Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

Ecology near you

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

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

WRIA 1 (Nooksack) Adjudication

WRIA 1 Adjudication Documents

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/water-rights/adjudications/nooksack

Water & Shorelines

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines

Hanford overview

A story map of Hanford's history.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/nuclear-waste/hanford-cleanup/hanford-overview

Well report (log) viewer

Search for wells and view availabile well reports (logs).

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/well-report-gateway

Water Quality

See if water near you are healthy. Learn about cleanups, wastewater, runoff, and how Puget Sound is changing.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality

Water supply

We manage the state's water supply to meet the needs of people, farms, and fish.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply

Water and Resource Protection Wells license study Guide for Written Exam

This is the full license, written exam study package for Water and Resource Protection Wells

https://appswr.ecology.wa.gov/docs/WaterRights/wrwebpdf/SPFL.pdf

Online tool: Underground Injection Control

Look up wells by registration, site or by well name.

https://apps.ecology.wa.gov/uicsearch/

Online tool: Well Construction and Licensing System

Search Ecology well records including: Notice of Intent to Construct or Decommission a well and state licensed well operators and drilling companies.

https://appswr.ecology.wa.gov/wellconstruction/Wells/PublicPages/WellConstructionAndLicensingHome.aspx

Underground Injection Control (UIC) program: Chapter 173-218 WAC

We regulate discharge of injection well fluids to protect against groundwater contamination.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/underground-injection-control-program

Underground injection control well registration requirements & information

Get Underground Injection Control (UIC) well registration requirements and information.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/underground-injection-control-program/uic-registration-requirements-information

Heat pump & air conditioning return flow UIC wells

Groundwater circulated through a heat pump/air conditioning (HAC) system has to meet requirements.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/underground-injection-control-program/heat-pump-air-conditioning-return-flow-wells

Online UIC injection well registration

We provide online access to register new and existing underground injection control (UIC) wells.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/underground-injection-control-program/register-uic-wells-online

Well construction reporting & well report gateway

Resource protection well reports can be submitted online.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/reporting-requirements/well-construction-reporting

Well construction notice of intent

Before you drill a well, you must submit a notice of intent to us 72 hours before drilling starts.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/reporting-requirements/well-construction-notice-of-intent

SEPA checklist guidance, Section B: Groundwater

Guidance to complete Groundwater section for Part B of SEPA environmental checklist.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/sepa/environmental-review/sepa-guidance/sepa-checklist-guidance/sepa-checklist-section-b-environmental-elements/environmental-elements-3-water/environmental-elements-groundwater

Agrium Kennewick Fertilizer Operations

We regulate water and hazardous waste for Agrium Kennewick Fertilizer Operations facilities.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/industrial-facilities-permits/agrium-kennewick-fertilizer-operations

Active groundwater studies

We conduct groundwater studies for long- and short-term projects. Learn about our active studies.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/monitoring-assessment/groundwater-quality-assessment/active-studies-index

Plaza Cleaners groundwater monitoring

We monitor groundwater for volatile organic compounds at the Plaza Cleaners Lakewood site.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/monitoring-assessment/groundwater-quality-assessment/active-studies-index/lakewood-cleaners

Black Lake Grocery groundwater monitoring

We monitor groundwater for petroleum hydrocarbons at the Black Lake Grocery site.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/monitoring-assessment/groundwater-quality-assessment/active-studies-index/black-lake-grocery

Shelton Laundry groundwater monitoring

We measure volatile organic compounds from monitoring wells at the Shelton Laundry site.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/monitoring-assessment/groundwater-quality-assessment/active-studies-index/shelton-laundry

Sumas-Blaine surficial aquifer long-term ambient groundwater monitoring

We sample 25 wells in the Sumas-Blaine aquifer annually for nitrate, chloride, and bromide.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/monitoring-assessment/groundwater-quality-assessment/active-studies-index/sumas-blaine

Aladdin Plating

We monitor groundwater for legacy plating chemicals at the former Aladdin Plating Co. site in Tacoma.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/monitoring-assessment/groundwater-quality-assessment/active-studies-index/aladdin-plating

GIS Applications

Find a list of GIS applications at Ecology.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/data-resources/geographic-information-systems-gis/applications

Changes to existing water rights

If you want to change to an existing water right, we recommend a pre-application consultation.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/water-right-permits/changes-to-existing-water-rights

401 Water Quality Certifications for hydropower licenses

We work with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) licensing process for hydropower dams.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/401-water-quality-certification/certifications-for-hydropower-licenses

Groundwater quality assessment

Our hydrogeologists monitor and assess groundwater quality and quantity in Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/monitoring-assessment/groundwater-quality-assessment

Contained-in policy for contaminated soil and groundwater

Learn how to reduce cleanup costs by requesting approval under our contained-in policy.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/contained-in-determinations

SEPA checklist guidance, Section B: Water

Guidance to complete Water section for Part B of SEPA environmental checklist.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/sepa/environmental-review/sepa-guidance/sepa-checklist-guidance/sepa-checklist-section-b-environmental-elements/environmental-elements-3-water

Acronyms & glossary for the Toxics Cleanup Program

We have a list of acronyms and terms commonly used in contaminated site cleanup work.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/toxic-cleanup-acronyms

Antifreeze

Learn how your business can manage antifreeze and recycle spent antifreeze.

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

Rulemaking at Ecology

Find out about our rulemaking activities.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/laws-rules-rulemaking/rulemaking

Abandoned wells

Landowners are required to work with licensed drillers to properly decommission abandoned wells.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/wells/information-for-drillers/abandoned-wells

Watershed planning

We support watershed planning to improve streamflows under the Streamflow Restoration Act.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/improving-streamflows/watershed-planning

Homes with permit-exempt wells

Information for homeowners about the Nooksack adjudication.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/water-rights/adjudications/nooksack/homeowners

Lummi Peninsula groundwater settlement agreement

A settlement agreement regarding groundwater in the Lummi Peninsula is in effect.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/water-rights/case-law/lummi-settlement

RSS feeds for well notice of intent

Subscribe to a well-drilling notice of intent (NOI) RSS feed.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/wells/information-for-drillers/rss-feeds-for-well-notice-of-intent

Information for well drillers

We regulate and license well operators in Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/wells/information-for-drillers

Well construction & licensing

We provide well information and regulatory guidance for property owners and well drillers.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/wells

Group systems and shared wells

Small district water systems, such as cities, special purpose districts and private systems, need to participate in the adjudication by filing court claims.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/water-rights/adjudications/nooksack/group-systems-and-shared-wells

Groundwater study begins in Walla Walla Basin

March 26, 2021 News release: Well owners needed to participate in groundwater study in the Walla Walla basin

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/mar-26-walla-walla-groundwater-study

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

Comments sought on a program to reduce nitrate levels in Lower Yakima Valley wells

February 25, 2019 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology is opening a comment period, and jointly hosting a public hearing with Yakima County, on a proposed program to address nitrates in drinking water in the Lower Yakima Valley.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/lower-yakima-valley-groundwater-management-area

Delegation reports & contacts

Some county health agencies are authorized to inspect well construction and decommissioning work.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/wells/information-for-drillers/delegation-reports-contacts

Public input sought on environmental review for new Duwamish–Green river watershed plan

March 8, 2021 News release: A new plan for the Duwamish-Green watershed lays out priorities to protect fish habitat and ensuring sufficient water for rural residents. We're seeking public comments through April 8.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/mar-8-duwamish-green-watershed-sepa-comment-period

Real estate transactions information

Adjudication information for realtors in WRIA 1/Nooksack basin.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/water-rights/adjudications/nooksack/realtors

State adopts new watershed plans for Puyallup River and Chambers-Clover basin

June 17, 2021 News release: New plans for the Puyallup-White and Chambers-Clover watersheds lay out priorities to protect fish habitat, while also ensuring sufficient water for rural residents.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/june-17-puyallup-chambers-clover

Washington state issues enforcement order against US Army over Yakima Training Center contamination

February 1, 2023 News release: With contamination threatening drinking water near the training center, Ecology's order requires the Army to address the environmental threat in line with state and federal standards.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/yakima-training-center-enforcement-order