Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

Waste tires

Cleaning up illegal tire dumps and guidance for businesses that transport and store tires.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/solid-waste-litter/waste-tires

Moderate risk waste

Regulatory guidance and data on household hazardous waste and moderate-risk waste collection.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/community-waste-toxics/household-hazardous-waste-mrw

Manage dangerous waste for businesses

Guidance on complying with Washington's dangerous waste regulations.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/business-waste/manage-your-waste

Solid waste

Information on solid waste waste facilities, management, and permitting.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/solid-waste-litter/solid-waste

Columbia River Policy Advisory Group

The Columbia River Policy Advisory Group advises the Office of Columbia River on policy issues.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/accountability-transparency/partnerships-committees/columbia-river-policy-advisory-group

Water banks

Water banks facilitate the voluntary exchange of water rights.

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

Trust Water Rights Program

Water rights placed into trust are protected from relinquishment and maintain their priority date.

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

Freshwater

We work to restore and protect rivers and lakes from pollution.

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

118 wastewater treatment plants across Washington receive Ecology award

August 1, 2024 News release: Wastewater Treatment Plant Awards 2023

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/aug1-awards-for-wastewater-treatment-plants

Other facilities we oversee

We oversee other sites in Washington with mixed waste that aren't part of the Hanford cleanup.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/nuclear-waste/radioactive-waste-disposal

Water availability

We study and regulate water resources by watershed. Find yours and see water availability.

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

Water quality permits

Permits protect water quality/public health & regulate treatment/discharge of wastewater/stormwater.

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

Email notification lists

Sign up for email updates about environmental issues and activities affecting Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/email-lists

Strategic policy & planning

Solid waste and recycling policies and plans for businesses and agencies.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-recycling-waste/strategic-policy-and-planning

Wastewater treatment plants awarded for top performance

August 20, 2025 News release: Ecology is recognizing 121 wastewater facilities and their operators with the agency’s annual Outstanding Performance Awards.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/aug-20-wastewater-treatment-plants-awarded-for-top-performance

Waste disposal company penalized $25,000 for improperly managing dangerous waste

January 9, 2024 News release: Ecology issued a $25,000 penalty to Burlington Environmental-Washougal for failure to comply with Washington's dangerous waste regulations.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/jan-9-clark-county-dangerous-waste-penalty

Nuclear Waste Program

Hanford made plutonium for the nuclear arsenal. Now we regulate cleanup of the radioactive waste.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/our-programs/nuclear-waste

Water quality standards

We restore and protect rivers, lakes, groundwater, and marine waters using water quality standards.

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

Mukilteo company fined $70,500 for water quality violations

May 20, 2021 News release: We have fined Mukilteo aircraft parts maker Advanced Aero System $70,500 failing to ensure its industrial wastewater discharges met state pollution limits.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/may-20-advanced-aero-systems

Clean Water Guidance Advisory Group

We're working with an advisory group to develop clean water guidance for agriculture.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/accountability-transparency/partnerships-committees/voluntary-clean-water-guidance-for-agriculture-adv

Skagit landowners have new mitigation option for water

March 31, 2021 News release: Qualifying Skagit River Basin landowners can now apply for water access for new domestic water uses.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/skagit-water-option

Office of Columbia River

Our office oversees a program pursuing balanced water solutions across the Columbia River Basin.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/our-programs/office-of-columbia-river

125 wastewater treatment plants earn outstanding performance honors

August 25, 2020 News release: 125 wastewater treatment plants earn outstanding performance awards for 2019.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/125-wastewater-treatment-plants-awards

Monitoring Hanford's groundwater and protecting the Columbia River

We oversee cleanup of Hanford's underground water to protect residents and the environment.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/nuclear-waste/hanford-cleanup/protecting-air-water/groundwater-monitoring

Partnerships and committees

Governmental and regional agencies join forces, providing ideas and oversight to many programs.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/accountability-transparency/partnerships-committees

No food in landfills is goal of Food Waste Prevention Week, April 10-16

April 10, 2023 News release: It’s Food Waste Prevention Week 2023! Preventing food waste increases food security, improves agricultural productivity and efficiency, promotes resource conservation, and reduces harmful greenhouse gases.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/april-10

Information for water conservancy board members

We provide training, operations, and process information for water conservancy board members.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/accountability-transparency/partnerships-committees/water-conservancy-boards

State issues million-dollar penalties to two refineries for dangerous waste violations

August 5, 2025 News release: We issued million-dollar penalties for dangerous waste violations at two Anacortes refineries, Tesoro and HF Sinclair.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/aug-5-state-issues-million-dollar-penalties-to-two-refineries-for-dangerous-waste-violations

Water rights

A water right is the legal authorization to use a quantity of water for beneficial uses.

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

State penalizes Lakehaven Water and Sewer District $85,200 for polluting Cold Creek

October 3, 2023 News release: We’ve penalized the Lakehaven Water and Sewer District $85,200 and issued an administrative order related to 2022 discharges of incompletely treated wastewater.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/oct-3-lakehaven-water-sewer-district-penalty

Hanford cleanup

Our Nuclear Waste Program oversees mixed dangerous and radioactive waste cleanup at Hanford.

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

Ecology encourages Washingtonians to ‘Use Food Well’ this holiday season

November 18, 2024 News release: The Use Food Well campaign focuses on preventing food waste through simple steps like smart shopping, meal planning, and proper food storage.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/use-food-well-this-holiday-season

Celebrating your local outstanding wastewater treatment plant

June 29, 2022 News release: Ecology is honoring wastewater treatment plant operators by recognizing 124 facilities with an Outstanding Performance Award.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/june-30-wastewater-treatment-plant-awards

Ecology to improve hazardous waste planning fee rule

September 15, 2022 News release: Washington state’s Department of Ecology wants to make its hazardous waste planning fee more equitable by clarifying how it will be calculated.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/sept-15-ecology-to-improve-hazardous-waste-plannin

Industrial painting company fined $49,000 for hazardous waste violations at Kelso, Longview facilities

August 21, 2024 News release: Industrial painting company fined $49,000 for hazardous waste violations at Kelso, Longview facilities

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/aug-21-steel-painter-penalty

PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center penalized $21,000 for dangerous waste violations

October 31, 2023 News release: Ecology is penalizing PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center $21,000 for repeated violations of the state’s dangerous waste laws.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/oct-31-peacehealth-st-joseph-dangerous-waste-penalty

Protecting streamflows and fish in the Walla Walla River and Mill Creek

August 9, 2024 News release: Learn more about how we're protecting streamflows and fish in the Walla Walla River and Mill Creek.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/aug-9-walla-walla-streamflows

Awarding $312 million to communities for clean water projects

July 1, 2021 News release: Ecology is awarding $312 million in grants and loans for 108 high-priority clean water projects.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/july-1-awarding-312-million-to-communities-for-cl

Puyallup construction material company fined for waste violations

July 13, 2023 News release: Carlisle Construction Materials was fined $40,000 by Ecology for failing to properly designate its hazardous waste for several years

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/july-13-ccm-penalty

Skagit, Snohomish landowners now have legal water source

March 19, 2020 News release: As part of the Washington Department of Ecology’s commitment to find water solutions for Skagit Basin landowners, water is now available for some landowners in Skagit and Snohomish counties affected by a 2013 state Supreme Court ruling.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/mar-19-skagit-snohomish-landowners-have-legal-wat

Tank waste monitoring and closure

We oversee the safe management, retrieval and closure of the waste in Hanford's underground tanks.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/nuclear-waste/hanford-cleanup/tank-waste-management/tank-monitoring-closure

109 wastewater treatment plants across Washington awarded for top performance

May 17, 2023 News release: 2023 winners of the outstanding wastewater treatment plant awards

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/may-17-outstanding-wastewater-treatment-plant-awar

Water Supply Availability Committee

The Water Supply Availability Committee evaluates statewide water supply conditions.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/accountability-transparency/partnerships-committees/water-supply-availability-committee

New agreement provides water for Skagit well owners

May 14, 2019 News release: We've reached an agreement with Seattle City Light to provide water to more than 400 homes in Skagit and Snohomish counties.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/may-15-new-agreement-provides-water-for-skagit-wel

Historic achievement: Governor Ferguson, Ecology celebrate nuclear waste officially being turned into glass at Hanford Site

October 15, 2025 News release: The Hanford Site's Low-Activity Waste Facility is now operational and treating radioactive and hazardous waste for safe, permanent disposal for the first time in history.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/hanford-site-waste-vitrification-begins

Cosmopolis mill fined $18,000 for water quality violations

June 14, 2022 News release: Water quality violations at the Cosmo Specialty Fibers mill in Cosmopolis led to an $18,000 penalty from the Ecology.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/june-14-cosmo-specialty-fiber-penalty

The history of water law

Since 1917, Washington state water laws have played an important role in managing water resources.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/our-programs/water-resources/learn-the-history-of-water-law

126 wastewater treatment plants recognized for their performance in 2020

August 4, 2021 News release: 126 wastewater treatment plants achieve outstanding performance in 2020

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/aug-4-2021-wttp-awards

Ecology sees increase in illegal dumping amid COVID-19

April 27, 2020 News release: Ecology sees increase in illegal dumping amid COVID-19

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/ecology-sees-increase-in-illegal-dumping-amid-covi

Dwindling water supplies force new restrictions in Yakima Basin beginning Oct. 6

October 1, 2025 News release: In the Yakima Basin, a third consecutive year of drought has caused historically low reservoir storage and streamflows. Ecology is issuing an unprecedented halt to surface water use beginning Oct. 6.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/oct-1-dwindling-water-supplies-force-new-restrictions-in-yakima-basin-beginning-oct-6