Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

Nonpoint pollution

We identify and reduce sources of polluted runoff as part of our Clean Water Act responsibilities.

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

Learn procedures for taking saltwater bacteria samples for the BEACH Program.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/saltwater/beach-program/for-beach-samplers

Deschutes River, Percival Creek, & Budd Inlet tributaries

We are working with partners to restore water quality in tributaries to the Deschutes River.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/water-improvement/total-maximum-daily-load-process/directory-of-improvement-projects/deschutes-river-and-tributaries

Enacting waste and recycling legislation

Solid Waste Management is working to establish plans and programs created by the state legislature.

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

Organic and food waste

We work to use organic materials to improve soil, produce energy, and reduce waste.

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

Organics management for local governments

Cities and counties in Washington may need to ensure organics materials management services are available to residential and non-residential customers.

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

Lake Chelan Reserve

The Lake Chelan Reserve has water for existing and future non-project uses.

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

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

Ordinary high water mark

The ordinary high water mark is a biological vegetation mark used in shoreline planning.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/shoreline-coastal-management/shoreline-coastal-planning/shoreline-management-act-sma/shoreline-management-act-jurisdiction/ordinary-high-water-mark

Walla Walla Water 2050 water management plan

Walla Walla Water 2050 is renewing efforts to improve water supplies in the Walla Walla River Basin.

https://ecology.wa.gov/ecologys-work-near-you/river-basins-groundwater/walla-walla-2050

Improving streamflows

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

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

Central Region

https://ecology.wa.gov/ecologys-work-near-you/regional-work/central-region

Orders, penalties, and settlements

Ecology may issue an order or penalty, or enter into a settlement for the Hanford site cleanup.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/nuclear-waste/hanford-cleanup/hanford-cleanup-process/settlements-and-orders

What you can do to manage animal waste

Prevent animal manure from harming rivers, lakes, and marine shellfish beds.

https://ecology.wa.gov/ecologys-work-near-you/earth-day/washington-waters-ours-to-protect-16d2378f76d0cd1251378b5dfa15b3be/manage-animal-manure

Palouse River

We are working with many partners to improve water quality in the Palouse River.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/water-improvement/total-maximum-daily-load-process/directory-of-improvement-projects/palouse

Partnering with the Environmental Protection Agency

Our work with EPA is focused on clean air and water, and managing hazardous waste.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/accountability-transparency/government-coordination/partnering-with-the-epa

Lake Chelan coordinated cost reimbursement program

We partnered with Chelan County to initiate a Lake Chelan Coordinated Cost Reimbursement Program.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/water-rights/cost-reimbursement/lake-chelan-ccr

Nonpoint funding requirements

Resources for Water Quality Program-funded projects that address nonpoint sources of water pollution

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/water-quality-grants-and-loans/nonpoint-funding-requirements

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

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

PFAS contamination at Joint Base Lewis McChord and surrounding communities

Ecology monitors multiple cleanup sites at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. This page focuses on PFAS contamination in the groundwater.

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

Statewide conditions

We work with agencies and organizations to closely monitor Washington’s water supply.

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

Eastern Region

https://ecology.wa.gov/ecologys-work-near-you/regional-work/eastern-region

Freshwater studies

Our scientists study freshwater environments, producing data and reports.

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

Find your watershed (WRIA)

Use an address to find a watershed's water resources inventory area description.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/water-availability/in-your-watershed/watershed-look-up

Public involvement

We provide information and supporting documents for public comment periods about cleanup at Hanford.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/nuclear-waste/public-involvement

Foster decision

This court decision reaffirms that instream flows adopted in rule must be protected from impairment.

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

Whatcom Creek bacteria TMDL

We are working in Whatcom Creek to improve water quality for people and aquatic life.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/water-improvement/total-maximum-daily-load-process/directory-of-improvement-projects/whatcom-creek

Padilla Bay tributaries bacteria TMDL

We are working in Padilla Bay to improve water quality for people and aquatic life.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/water-improvement/total-maximum-daily-load-process/directory-of-improvement-projects/padilla-bay-fc-tmdl

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

Columbia River water supply projects

We are implementing projects to help meet water needs in the Columbia River Basin.

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

Aquifer storage, recovery, & recharge

Artificially recharging groundwater can increase groundwater supplies and benefit surface water.

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

Southwest Region

https://ecology.wa.gov/ecologys-work-near-you/regional-work/southwest-region

Sammamish River temperature & dissolved oxygen TMDL

We are studying the Sammamish River watershed to determine how to improve its water quality.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/water-improvement/total-maximum-daily-load-process/directory-of-improvement-projects/sammamish-river-tmdl

Contaminated mine sites

Abandoned mines can be dangerous to people and the environment. Learn how to clean up mining contamination.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/cleanup-sites/contaminated-mine-sites

Drayton Harbor Bacteria TMDL

We are working in Drayton Harbor to improve water quality for people and aquatic life.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/water-improvement/total-maximum-daily-load-process/directory-of-improvement-projects/drayton-harbor

Biosolids

Biosolids are an important source of soil nutrients for farmers and land managers.

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

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

In your watershed

We are providing water availability information for your watershed.

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

Water quality standards for Washington's groundwater

Chapter 173-200 (WAC) addresses water quality standards for Washington's groundwater.

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

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

Critical aquifer recharge areas resources for VSP planning

Critical aquifer recharge areas resources for planning under the Voluntary Stewardship Program.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/accountability-transparency/partnerships-committees/voluntary-stewardship-program/critical-aquifer-recharge-areas-resources

Rainwater collection

You don't need a water right permit to use water collected from your rooftop.

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

2022 session legislation

Solid waste and recycling laws we are implementing.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-recycling-waste/strategic-policy-and-planning/enacting-legislation/2022-legislation

Plastics

Reduce the use of plastics, and recycle plastics

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

PFAS in wastewater

We are working to better understand and prevent PFAS contamination in wastewater.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-toxic-chemicals/addressing-priority-toxic-chemicals/pfas/wastewater

Case law

Washington courts provide guidance for how we apply our water resource laws and rules.

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

Puyallup River basin TMDLs

We work with partners in the Puyallup River Basin to improve water quality for people and fish.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/water-improvement/total-maximum-daily-load-process/directory-of-improvement-projects/puyallup

Single-use serviceware outreach toolkit

Share information about Washington restrictions on single-use serviceware like utensils and straws.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-recycling-waste/plastics/2021-plastic-pollution-laws/food-serviceware/single-use-serviceware-outreach-and-translated-content