Water Quality

The Port of Vancouver USA’s innovative efforts strive to balance sustainable industrial activity, which keeps our local economies strong, with responsible waterway stewardship.

Stormwater Management 
The port is committed to protecting water quality through a robust stormwater management program. We use a wide range of best management practices to treat and manage stormwater across our property—including detention ponds, biofiltration systems, hydrodynamic separators, and filter vaults.

Stormwater at the port is regulated through multiple permits issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). These include:

• The Western Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit, which applies to stormwater collected by the port’s municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4). This permit also includes our Stormwater Management Program, Annual Report, and Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) policy.

• The Industrial Stormwater General Permit, covering approximately 160 acres of marine terminal space including Terminals 2, 3, and parts of Terminal 4.

• The Construction Stormwater General Permit, which applies to eligible construction projects at the port.

Drinking Water

The port’s water system provides drinking water for some industrial tenants, marine vessels, some port office buildings, irrigation and fire protection from three port-owned wells. Because these wells are located in a busy industrial area, the port takes extra steps to protect this important resource. Using an Environmental Management System (EMS), the port follows a clear plan to monitor water quality, prevent pollution, and keep the system running safely. This EMS follows international standards and helps the port continually improve how it protects its water supply.

Additional water necessary for port operations is provided by the City of Vancouver.

The port informs water users about the quality of our drinking water, including through its annual Consumer Confidence Report. Titled the Drinking Water Quality Report, the document has consistently confirmed that the port conducts water quality monitoring in compliance with state and federal health standards for drinking water (see below). For copies of all previous reports, please click the archive page below.

PFAS

Learning about PFAS

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are an emerging issue for water systems throughout Southwest Washington and across the country. The port is proactively testing and reporting PFAS levels. For more information about the port’s efforts on this issue, click here.