Puget Sound Nutrient General Permit Public Comment Due
August 27, 2025 @ 12:00 am - 11:59 pm
Scientists have shown for decades that too much nitrogen pollution in Puget Sound causes algae growth that lowers oxygen in the water and harms salmon, orcas, and shellfish. Wastewater treatment plants are the largest human-made source of this nitrogen, especially during the summer when oxygen is already low.
In 2021, the Department of Ecology created the Puget Sound Nutrient General Permit (PSNGP) to set rules for all treatment plants discharging into the Sound. In February 2025, the Pollution Control Hearings Board (PCHB) invalidated the PSNGP “insofar as it is mandatory” and remanded the permit back to Ecology for further action.
Now the Department of Ecology is updating the permit again, proposing to reissue the permit with changes to allow facilities to opt in and apply for permit coverage. This new draft of the PSNGP still allows high pollution levels and does not hold the biggest polluters accountable. Without stronger action, weak rules could be locked in for another five years while population growth and climate change make the problem worse.
REASONS FOR CONCERN
Too much nitrogen is hurting Puget Sound.
Wastewater treatment plants release nitrogen into the water. When there’s too much, it causes big algae blooms that suck up oxygen. Fish like salmon and orcas need that oxygen to survive.
The biggest polluters need the strongest rules.
Just two treatment plants (Tacoma Central and King County South) put out more than 60% of all the nitrogen in Puget Sound. These plants should not have the same loose rules as smaller ones—they need tougher limits and faster upgrades.
Rules must be fair and consistent.
Some cities are trying to “opt out” of the permit. If they do, they must still follow the same rules, monitoring, and timelines as everyone else. Otherwise, pollution just gets worse in certain places.
Action levels are set too high.
Right now, the rules let plants pollute close to their worst levels from the past five years before taking action. That’s like waiting until the house is almost flooded before fixing a leak. We need lower, realistic limits based on today’s data.
Growth and climate change will make things worse.
More people means more sewage. Warmer water and rising seas make oxygen problems even worse. The rules should plan ahead so nitrogen doesn’t keep going up as cities grow.
No backsliding allowed.
Treatment plants shouldn’t be allowed to expand or take on more sewage unless they also cut their nitrogen at the same time. Otherwise, water quality will keep sliding backwards.
Or you can send comments by U.S. mail (postmarked by Aug. 27, 2025) to:
William Weaver
WA Department of Ecology
PO Box 47696
Olympia, WA 98504-7696
By speaking up, you can help make sure this permit truly protects Puget Sound and the ecosystem it supports. If you have any questions, please contact us.
Scientists have shown for decades that too much nitrogen pollution in Puget Sound causes algae growth that lowers oxygen in the water and harms salmon, orcas, and shellfish. Wastewater treatment plants are the largest human-made source of this nitrogen, especially during the summer when oxygen is already low.
In 2021, the Department of Ecology created the Puget Sound Nutrient General Permit (PSNGP) to set rules for all treatment plants discharging into the Sound. In February 2025, the Pollution Control Hearings Board (PCHB) invalidated the PSNGP “insofar as it is mandatory” and remanded the permit back to Ecology for further action.
Now the Department of Ecology is updating the permit again, proposing to reissue the permit with changes to allow facilities to opt in and apply for permit coverage. This new draft of the PSNGP still allows high pollution levels and does not hold the biggest polluters accountable. Without stronger action, weak rules could be locked in for another five years while population growth and climate change make the problem worse.
REASONS FOR CONCERN
Wastewater treatment plants release nitrogen into the water. When there’s too much, it causes big algae blooms that suck up oxygen. Fish like salmon and orcas need that oxygen to survive.
Just two treatment plants (Tacoma Central and King County South) put out more than 60% of all the nitrogen in Puget Sound. These plants should not have the same loose rules as smaller ones—they need tougher limits and faster upgrades.
Some cities are trying to “opt out” of the permit. If they do, they must still follow the same rules, monitoring, and timelines as everyone else. Otherwise, pollution just gets worse in certain places.
Right now, the rules let plants pollute close to their worst levels from the past five years before taking action. That’s like waiting until the house is almost flooded before fixing a leak. We need lower, realistic limits based on today’s data.
More people means more sewage. Warmer water and rising seas make oxygen problems even worse. The rules should plan ahead so nitrogen doesn’t keep going up as cities grow.
Treatment plants shouldn’t be allowed to expand or take on more sewage unless they also cut their nitrogen at the same time. Otherwise, water quality will keep sliding backwards.
WAYS TO TAKE ACTION
Send written comments by 11:59pm on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 via Ecology’s online system.
Or you can send comments by U.S. mail (postmarked by Aug. 27, 2025) to:
William Weaver
WA Department of Ecology
PO Box 47696
Olympia, WA 98504-7696
By speaking up, you can help make sure this permit truly protects Puget Sound and the ecosystem it supports. If you have any questions, please contact us.
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