Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

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

Spills & Cleanup

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup

Hanford overview

A story map of Hanford's history.

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

Underground storage tank (UST) program

Our Underground Storage Tank program protects the environment by regulating more than 8,500 tanks.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/underground-storage-tanks

Toxics Cleanup Program’s statutes and regulations

The Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP) operates under two major sets of laws.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/rules-directing-our-cleanup-work

Underground storage tank regulations

We updated the underground storage tank regulations, Chapter 173-360A WAC, known as the UST rule.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/underground-storage-tanks/ust-regulation-overview

Underground storage tank program contacts

Find contacts in your area for underground storage tanks or leaking underground storage tanks.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/underground-storage-tanks/ust-contact-list

Underground storage tank closures

Important information about closing your underground storage tanks.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/ust-owner-and-operator-resources/tank-closures

Underground Storage Tank information for new owners and new installations

Information for new Underground Storage Tank (UST) owners and installation of new tanks.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/ust-owner-and-operator-resources/new-owner-new-tank

Resources for underground storage tank owners & operators

Follow procedures to keep your tanks safe.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/ust-owner-and-operator-resources

Underground Storage Tank (UST) public record

We collect data on the sources and causes of underground storage tank (UST) releases in Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/underground-storage-tanks/ust-public-record

Common cleanup situations for homeowners and small businesses

Learn about common cleanup situations likely to affect home and small business owners.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/guidance-for-residential-cleanups/common-cleanup-situations-for-homeowners-small-b

Leaking underground storage tanks

Cleanup resources for underground storage tanks that have leaked petroleum products into the ground.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/leaking-underground-storage-tanks

Contaminated Site Register & cleanup data

Get information on contaminated site cleanups through our newsletter and database.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/site-register-lists-and-data

Underground storage tank operator certification

Learn how to get the required underground storage tank operator certification.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/ust-owner-and-operator-resources/operator-certification-training

Underground storage tank service providers

Information for underground storage tank (UST) service providers and for those looking to find one.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/ust-owner-and-operator-resources/service-providers

Policies and guidance for site cleanups

Policies and guidance interpret the MTCA cleanup law and help you clean up contaminated sites.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/plans-policies/toxics-cleanup-policies

What to do if you spill oil or hazardous substances

Spills to water must be reported immediately to help reduce impacts to the environment.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/reporting-requirements/spills-if-you-spill

Oil spill prevention plans for facilities

Oil spill prevention plans reduce the risk of oil spills at large refineries and marine terminals.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/plans-policies/spills-prevention-plans-for-facilities

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

FAQ: Investigate and report toxic releases

FAQs to help homeowners and small businesses investigate and report toxic releases.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/guidance-for-residential-cleanups/investigating-reporting-toxic-releases

Records search checklist

Before buying property, use the records search checklist for due diligence and to know past uses.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/guidance-for-residential-cleanups/records-search-checklist

FAQ: Evaluate options to clean up homes and small businesses

These FAQs help homeowners and small businesses evaluate cleanup options and complete cleanup work.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/guidance-for-residential-cleanups/evaluation-cleanup-for-homeowners-small-busine

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

Spill response plans for Class 2 mobile facilities

We require Class 2 mobile oil-handling facilities in Washington to have a spill response plan.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/plans-policies/contingency-planning-for-oil-industry/spill-response-plans-for-mobile-oil-facilities

Financial assurance for cleanup operations

Financial assurance is a way to ensure that companies can pay for cleanup from their operations.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/dispose-recycle-or-treat/financial-assurance

Hanford tank waste management

Hanford's underground tank waste will be retrieved and made into glass at the Waste Treatment Plant.

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

Tools for cleaning up petroleum contaminated sites

We have online tools and guidance to help you clean up petroleum-contaminated sites.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/contamination-cleanup-tools/petroleum-cleanup-tools

Toxics Cleanup

Learn about polluted lands in Washington: the cleanup process, who pays, and the public's role.

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

Dirt Alert program

Information to help protect yourself from arsenic and lead in soil from industry and farming.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/dirt-alert-program

Hanford Waste Treatment Plant

The Hanford Waste Treatment Plant will incorporate the worst of tank waste into glass.

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

Bothell area cleanup

Ecology is managing and investing in 24 cleanup sites in the Bothell downtown and surrounding area.

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

Cleanup sites

Find information on specific contamination cleanup sites.

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

Brownfields in Washington

Our Brownfields Program helps local governments put abandoned properties back into use.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/brownfields

How the cleanup process works

Cleaning up contamination protects human health and the environment. In Washington

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/cleanup-process

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

Cleaning up contaminated sediment in Washington

Cleaning up contaminated sediment protects human health and Washington's valuable natural resources.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/sediment-cleanups

Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration

The NRDA process helps restore natural resources after contamination.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/natural-resource-damage-assessment-and-restoration

Voluntary Cleanup Program

The Voluntary Cleanup Program helps property owners and operators clean up sites independently.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/voluntary-cleanup-program

Hanford cleanup process

An overview of our role in cleaning up the Hanford Site.

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

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

I want to...

Quickly find topics and information on Ecology's website.

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

Index of interpretive and policy statements, and declaratory and final orders

Our interpretive and policy statements.

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

Environmental penalties for first quarter 2020

May 12, 2020 News release: We issued $1,035,200 in penalties of $1,000 or more from January through March 2020.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/may-12-1st-quarter-penalties

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

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

April 29, 2024 News release: The Hanford Site agencies have announced a landmark agreement for cleaning up millions of gallons of radioactive and chemical waste from large, underground tanks at the Hanford Site.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/holistic-negotiations-agreement

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

Environmental penalties issued for the fourth quarter of 2023

August 19, 2024 News release: Ecology issued $1,109,200 in penalties of $1,000 or more from Oct. 1 – Dec. 31, 2023.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/aug-19-penalty-summary-for-quarter-4-2023

Ecology issues $1 million fine to U.S. Department of Energy for not providing access to crucial data

January 6, 2020 News release: Ecology issued a $1 million penalty to the U.S. Department of Energy for restricting the state’s access to critical data. The restricted data is vital to Ecology’s regulatory and oversight role at the Hanford Site in Eastern Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/jan-6-ecology-fines-u-s-department-of-energy-1-mi

Ecology tracking Hanford waste tank leak

April 29, 2021 News release: The U.S. Department of Energy announced Thursday an underground radioactive and dangerous chemical waste storage tank at the Hanford Site in Southeast Washington is leaking.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/ecology-tracking-hanford-waste-tank-leak