PFAS in biosolids sampling law

Temporary sampling for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in biosolids starts Jan. 1, 2027 and goes through June 30, 2028 per Chapter 70A.226 RCW.

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Review the Sampling Guidance for PFAS in Biosolids

Who must sample

Most facilities permitted under the Statewide General Permit for Biosolids Management (general permit) are required to sample their biosolids for PFAS. Review the Sampling Guidance for PFAS in Biosolids to determine what facilities must sample (Appendix A), and at what frequency.

Sampling and Analysis Plan (SAP)

Ecology is developing the Biosolids PFAS Sampling and Analysis Plan (SAP) template to enable facilities to conduct sample collection, preservation, and shipment to a lab with little or no additional assistance. Facilities must complete this SAP template and submit to Ecology for review and approval in advance of sampling activities.

Ecology is also working on developing additional documents to assist facilities with sample collection and lab coordination. These include the following:

Biosolids PFAS Lab Instructions Cover Sheet: This is intended to assist facilities when communicating sampling needs to the lab.
Biosolids PFAS Field Log Template: This document captures details about the sample collection process and conditions.

The SAP and supporting documents will be posted here when available.

Results submission portal

Ecology is developing a PFAS monitoring portal – an online platform to simplify the results submission process and assist with tracking sampling events.

Facilities will have access to this portal during the sampling period and must use it to submit their results to Ecology.

Ecology is also working on developing a Biosolids PFAS Results Template to simplify the results submission process. All facilities will be required to use this template to submit results to Ecology.

We’ll link to the PFAS monitoring portal and results template here when they are available.

Sampling resources

These documents are being developed and will be linked below when available.

Document	Description	Publication date (estimated)	Document type
Sampling Guidance for PFAS in Biosolids	Establishes biosolids sampling frequency and identifies facilities subject to sampling requirements.	July 1, 2026	Reference
Biosolids PFAS Sampling and Analysis Plan (SAP) Template	Enables facilities to conduct sample collection, preservation, and shipment to a lab with little or no additional assistance.	Summer 2026	Instructional template
Biosolids PFAS Lab Instructions Cover Sheet	Assists facilities with communicating sampling needs to the lab.	Summer 2026	Reference and template
Biosolids PFAS Field Log Template	Captures details about the sample collection process and conditions.	Summer 2026	Template
Biosolids PFAS Results Template	Format in which results must be submitted to Ecology.	Fall 2026	Template
Sampling Video	Instructions for “How to sample for PFAS in biosolids”	Fall 2026	Tutorial

RCW 70A.226.020 requires facilities regulated under the general permit to sample their biosolids for PFAS. Applicable facilities must have their biosolids analyzed between Jan. 1, 2027 and June 30, 2028 at the frequency established in Ecology’s Sampling Guidance for PFAS in Biosolids. Analysis must be conducted by an accredited lab using EPA method 1633A (or EPA method 1633).

All sampling results must be provided to Ecology for review and compilation into a report. The report will summarize the levels of PFAS found in biosolids generated and/or land-applied in Washington, and it will provide recommendations on how to proceed based on the analysis. While drafting the report, Ecology must consult with an advisory committee made up of representatives outlined in RCW 70A.226.025. The report will be made available to the legislature and public by July 1, 2029.

July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026: Ecology seeks input on sampling guidance requirements.
July 1, 2026: Ecology publishes guidance clarifying sampling requirements.
Jan. 1, 2027–June 30, 2028: Facilities must sample certain biosolids for PFAS chemicals using EPA method 1633A, starting no later than Jan. 1, 2027 and ending June 30, 2028.
May 2028–April 2029: Ecology analyzes the levels of PFAS chemicals in biosolids produced in and/or land applied in Washington, consults with an advisory committee to develop recommended next steps based on the analysis, and drafts the legislative report.
July 1, 2029: Ecology submits the report to the legislature and the public.

Contact information

Biosolids team
biosolids@ecy.wa.gov

Torrie Shaul
Biosolids technical specialist
torrie.shaul@ecy.wa.gov
360-407-6889