Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

Public input sought on environmental reviews for two new watershed plans in Pierce and King counties

April 29, 2021 News release: Ecology completed its environmental review of new watershed plans for the Puyallup-White and Chambers-Clover river drainage basins, and is seeking public comments through May 23.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/seeking-comment-on-environmental-reviews-for-water

Decades-long water dispute settled on Chamokane Creek

May 14, 2019 News release: Ecology, Spokane Tribe & federal government settlement on Chamokane Creek water mitigation

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/may-9-chamokane-creek-settlement

Ecology begins planning for future water use in Nooksack watershed

February 5, 2019 News release: Ecology begins rulemaking process for future water use in Nooksack watershed

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/planning-future-nooksack-water-use

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

State adopts updated Colville River watershed plan

June 30, 2020 News release: A locally-developed watershed plan will protect rivers and streams in the Colville River watershed while securing water for future rural growth.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/june-30-wria-59-colville-streamflow-plan

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

Funding now available to public agencies for drought relief

June 4, 2019 News release: Public agencies experiencing hardships related to drought conditions may now be eligible for funds to ease drought-related effects.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/june-4-funding-for-drought-relief

First comment period opens on future water use in Nooksack watershed

April 8, 2019 News release: First comment period opens on future water use in WRIA 1 Nooksack watershed

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/first-comment-period-opens-on-future-water-use-in

Illegal draining of wetlands on Whidbey Island leads to $120,000 penalty

September 12, 2024 News release: We have issued a $120,000 penalty to Island County landowners for illegally draining wetland on Whidbey Island.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/sept-12-whiteman-coury-penalty

Ecology completes environmental review for proposed Kalama methanol facility

December 21, 2020 News release: Ecology releases the final Second Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Kalama methanol facility

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/dec-21-kalama-sseis

New analysis offers clearer picture of greenhouse gas emissions from Kalama methanol facility

September 2, 2020 News release: Ecology is releasing a second Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement on the proposed Kalama methanol facility.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/sept-2-new-analysis-offers-clearer-picture-of-gree

Ecology declares drought emergency in 12 counties

July 24, 2023 News release: An emergency drought declaration has been issued for watersheds in Benton, Clallam, Columbia, Jefferson, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan, Skagit, Snohomish, Walla Walla, Whatcom, and Yakima counties.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/july-24-ecology-declares-drought-emergency-in-12-counties

Ecology files water rights adjudication in Whatcom County Superior Court

May 2, 2024 News release: Today Ecology filed a water rights adjudication in Whatcom County Superior Court. This legal process will review and prioritize all water use in the Nooksack basin and nearby areas.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/may-2-nooksack-adjudication-filing

Instream flow rule amendment adopted for Nooksack watershed

May 28, 2020 News release: Ecology has amended the instream flow rule that affects parts of Whatcom County and small areas in Skagit County. The amendment provides water for new rural homeowners and benefits streamflows in the Nooksack River watershed.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/may-28-nooksack-instream-flow-rule-amendment

Local groundwater information

Find local sources of information for groundwater resource-management efforts.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/groundwater/groundwater-resources/groundwater-information

PFAS in West Plains private wells

We are working with local, state, and federal agencies and the community to understand and address groundwater contamination in the West Plains.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/cleanup-sites/sites-with-pfas-in-drinking-water/west-plains-pfas

Lower Yakima Valley Groundwater Management Area

We're partnering in a local effort to reduce nitrate concentrations in Lower Yakima Valley wells.

https://ecology.wa.gov/ecologys-work-near-you/river-basins-groundwater/lower-yakima-valley-groundwater-management-area

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

FAQs and responses about the WRIA 1 (Nooksack) adjudication.

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

Adjudication information for farmers

This site will serve as an information hub for WRIA 1 farmers throughout the adjudication process. Stay tuned - information will be posted here as updates become available.

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

for Commercial, industrial, and cities

This site will serve as an information hub for WRIA 1 commercial uses throughout the adjudication process. Stay tuned - information will be posted here as updates become available.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/water-rights/adjudications/nooksack/commercial-industrial-and-cities

Testing drinking water

Concerned about the water in your well? Find an accredited lab to test your drinking water.

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

Protecting the air and water at Hanford

We monitor cleanup efforts at Hanford to ensure clean air and water.

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

Improving streamflows

We help protect rivers and streams while providing water for rural areas.

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

Seawater intrusion

Some coastal water wells in Washington are now unusable because of seawater intrusion. Read more about this.

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

Chamokane Creek settlement agreement - Frequently asked questions

FAQs about the settlement agreement on impacts of permit-exempt wells on flows in Chamokane Creek.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/water-availability/chamokane-creek/frequently-asked-questions

Groundwater permit exemption

The groundwater permit exemption allows four small uses of groundwater without a water right permit.

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

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

Continuing education for well drillers

Continuing education is required for a Washington state well operator's license.

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

Latest videos, resources & tools - Nooksack adjudication

We are preparing to file a general stream adjudication in WRIA 1.

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

Eastern Washington water projects

Our water supply and enhancement projects are providing water security in Eastern Washington.

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

Groundwater resources

We provide links and resources to learn more about groundwater.

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

Nitrate in groundwater data & assessment

Nitrogen contamination of groundwater is a problem in several areas. See where and why.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/groundwater/nitrate-data-assessment

Hirst decision

A state Supreme Court decision changed how counties issue building permits that use exempt wells.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/water-rights/case-law/hirst-decision

Lake Roosevelt water rights

Our Lake Roosevelt program makes new water rights available for Columbia River cities and industry.

https://ecology.wa.gov/ecologys-work-near-you/river-basins-groundwater/columbia-river-basin-projects/lake-roosevelt-water-rights

Groundwater

We work to protect groundwater from pollution so that it's drinkable and meets state standards.

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

Water recovery solutions

As water for new uses becomes harder to find, we look for innovative solutions to meet future needs.

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

Dams

The Dam Safety Office (DSO) regulates nearly 1,100 dams in Washington.

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

Boeing Auburn Cleanup Site

Information on the contamination cleanup at the Boeing Auburn site.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/cleanup-sites/boeing-auburn-fabrication-site

Nooksack River basin rule amendment

In 2020 we amended the existing instream flow rule for the Nooksack basin.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/protecting-stream-flows/instream-flow-implementation/nooksack-basin-rule

Chamokane Creek

The tri-party agreement addresses impacts of permit-exempt wells on flows in Chamokane Creek.

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

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

Got your court claim form? Here's what to do next

Guidance for what to do next when you receive your court claim form for the Nooksack water rights adjudication.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/water-rights/adjudications/nooksack/court-claim-form-next-steps

Protecting stream flows

An instream flow is a water right for the stream and the resources that depend on it.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/protecting-stream-flows

Protecting aquifers

We work to protect underground water aquifers from contamination and protect drinking water.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/groundwater/protecting-aquifers

Dungeness water management

The Dungeness water management rule protects rivers and streams and manages new groundwater uses.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/protecting-stream-flows/instream-flow-implementation/dungeness-water-management

Spokane River – Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer rule

This rule impacts the Spokane River and Spokane Valley Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/protecting-stream-flows/instream-flow-implementation/spokane-river-basin-rule

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

Frequently asked questions

Do you have questions about cleanup at the UW Tacoma site? We have answers.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/cleanup-sites/uw-tacoma/common-questions

Contaminated sites with PFAS in drinking water

Some sites on our Contaminated Sites List have groundwater contaminated with PFAS. See these cleanup sites, check your water, and find health resources.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/cleanup-sites/sites-with-pfas-in-drinking-water

King County Shoreline Master Program: locally initiated amendment

We are seeking public comment on King County's proposed update to its shoreline master program.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/shoreline-coastal-management/shoreline-coastal-planning/state-approved-shoreline-master-programs/king-county