunities may be available to you.

In most cases, offering assistance leads to the necessary changes to prevent nonpoint pollution. However, enforcement action may be required. We strive to work collaboratively with landowners, providing financial and technical assistance to find solutions that work for their unique needs while preventing pollution. 

When these offers go without response or fixes are not implemented at the site, we use a progressive enforcement escalation process. Following initial technical assistance letters, our next step is generally a warning letter. If there are no response or fixes then, it is followed by formal enforcement such as an administrative order or penalty.

Throughout these these enforcement steps, we continue to strive to work collaboratively with landowners to implement solutions that both prevent pollution and are responsive to each site's unique needs.

Protecting and improving water quality requires all of us to do our part. Small every day actions add up and help ensure clean and cool water for all of Washington:

• Pick up your pet’s waste and throw it in the trash.
• Reduce the use of chemicals in your yard.
• Wash your car on lawn/gravel or take it to a car wash.

Learn more ways you can protect water from residential pollution.

There are many locally-led water cleanup programs throughout the state, including:  

• Pollution Identification and Correction (PIC) programs, led by local agencies and Tribes to identify and address bacteria and nutrient pollution from a variety of nonpoint sources.

• Shellfish Protection Districts, areas established by counties where nonpoint pollution threatens shellfish farming or harvesting.

• Local organizations, such as South Sound-centered Stream Team, provide environmental education programs, cleanup projects, and volunteer opportunities.

The way you manage your land can have big impacts on water quality. If you have a stream on your property, one of the most important things you can do is plant and maintain streamside trees that support water quality by keeping water temperature cool, filtering out pollutants, and stabilizing streambanks. 

We are developing our Clean Water Guidance to provide agricultural landowners and producers with management recommendations that support meeting water quality standards. We also have funding resources to help keep Washington’s waters healthy - get in touch to learn about funding opportunities that may be available to you!