Environment - Water Quality Resources
Every piece of land we walk on, drive over, or build upon is part of a watershed - an area of land that drains all the streams and rainfall to a common outlet. From constructing new roads and buildings, to clearing vegetation and redirecting natural water flow, each decision affects the quality of the water that flows into our streams, lakes, and groundwater. These impacts accumulate, shaping the health of our local environment and the communities that rely on it. By becoming more aware of how our everyday choices influence the watershed, we can take steps—both big and small—to protect and preserve it for future generations.
Discover practical steps you can take to protect our shared resources below:
Resource Links
- Capitol Land Trust
- Center for Natural Lands Management
- Deschutes Estuary Restoration Team (DERT)
- Garden-Raised Bounty (GRuB)
- Nisqually Land Trust
- Nisqually Reach Nature Center
- Nisqually Stream Stewards
- Northwest Ecobuilding Guild
- Olympia Park Parks Stewardship
- South of the Sound Community Farm Land Trust
- Fertile Ground
- Thurston Climate Action Team (TCAT)
- Thurston Climate Mitigation Collaborative (TCMC)
- Thurston Eco Network
- Protecting Our Shorelines (Thurston Conservation District)
- Sea Level Rise (Department of Commerce)
- Heat Islands - Impacts to People and Our Watersheds (EPA)
- Lower Environmental Impact Products - EcoLabel (EPA)
- Save Electricity and Energy (Energy Star)
- Impervious Surface and Flooding (USGS)
- Natural Rain Garden (WA DOE & WSU Extension)
- Reduce Your Waste (EPA)
- Reduce Your Water Use (EPA)
- Ridesharing (Thurston Regional Planning Council)
- Lessen Your Communities Urban Pollution (EPA)
- Protect Our Wetlands (EPA)
- Protect Your Source Water (EPA)
- Reduce Your Water Use (EPA)
- What Is a Watershed? (USGS)
Contact Us
Contact our Water Quality program at (360) 867-2626 or email us at environmental_health@co.thurston.wa.us if you have additional questions.