OLYMPIA —The Washington State Department of Ecology has implemented new water quality rules to protect aquatic life from toxic chemicals, marking an update to the state’s environmental standards, recently.
These changes are based on the latest scientific research and recommendations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Tribal governments, and aim to safeguard species like fish and invertebrates from harmful pollutants.
The updated criteria set limits for 42 chemicals in both marine and freshwater environments, addressing immediate effects such as death and long-term impacts like changes in growth and reproduction.
The new rules enhance protections for well-known toxics already regulated in the state, including arsenic, copper, nickel, silver, and zinc. Additionally, new limits have been established for emerging contaminants such as PFOA and PFOS, which are part of the PFAS chemical group, as well as aluminum and 6PPD-quinone.
Washington is the first state in the nation to establish a numeric freshwater limit for 6PPD-quinone, a chemical derived from vehicle tire breakdown. This substance has been found to be highly toxic to certain salmon and trout species, including coho salmon and steelhead. The new regulation is expected to help reduce the amount of 6PPD-quinone entering the state’s waterways.
“By using innovative methods and new scientific studies, we can better protect salmon, shellfish, and all aquatic life from the toxic chemicals they face every day,” said Vince McGowan, Ecology’s Water Quality program manager. “The new limits are customized to Washington’s unique environment and the species we need to protect.”
The new PFOA and PFOS criteria are based on the EPA’s current draft national aquatic life standards for these chemicals. Ecology, with input from public comments, determined that setting these limits now would better protect Washington’s waters rather than waiting for the EPA to finalize national criteria.
Once the new standards are approved by the EPA, the Department of Ecology will use them to identify polluted waters and develop cleanup plans. The criteria will also guide updates to water quality permits for facilities that discharge these chemicals.
Clare is an Eastern Washington University graduate and a reporter at Free Press Publishing.
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