Technical assistance information for dischargers of industrial wastewater in King County

Technical resources for industrial dischargers:

The King County Office of Business Relations and Economic Development's Environmental Resources for Business guide. A comprehensive list of regulatory agencies, information and service providers to facilitate environmental compliance and cleanup and to promote clean technologies and production practices.

Laboratory Waste Management Guide (212KB) (external link) prepared by the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County, Washington.

The National Compliance Assistance Centers (external link) --The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has sponsored partnerships with industry, academic institutions, environmental groups, and other agencies to launch sector-specific Compliance Assistance Centers (Centers). Each Center addresses real world issues in language that speaks to the regulated entities. Through Internet Web sites, telephone assistance lines, fax-back systems, and e-mail discussion groups, the Centers are helping businesses, local governments, and federal facilities understand federal environmental requirements and save money through pollution prevention techniques.

The NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (NPG) (external link) is intended as a source of general industrial hygiene information on several hundred chemicals/classes for workers, employers, and occupational health professionals. The NPG does not contain an analysis of all pertinent data, rather it presents key information and data in abbreviated or tabular form for chemicals or substance groupings (e.g. cyanides, fluorides, manganese compounds) that are found in the work environment. The information found in the NPG should help users recognize and control occupational chemical hazards. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is the federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness.

Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center (PPRC) (external link) is a non-profit organization that is one of the Northwest's leading sources of pollution prevention (P2) information.

The King County Stormwater Pollution Prevention Manual

View the Washington State Department of Ecology's publications including the newsletter Shoptalk, A Publication for Dangerous Waste Generators.(external link)

Washington State Certified Labs (external link)

The Washington State Department of Ecology TREE (Technical Resources for Engineering Efficiency) Team (external link) -- is made up of Ecology engineers and scientists who use their expertise in industrial processes and pollution prevention to improve a facility's efficiency. The team uses research, process modeling and engineering analysis to find ways to reduce waste while saving money. The TREE team provides FREE, non-regulatory, and non-binding technical assistance for small to mid-size private businesses.

Related agencies and organizations:

The King County/City of Seattle Brownfields Program provides assistance to qualified private businesses and landowners, nonprofit organizations and municipalities within King County to assess and clean up contaminated sites, or brownfields.

King County Environmental Laboratory provides quality field, laboratory, information technology services, and advisory services in support of King County and other publicly-sponsored programs that protect and enhance water quality.

King County Wastewater Treatment Division -- --The Industrial Waste Program is a part of this division. Our mission is to protect public health and the environment by conveying and treating the region's wastewater. Since 1958 we have helped prevent water pollution and improve water quality while recycling natural resources. King County provides wastewater treatment to 17 cities, 16 sewer districts and the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe in the central Puget Sound region. The system serves about 1.4 million people, including most urban areas of King County and parts of south Snohomish County and north Pierce County.

Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County (external link) is a regional program of local governments working together to protect public health and environmental quality by helping citizens, businesses and government reduce the threat posed by the use, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials.

King County local sewer agencies-- --Links to sewer agencies in King County's wastewater service area; the King County Council's Regional Water Quality Committee and information about the Metropolitan Water Pollution Abatement Advisory Committee (MWPAAC).

The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) (external link) represents the interests of the country's wastewater treatment agencies. NACWA maintains a key role in the development of environmental legislation, and works closely with federal regulatory agencies in the implementation of environmental programs.

Network for Business Innovation & Sustainability NW (NBIS) (external link) NBIS is a unique organization designed to help businesses meet the sustainability challenge and prepare for success in the changing global marketplace. NBIS offers a multidisciplinary response that draws upon the technical assistance provided by government and non-profit organizations, the expertise and student talent from member academic institutions, and the collaborative resources of individuals and businesses charting the path to sustainability.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (external link) is the federal agency created in 1970 to permit coordinated and effective governmental action, for protection of the environment by the systematic abatement and control of pollution, through integration of research monitoring, standard setting, and enforcement activities.

Washington State Department of Ecology (external link)
-- -- State of Washington's principal environmental management agency.