Bill would require Ecology to publish and notify public about sewage spills

Alicia Kinney Clawson, staff to the committee, introduced substitute House Bill 16 70, which would require the Department of Ecology to develop tools to communicate intentional or accidental sewage discharges that do not meet discharge-permit requirements. Key deadlines in the substitute bill include: by July 1, 2026, Ecology must develop and publish a public-facing website with spill-location information; by March 15, 2026, Ecology must provide an annual list of unauthorized sewage spills from the preceding year; and by July 1, 2027, Ecology must implement a public notification system allowing members of the public to opt in for notifications, with notices provided within four hours during regular business hours of Ecology’s receipt of a spill notification.

Representative Victoria Hunt, sponsor of the bill, said hundreds of sewage spills occur annually in the state and the measure will inform the public and help protect human and environmental health. “This bill would provide information to the public… so when they get to a beach or when they're swimming in the water, they wouldn't find one of these signs that lets them know that the beach is closed and there has been a sewage spill,” Hunt said. She also noted changes to the substitute reduced IT costs from the original bill and lowered the fiscal note.

Supporters included Miguel Marzolf of the Seattle Aquarium and Sean Dixon of Puget Soundkeeper, who said public access to spill information is important for public-health choices and environmental accountability. Leslie Conley, strategic planning manager for Ecology’s Water Quality Program, provided technical input on implementation and confirmed Ecology would post spill details (volume, treatment level, date/time, location, cessation time, geographic area impacted and containment steps) and would provide notifications and an annual report. She said Ecology already links where jurisdictions or municipalities do their own notification work and that the bill would be additive.

The committee closed public testimony with broad support; staff reported a fiscal estimate that Ecology expects costs (an estimate of $212,000 in the 2025–27 biennium was mentioned in staff briefing). No committee vote was recorded at this hearing.