Washington State Department of Ecology

photo of two people in a kayak

Washington Waters — Ours to Protect

WASHINGTON WATERS
OURS TO PROTECT



 Duwamish River Festival, original photo by Aiden Duffy

Washington waters need our help.

Puget Sound. The Columbia River. The Pacific Ocean. These waters and many more rivers, lakes and streams are part of Washington’s identity, character and daily life.

  • About one-third of Washington's waters are too polluted to meet state water quality standards.
  • More than 60 percent of water pollution comes from things like cars leaking oil, fertilizers and pesticides from farms and gardens, failing septic tanks, pet waste and fuel spills from recreational boaters.

All these small, dispersed sources add up to a big pollution problem. But each of us can do small things to help clean up our waters too—and that adds up to a pollution solution!

Puget Sound Starts Here


FREE CAR WORKSHOPS!


Take a pledge to protect our waters

Click here to report environmental problems

SPREAD THE WORD

Simple actions by individuals multiply to make a big difference. Share what you're doing to inspire others into action.

FUN ACTIVITIES

Are you stormwater smart? Take the Stormwater Quiz

What's your Pollution Prevention Personality Profile?

Video: MARINE WATER QUALITY MONITORING

Highlighting scientists who monitor Washington's marine waters. Also read the ECOconnect blog.

 CLEAN,
GREEN BOATING

Boat owners play an important role in protecting water quality.

Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.

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