Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

Ecology proposes new updates to help industry transition to clean semi-trucks

May 15, 2025 News release: Ecology proposed regulatory updates plus over $130 million in state funding will get more zero-emission semi-trucks operating in Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/ecology-proposes-new-updates-to-help-industry-transition-to-clean-semi-trucks

Secure Your Load, Save a Life: Washington campaign returns to prevent crashes and protect communities

June 3, 2025 News release: The Secure Your Load for Safer Roads campaign honors individuals whose lives were lost or forever changed by debris falling from vehicles.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/june-4-secure-your-load-save-a-life-washington-campaign-returns-to-prevent-crashes-and-protect-c

Sujete su carga, salve una vida: Vuelve la campaña de Washington para prevenir choques y proteger a las comunidades

June 3, 2025 News release: La campaña Cargas bien sujetadas es en honor a las personas que perdieron la vida o vieron sus vidas transformadas por la caída de escombros de los vehículos.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/june-3-sujete-su-carga-salve-una-vida-vuelve-la-campana-de-washington-para-prevenir-choques-y-pr

Drought expanded to 19 more watersheds

June 5, 2025 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology is expanding the drought emergency declared in April to include areas in the North and Central Cascade Mountains and parts of the Puget Sound area.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/june-5-drought

Preventing litter is “Simple As That,” says new campaign in Washington

September 11, 2022 News release: Washington litter prevention campaign "Simple As That" encourages people to use a litter bag and talk to their family and friends about littering.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/simple-as-that

State of Washington, federal agencies finalize agreement on future of tank waste cleanup at Hanford Site

January 10, 2025 News release: The Tri-Party Agreement Agencies have finalized a landmark agreement that outlines a realistic and achievable course for cleaning up millions of gallons of underground tank waste at the Hanford Site.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/hanford-site-holistic-agreement-finalized

Ecology to fund 101 clean water projects in Washington

July 1, 2025 News release: Ecology is investing $188 million in 101 clean water projects across the state

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/july-1-101-clean-water-projects

Environmental penalties issued for first half of 2023

September 28, 2023 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology issued $562,540 in penalties of $1,000 or more from Jan. 1, 2023 – June 30, 2023.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/sept-28-environmental-penalties-for-first-half-of-2023

Ecology shares plan to clean up Puget Sound nutrient pollution

June 12, 2025 News release: Ecology has drafted the Puget Sound Nutrient Reduction Plan to guide the region as it seeks to address the many human sources of nutrient pollution.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/ecology-shares-plan-to-clean-up-puget-sound-nutrient-pollution

Environmental penalties issued for third quarter of 2024

January 14, 2025 News release: Ecology issued $439,340 in penalties of $1,000 or more from July 1 – Sept. 30, 2024.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/jan-14-environmental-penalties-issued-for-third-quarter-of-2024

Tackling flood and habitat challenges in the Chehalis Basin

April 30, 2025 News release: Join free May 7 public webinar to help shape long-term Chehalis Basin Strategy.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/april-30-tackling-flood-and-habitat-challenges-in-the-chehalis-basin

Ecology proposes permit updates for Puget Sound wastewater treatment plants

June 17, 2025 News release: Ecology is proposing changes to the general permit that regulates nitrogen for 58 wastewater treatment plants discharging into Puget Sound.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/june-18-permit-updates-for-puget-sound-wastewater

Permiso de agua limpia para grandes operaciones ganaderas lagunas de estiércol disponible para revisión

June 21, 2022 News release: El Departamento de Ecología propone actualizaciones al permiso de calidad del agua de la Operación de Alimentación de Animales Confinados (CAFO, por sus siglas en ingles), que es la forma en que la agencia supervisa el manejo del estiércol en ciertas instalaciones.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/june-22-permiso-de-agua-limpia-para-grandes-operac

Summary of environmental penalties issued the first quarter of 2019

June 14, 2019 News release: We issued $210,100 in 17 penalties of $1,000 or more in the first quarter of 2019.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/environmental-penalties-1st-quarter-2019

Ecology awards $63 million to reduce flooding, protect communities and farms, restore habitat

August 31, 2023 News release: Ecology awards $63 million to 12 entities across the state to transform how floodplains in the state's major river basins are managed.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/ecology-awards-63-million-to-reduce-flooding-protect-communities

Nuevo estudio calcula la cantidad de basura que se acumula en las carreteras y áreas públicas de Washington

September 18, 2023 News release: Acabar con la basura en su punto de origen es el objetivo de una nueva campaña estatal

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/sept-18-new-litter-campaign

Una nueva campaña recuerda a los ciudadanos de Washington que es "Así De Simple" evitar tirar basura en las carreteras.

September 12, 2024 News release: La campaña "Así De Simple" se lanza el 13 de septiembre con publicidad en todo el estado y asociaciones con tiendas y grupos comunitarios.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/sept-12-una-nueva-campana-recuerda-a-los-ciudadanos-de-washington-que-es-asi-de-simple

Washington communities to receive $309 million in clean water funding

June 28, 2024 News release: Ecology is awarding $309 million in clean water grants and loans.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/june-28-clean-water-funding

Campaña en Washington recuerda a los conductores que sujetar sus cargas resulta en viajes más seguros para todos

June 3, 2024 News release: Agencias del estado aumenta las patrullas y el alcance en un esfuerzo para reducir la basura y mejorar las medidas de seguridad

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/june-3-campana-en-washington-recuerda-a-los-conductores-que-sujetar-sus-cargas-resulta-en-viajes-m

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

Washington's sustainable business accelerator chooses new projects for support

April 22, 2024 News release: NextCycle Washington, state's sustainable business accelerator, chooses 13 new projects to back.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/april-22-washington-s-sustainable-business-accelerator-chooses-new-projects-for-support

Well Construction Technical Advisory Group

Our regulations are developed and revised by the Well Construction Technical Advisory Group (TAG).

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/accountability-transparency/partnerships-committees/boards-councils/well-construction-technical-advisory-group

Washington Center for Sustainable Food Management

We can help you prevent food from being wasted in the first place.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-recycling-waste/organics-and-food-waste/sustainable-food-center

Report a spill of oil or hazardous materials

Report spills to water immediately at 1-800-258-5990. If you spill, also call 1-800-424-8802.

https://ecology.wa.gov/footer-pages/report-an-environmental-issue/report-a-spill

Report burning and air quality issues

Report smoke, suspicious activity, or air quality violations.

https://ecology.wa.gov/footer-pages/report-an-environmental-issue/report-burning-and-air-quality-issues

WCC member resources

Access forms and resources for WCC AmeriCorps members.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/jobs-at-ecology/washington-conservation-corps/member-resources

Compost procurement ordinances and reporting for local government

Some counties and cities in Washington must adopt a Compost Procurement Ordinance (CPO) and submit an annual report on their compost procurement activities as required by the Organics Management Laws.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-recycling-waste/organics-and-food-waste/2022-organics-management-law/organics-management-for-local-governments/compost-procurement-ordinances

Litter studies

We conduct studies on litter and littering behavior in Washington.

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

Legislative reports for MTCA and Cleanup Settlement accounts

Our legislative reports describe how we're using funds to clean up contaminated sites under MTCA.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/our-programs/toxics-cleanup/tcp-legislative-reports

I want to...

Quickly find topics and information on Ecology's website.

https://ecology.wa.gov/footer-pages/i-want-to

How to report a dam emergency

If you are witnessing a dam failure call 911 and state that this is a dam safety emergency.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/dams/info-for-the-public/report-an-emergency

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

Reporting & notification requirements

Get answers to common questions about reporting requirements of the municipal stormwater permits.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/stormwater-permittee-guidance-resources/municipal-stormwater-permit-guidance/reporting

Information for the public

The Dam Safety Office provides many services from emergency response and planning to inspections.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/dams/info-for-the-public

Report an environmental issue

If you see an oil spill, pollution, or another environmental problem, please report it to us.

https://ecology.wa.gov/footer-pages/report-an-environmental-issue

Antifouling boat paint laws

Learn more about laws related to antifouling boat paints.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-toxic-chemicals/washingtons-toxics-in-products-laws/antifouling-boat-paints

Studies and reports

Scientific studies help us trace sources of pollution to the Lower Duwamish Waterway.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/cleanup-sites/lower-duwamish-waterway/studies-reports

About the dams we regulate

We regulate some but not all dams in Washington state.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/dams/info-for-the-public/dams-we-regulate

Government coordination

We work in coordination with local, state, federal, and tribal governments.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/accountability-transparency/government-coordination

Tacoma Smelter Plume — history & studies

History, studies, and planning information for the Tacoma Smelter Plume area.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/cleanup-sites/tacoma-smelter/history-and-studies

Studying Washington's plastics problem

We're contracting a study to assess the size of the plastics problem.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-recycling-waste/plastics/plastics-study

Use Food Well Washington Plan

The Use Food Well Washington Plan is Washington's roadmap to reduce food waste by 50% by 2030.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-recycling-waste/organics-and-food-waste/sustainable-food-center/use-food-well-washington-plan

Clean Fuel Standard data & reports

Reports and data from the Clean Fuel Standard

https://ecology.wa.gov/air-climate/reducing-greenhouse-gas-emissions/clean-fuel-standard/data-reports

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

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

Requirements for metering water use

Certain water users are required to meter and report their water use.

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

No discharge zone resources & studies

We conducted a series of studies to designate Puget Sound as a no discharge zone.

https://ecology.wa.gov/ecologys-work-near-you/river-basins-groundwater/puget-sound/no-discharge-zone/resources-studies

Legislative work

2018 and 2019 legislative work on spill preparedness, oil handling, and Puget Sound vessel traffic.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/our-programs/spills-prevention-preparedness-response/legislative-work

State guidance for commercial marine net pen aquaculture

Legislature directs agencies to finish science-based guidance for commercial, marine fish farms.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/shoreline-coastal-management/aquaculture/state-guidance-for-net-pens

2023 session legislation

The 2023 session passed bills on compostable product usage, plastic pollution, product stewardship for batteries, and more.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-recycling-waste/strategic-policy-and-planning/enacting-legislation/2023-legislation