The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) is working on two related rules for the Water Quality Standards for Surface Waters of the State of Washington, Chapter 173-201A WAC.

1. Establishing new human health criteria.
2. Providing new implementation and compliance tools for dischargers.

To support these concurrent rule processes, Ecology is hosting a Water Quality Policy Forum to provide a structured dialog throughout the rulemaking process.

Related Information

• Focus Sheet: Updates to Water Quality Standards (February 2013)
• Frequently Asked Questions: Updating Washington’s water quality standards for toxics (February 2013)
• Focus Sheet: Updating Human Health Criteria (November 2012)
• Former Ecology Director Ted Sturdevant’s letter and timeline for Ecology’s work to reduce toxics (July 2012)

Ecology initiated a rule revision on October 25, 2011 to update the Water Quality Standards for Surface Waters of the State of Washington - Chapter 173-201A WAC.

This rulemaking is currently in the CR-101 stage of the rule-making process.

Ecology intends to adopt proposed changes that will provide predictable regulatory implementation tools to help entities comply with existing and new source control requirements or discharge limits. The changes will allow for compliance with requirements while they effectively work toward meeting permit limits and control sources of pollutants.

• Implementation rule-making timeline

Ecology initiated a rule revision on September 13, 2012 with the intent to adopt new human health criteria in the Water Quality Standards for Surface Waters of the State of Washington - Chapter 173-201A WAC.

This rulemaking is currently in the CR-101 stage of the rule-making process.

Ecology intends to adopt new human health criteria to protect public health, safety, and welfare. The process will take into account factors used to calculate each chemical criterion including risk, duration of exposure, and more accurate data about how much fish and shellfish people eat in Washington.

• Human health criteria rule-making timeline

Ecology is hosting a Policy Forum and Delegate’s Table to help key parties and interested stakeholders understand and provide advice and perspective to the agency as we address the complex science and public policy issues of adopting new human health-based water quality standards and implementation tools.

• Water Quality Policy Forum and Delegate's Table