Geothermal Heat Pumps
Financial Incentives
Geothermal Heat Pumps
Permit Requirements in Washington
Considering installing a geothermal heat pump? In Washington, geothermal heat pumps require permits. The location and design determine which permits apply. Permits for these systems are not new. However, many installers and property owners may not be aware of the requirements.
Contact the ORA Information Center at 1-800-917-0043 or help@ora.wa.gov for additional questions and assistance.
Open Loop Systems - Water Right and NPDES Permits
A water right is required if a system obtains water from the ground or surface water such as a lake, pond, or stream. Depending on the system design and water availability, priority processing as a non-consumptive, beneficial use may be available. Marine waters, including Puget Sound, do not require a water right.
Ecology Water Resources Pol 2020 - Priority Processing of Heat Pump Applications
Ecology Water Resources Pol 1020 - Consumptive and Non-consumptive Water Use
Heat pumps that discharge to a surface water body require a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit from Ecology. Annual fees are based on the schedule for Individual NPDES non-contact cooling water without additives (WAC 173-224-040). For a typical residential system that discharges10 gpm, annual fees are approximately $2,500 per year. A larger system that discharges 160 gpm requires a $10,000 annual fee. At this time, a General NPDES permit and exemptions for low volume discharges are not available.
Ecology Individual NPDES Fee Schedule for non-contact cooling water without additives (open loop surface water system)
Ecology Heat Pump/Air Conditioning Return Flow Wells (open loop ground systems)
Residential closed loop surface water systems do not require a NPDES permit at this time. However, closed loop commercial or municipal systems may require an Individual NPDES permit.