Wash. Rev. Code » Title 90 · Chapter 90.48
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 90.48.020 (2026)

Definitions

✓ current as of May 2026
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Whenever the word "person" is used in this chapter, it shall be construed to include any political subdivision, government agency, municipality, industry, public or private corporation, copartnership, association, firm, individual or any other entity whatsoever.
Wherever the words "waters of the state" shall be used in this chapter, they shall be construed to include lakes, rivers, ponds, streams, inland waters, underground waters, salt waters and all other surface waters and watercourses within the jurisdiction of the state of Washington.
Whenever the word "pollution" is used in this chapter, it shall be construed to mean such contamination, or other alteration of the physical, chemical or biological properties, of any waters of the state, including change in temperature, taste, color, turbidity, or odor of the waters, or such discharge of any liquid, gaseous, solid, radioactive, or other substance into any waters of the state as will or is likely to create a nuisance or render such waters harmful, detrimental or injurious to the public health, safety or welfare, or to domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural, recreational, or other legitimate beneficial uses, or to livestock, wild animals, birds, fish or other aquatic life.
Wherever the word "department" is used in this chapter it shall mean the department of ecology.
Whenever the word "director" is used in this chapter it shall mean the director of ecology.
Whenever the words "aquatic noxious weed" are used in this chapter, they have the meaning prescribed under RCW 17.26.020.
Whenever the words "general sewer plan" are used in this chapter they shall be construed to include all sewerage general plans, sewer general comprehensive plans, plans for a system of sewerage, and other plans for sewer systems adopted by a local government entity including but not limited to cities, towns, public utility districts, and water-sewer districts.
[ 2002 c 161 s 4; 1995 c 255 s 7; 1987 c 109 s 122; 1967 c 13 s 1; 1945 c 216 s 2; Rem. Supp. 1945 s 10964b.]

Notes:

Effective date—1995 c 255: See RCW 17.26.901.
Purpose—Short title—Construction—Rules—Severability—Captions—1987 c 109: See notes following RCW 43.21B.001.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 18 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1996–2024 · leading case: Pub. Util. DIST. v. State, Dept. of Ecology, 51 P.3d 744 (Wash. 2002).
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Pub. Util. DIST. v. State, Dept. of Ecology, 51 P.3d 744 (Wash. 2002). · cites it 4× “RCW 90.48.020. This definition is, if anything, broader than the definition of "pollution" in the Clean Water Act.”
Pub. Util. Dist. No. 1 v. Dep't of Ecology, 146 Wash. 2d 778 (Wash. 2002). · cites it 4× “RCW 90.48.020. This definition is, if anything, broader than the definition of “pollution” in the Clean Water Act.”
Tiegs v. Watts, 135 Wash. 2d 1 (Wash. 1998). · cites it 2× “” Instruction 14 quoted in its entirety the statutory definition of “pollution” in RCW 90.48.020: Whenever the word “pollution” is used in this chapter, it *11 shall be construed to mean such contamination, or other alteration of the physical, chemical or biological properties,…”
Tiegs v. Watts, 954 P.2d 877 (Wash. 1998). · cites it 2× “" Instruction 14 quoted in its entirety the statutory definition of "pollution" in RCW 90.48.020: Whenever the word "pollution" is used in this chapter, it shall be construed to mean such contamination, or other alteration of the physical, chemical or biological properties, of…”
Yakima Cnty. v. E. Washington Growth Mgmt. Hearings Bd., 279 P.3d 434 (Wash. Ct. App. 2012). · cites it 2× “RCW 90.48.020. In chapter 16C.06 YCC, Yakima County sets protections for the “stream corridor system,” including “hydrologically related critical areas, streams, lakes, ponds, and wetlands.”
Lemire v. Dep't of Ecology, 309 P.3d 395 (Wash. 2013). · cites it 3× “RCW 90.48.020. ¶11 Hence, substantial evidence will support Ecology’s order if the evidence shows that conditions on Lemire’s ranch have substantial potential to violate prohibitions against discharging into state waters organic material that pollutes or tends to cause pollution.”
Tiegs v. Boise Cascade Corp., 922 P.2d 115 (Wash. Ct. App. 1996). “” Instruction 14 defined "pollution,” as found at RCW 90.48.020, to mean "contamination ...”
Pac. Topsoils v. State Dept. of Ecology, 238 P.3d 1201 (Wash. Ct. App. 2010). · cites it 8× “48 RCW, the Water Pollution Control Act (WPCA), because the WPCA does not expressly include wetlands in its definition of "waters of the state.”
State v. Lundgren, 971 P.2d 948 (Wash. Ct. App. 1999). “RCW 90.48.020; Gulf Park, 972 F.Supp. at 1063 .”
Pac. Topsoils, Inc. v. Dep't of Ecology, 157 Wash. App. 629 (Wash. Ct. App. 2010). · cites it 6× “48 RCW, the water pollution control act (WPCA), because the WPCA does not expressly include wetlands in its definition of “waters of the state.”
Dep't of Ecology v. Lundgren, 94 Wash. App. 236 (Wash. Ct. App. 1999). “RCW 90.48.020; Gulf Park, 972 F. Supp. at 1063 .”
Dep't of Ecology v. Douma, 147 Wash. App. 143 (Wash. Ct. App. 2008). “” RCW 90.48.020. RCW 90.48.144 governs the issuance of civil penalties for violations of water pollution laws.”
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— Wash. Rev. Code § 90.48.020(3)(b) — 1 case
Dp2 Props., V. State Of Wa Dept Of Ecology (Wash. Ct. App. 2021).
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