The Washington state department of ecology (ecology) is reissuing the winery state waste discharge general permit (permit) on May 29, 2024. The permit becomes effective on July 1, 2024, and expires on June 30, 2029.

Purpose of the Permit: The permit addresses various legal requirements and responsibilities, and regulates the discharge of pollutants to protect water quality in Washington state. The permit provides coverage for the conditional discharge of pollutants to land, ground waters, or to a wastewater treatment plant in the state of Washington. The wastewater discharge methods covered under this permit include unlisted wastewater treatment plants, irrigation to managed vegetation, lagoons or other liquid storage structures, road dust abatement, subsurface infiltration systems, and infiltration basins. The permit is a state waste discharge permit that limits the discharge of pollutants to groundwater under the authority of the State Water Pollution Control Act (chapter 90.48 RCW).

Public Notice Process and Comments: Ecology accepted public comments on the draft permit from January 18, 2024,through March 1, 2024. Ecology held informational public workshops and hearings during this time via online statewide webinars on February 20, 2024, and February 26, 2024. Ecology received written public comments and emails. The comments and ecology's responses are included as Appendix D of the fact sheet.

Copies of the Permit: The final permit, fact sheet, and response to comments are available online at https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/winery-permit. You may request hard copies from Jackie Lince at jackie.lince@ecy.wa.gov or 360-407-6400.

Applying for Coverage Under the Permit: Your facility covered under the existing permit that reapplied for permit coverage will be covered under the new permit. New or unpermitted wineries may obtain coverage under the permit by submitting a complete permit application to ecology and satisfying all applicable public notice and State Environmental Policy Act requirements (WAC 173-226-200). The application is available online at https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/winery-permit#info.

Ecology Contact: Danielle Edelman, Washington State Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47696, Olympia, WA 98504-7696, phone 360-763-2597, email danielle.edelman@ecy.wa.gov.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: To request ADA accommodation for disabilities, call ecology at 360-407-7285 or visit https://ecology.wa.gov/accessibility. People with impaired hearing may call Washington relay service at 711. People with speech disability may call TTY at 877-833-6341.

Your Right to Appeal: You have a right to appeal the final general permit and general permit coverage for a specific facility to the pollution control hearings board. The appeal process is governed by chapters 43.21B RCW and 371-08 WAC.


•	Appeals of the general permit issuance must be filed within 30 days of issuance of the general permit. See the Appeal of the General Permit Focus Sheet for more information at https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/documents/1710009.pdf.
•	Appeals of general permit coverage for a specific facility must be filed within 30 days of the effective date of coverage. See the Appeal of a General Permit Coverage Focus Sheet for more information at https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/documents/1710007.pdf.