Water & Shorelines - Washington State Department of Ecology

Water & Shorelines - Washington State Department of Ecology We improve and protect water quality, manage and conserve water resources, and effectively manage coastal and inland shorelines to assure our state has sufficient supplies of clean water for communities and the natural environment. Washington's Water Future: We're bringing communities together to find local solutions to our state's water supply challenges. Water Quality services include: water quality assessment, cleanups, wastewater management, runoff control, Puget Sound monitoring, water quality standards, water quality grants and loans, water improvement, water quality permits, nonpoint pollution management, wastewater treatment, reclaimed water, groundwater management, and freshwater protection. Water Supply services include: water resource management, water availability assessment, water rights administration, streamflow restoration, wells management, dam operations, water supply projects in Eastern Washington, stream flow protection, and water recovery solutions. Water Monitoring & Research: The department monitors water conditions and habitats in rivers, lakes, groundwater, Puget Sound, and the ocean, including swimming safety assessment. Shoreline & Coasts: The department partners to preserve and protect shorelines and oceans while supporting community needs, including management of Padilla Bay Reserve, shoreline management, hazards resilience, ocean management, coastal zone management, coastal research and engineering, and aquaculture. Wetlands: The department protects, restores, and manages wetlands due to their key role in watershed health, including regulations, mitigation, tools and resources, and educational resources. Online tools and resources available include: Dam operation and maintenance guidance, Municipal Water Law information, 401 Water quality certification, Stormwater general permits, Beach monitoring, Water rights search, Water Quality Atlas map tool, Well search and reporting, and State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Register.