Water quality individual permits

We issue different types individual permits, that are based on where the discharged water goes:

• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits cover discharge to surface waterbodies like rivers, lakes, or the Puget Sound. 
• State Waste Discharge Permits (SWD) cover discharge to either groundwater or a publicly owned wastewater treatment facility.
• Reclaimed water permits cover the distribution and use of recycled wastewater. Learn more about reclaimed water.

What does a permit include?

Individual permits translate federal and state laws into specific requirements and conditions for a facility.

Permit requirements include:

• Discharge limits for specific pollutants
• Monitoring and reporting requirements
• Operation and maintenance requirements
• Best management practices (BMPs) that help prevent pollution
• Specific requirements for the facility, based on past performance

Along with the permit, a fact sheet accompanies each individual permit to explain each requirement, how it was developed, and a history of the permit.

National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits

The NPDES permit program helps address water pollution by regulating facilities that discharge pollutants to waters of the United States also called surface water. The Environmental Protection Agency gave Ecology the authority to implement the NPDES program across Washington. 

We issue NPDES permits for all municipalities and industries discharging wastewater to waterbodies. We might include stormwater discharges from an industrial facility under an individual permit when coverage requirements are not met for the Industrial Stormwater General Permit.

Water quality pollution trading

Pollution trading, sometimes called water quality credit trading, uses the market concept to help achieve water quality goals. This is a potential option for permittees trying to meet effluent limits.  

State Waste Discharge (SWD) permits

We have two different types of discharge that are regulated by these types of permits

Domestic or Industrial wastewater to groundwater

We issue permits to municipalities and industries that discharge wastewater to groundwater through processes such as land treatment or infiltration. 

Industrial to publicly owned wastewater facility - pretreatment

These permits, also called pretreatment permits, cover industries that discharge their wastewater to public wastewater treatment facility, excluding industrial stormwater.

As allowed under federal and state law, we authorize some municipalities and sewer districts to write permits for industries discharging wastewater to their public wastewater treatment facility. The following municipalities have this pretreatment authority. If your business is located in the areas listed in the table and you plan to send your industrial wastewater to their facility, contact them directly for details about their permitting process. For industries in all other areas, contact Ecology before you submit a permit application.