Access to water is a big deal. When water is in the news — whether it’s for drinking water in the home, irrigation, or some other purpose — people have questions. And sometimes they make up their own answers. This can cause stress and anxiety for water …
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Ecology and RAN General Partnership, and its owner Rick Alamwala, have reached a settlement over a $20,000 penalty resulting from the alleged illegal irrigation of 40 acres of blueberries in Whatcom County during …
UNION GAP – In the Yakima Basin, a third consecutive year of drought has caused historically low reservoir storage and streamflows. To address those conditions, the Washington Department of Ecology is issuing an unprecedented halt to surface water use …
We know that climate change is impacting every corner of Washington. Rising sea levels and more intense storms are flooding coastal communities and Tribal lands. Extreme temperatures are disrupting agriculture and putting vulnerable communities and those …
Ecology is partnering with fire departments across the state to help protect firefighters from exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – or PFAS – in firefighting foams. PFAS are resistant to heat which is one reason they are added to firefighting …
The City of Tacoma recently completed water quality improvement projects in the Larchmont neighborhood and the Madison District. These neighborhoods are now home to an innovative combination of stormwater management, safer streets, and public art. With …
What happens in the Chehalis River basin matters to all of Washington – and beyond. Over the last century, the Chehalis Basin’s salmon runs have declined while flooding has become more frequent and destructive – with five of the largest floods on record …
OLYMPIA – Air pollution can take a heavy toll on our health. These impacts are especially severe in communities close to industrial sources or exposed to high levels of transportation pollution or dust. A 2023 report from the Washington Department of …
Amid robust demand, we awarded $10 million from Climate Commitment Act funds to community-based organizations and municipalities working to improve air quality in critical areas. Work is underway to reduce pollution and improve public health through highly …
The Kachess River restoration project improved streamflow, habitat conditions, and ecosystem function on about one mile of the upper Kachess River. It’s that time again — funding to keep water in Washington state rivers is about to start flowing (pun …
PORT TOWNSEND – After leaks in pipes at the Port Townsend Paper Company (PTPC) spilled wastewater into Port Townsend Bay on two occasions earlier this year, the Washington Department of Ecology has fined the mill a total of $20,000 for the two water …
September 15-19 is SepticSmart Week! Given that about one-third of Washington homes rely on septic systems, this week we are highlighting important information and resources to help homeowners maintain and manage their septic systems. Today's focus is …
The Soos Creek watershed in south King County is home to streams that once supported a thriving community of salmon, trout, stream insects, and other native aquatic life. Today, these waters are struggling — though they are showing some signs of …
WALLA WALLA – The Walla Walla basin is a complex watershed that crosses the border between Oregon and Washington. Its rivers and streams connect the two states, but the watershed is chronically short on water and struggles to meet the needs of local …
VANCOUVER – The Portland Vancouver Junction Railroad (PVJR) company will pay a $31,058 penalty as part of a settlement with the Washington Department of Ecology over water quality violations at three Clark County construction sites. The settlement …
As seen here, repairing a septic system can be a major construction project. Every September, SepticSmart Week serves as a great reminder for homeowners to check their on-site septic systems. For many rural households, septic systems are the primary …
In this edition of Behind the Scenes at the Nuclear Waste Program, we hear from George Peck, the program's Toxicologist. A career and the importance of a solid team George Peck has been with the Nuclear Waste Program (NWP) for 2.5 years, but the …
SPOKANE – The Washington Department of Ecology fined a Spokane County farmer $100,000 for repeatedly irrigating 69 acres at Wild Rose Prairie, near Deer Park, without authorization. The violations continued despite warnings, a cease-and-desist order, and …
Hydrilla. Pondweed. Loosestrife. These might sound like the newest Gen Alpha slang, but they are actually far more obnoxious, or you might say, "noxious." They are noxious weeds. And that isn’t us name calling either. "Noxious weed" is …
OLYMPIA – On Wednesday, the Washington Department of Ecology released the results of the 11th quarterly Cap-and-Invest auction. Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller issued the following statement: “Today’s auction results underscore the confidence that …
