Sand & Gravel General Permit (SGGP) 2026 Reissuance Big Changes
Landau has been working with industries and the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) reviewing and commenting on the changes in the new SGGP. We have hands-on experience working with Ecology permit managers and experience working with five of the largest operators in Washington State. Here are the 2026 big changes:
- Impervious surfaces have been defined to exclude gravel roads and compact earthen materials impacting vehicle/equipment cleaning, unhardened concrete storage, and concrete recycling.
- Monitoring for hexavalent chromium is required for surface water discharges of process water from select industries.
- Monitoring for TDS is required for groundwater discharges of process water from sand and gravel mining industries within protected aquifers.
- Impervious surfaces are a required best management practice (BMP) for the storage and handling of Recycled Concrete Aggregates (RCA).
- The discharge of leachate or process water associated with hydroexcavation solids is prohibited.
- Groundwater discharges are redefined to be at discrete locations designed for infiltration.
- The requirement to store, treat, and monitor process water prior to discharge is expanded to more than concrete and asphalt batch facilities.
- Lined impoundments used for treatment of wastewater cannot be used as part of the secondary containment.
- Chemical Use Plans are required for chemicals that enter stormwater discharges. Exemptions include carbon dioxide sparging, dry ice, concrete admixtures, and others.
- Disposal of sediment track-out wastewater or sludge should be disposed of at an onsite infiltration structure that discharges only to groundwater.
- Soap-impacted water can be discharged to ground after treatment per a facility’s Chemical Use Plan. Soaps must be biodegradable and phosphate free and have no nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE) surfactants.
- Unhardened concrete is defined as concrete that is malleable and pourable, but the definition also includes uncured concrete products.
- Annual reports are required. Fiscal Year Sand & Gravel Production Reporting Forms are also required for select industries.
Landau is here to help! Reach out to us for support with your SGGP compliance.
Dan Joseph, PE | Associate Engineer
Landau Associates