Washington Administrative Code
Title 173 - Ecology, Department of (See also Titles 197, 317, 372, and 508)
Chapter 173-216 - State waste discharge permit program
Section 173-216-020 - Policy enunciated

(1) It shall be the policy of the department in carrying out the requirements of this chapter, to maintain the highest possible standards to ensure the purity of all waters of the state and to require the use of all known, available and reasonable methods to prevent and control the discharge of wastes into the waters of the state. Notwithstanding that standards of quality established for the waters of the state would not be violated, wastes and other materials shall not be allowed to enter such waters which will reduce the existing quality thereof, except in those situations where it is clear that overriding considerations of public interest will be served.

(2) Consistent with this policy, the discharge of waste materials into municipal sewerage systems which would interfere with, pass through, or otherwise be incompatible with such systems or which would contaminate the sludge will not be permitted.

(3) Consistent with this policy, the department will act to prevent the disposal of wastes that present a risk to human health, including the potential, chronic effects of lifetime exposure to waste materials.