Washington State Department of Ecology

Celebrating a pioneer: Suzanne’s exceptional service and lasting impact on Hanford cleanup

In this new edition of this blog we are highlighting the story of Tank Waste Treatment Section Manager, Suzanne Dahl. Suzanne ...
Washington State Department of Ecology

When sewage spills happen, we have the data

Sometimes things happen with wastewater treatment and untreated or partially treated sewage can spill. We created a webpage ...
Washington State Department of Ecology

Helping Washington businesses reduce toxics: Inside Ecology’s Pollution Prevention Incentive Fund

Ecology’s pollution prevention services provide non-enforcement technical assistance to Washington businesses. Our engineers, ...
agr.wa.gov

Monitoring Hanford's groundwater and protecting the Columbia River

During the 45 years of plutonium production at Hanford, waste water was being dumped or injected into the ground. We oversee the monitoring and cleanup of contaminated water under the Hanford site.
agr.wa.gov

Ordinary high water mark

"That mark that will be found by examining the bed and banks and ascertaining where the presence and action of waters are so common and usual, and so long continued in all ordinary years, as to mark ...
agr.wa.gov

Recycling Reform Act will lower recycling costs in Washington state

Producers will pay for residential packaging waste and we’ll have the same curbside recyclables from Renton to Ritzville Work is underway to transform how we recycle in Washington. Thanks to the ...
agr.wa.gov

Air quality permits

An air permit is required for business, commercial, and individual activities that emit air pollution through industrial processes or burning. An air permit protects public health and the environment ...
agr.wa.gov

Chapter 173-950 WAC - Recycling Reform

Ecology is starting rulemaking for a new rule, chapter 173-950 WAC. This rule will guide implementation of the Recycling Reform Act, a law that creates an extended producer responsibility (EPR) ...
agr.wa.gov

Statewide wetland mapping inventory project

We conducted a statewide survey to learn about the general areas and regions in Washington where wetland-mapping work is completed or underway. There is an interactive map and other resources below to ...
agr.wa.gov

Permit fees

On July 30, 2026, Ecology began a rulemaking to amend Chapter 173-224 WAC, Water Quality Fees Rulemaking. Visit our webpage for this rulemaking to learn more and see where we are in the process. We ...
agr.wa.gov

Avoiding & minimizing wetland impacts

Wetlands are protected by local, state, and federal laws. Applicants with development proposals that may adversely affect wetlands must apply mitigation sequencing before permitting agencies consider ...
agr.wa.gov

Stormwater general permits

Stormwater is rain and snow melt that runs off surfaces such as rooftops, paved streets, highways, and parking lots. As water runs off these surfaces, it can pick up pollutants that contaminate local ...