Garbage & Waste

Northeast Tri County Health District (NETCHD) is involved in permitting and monitoring how garbage and other waste is handled in Ferry, Pend Oreille and Stevens Counties. The Health District works to assure compliance with:

• Criteria for Municipal Solid Waste Landfills - WAC 173-351
• Minimum Functional Standards for Solid Waste Facilities - Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 70.95, WAC 173-304
• NETCHD Solid Waste Handling Regulations­ (PDF)
• Solid Waste Handing Standards - WAC 173-350

Garbage Disposal & Recycling Facilities

Garbage must be disposed of at an approved Solid Waste Facility. Listed below are approved facilities in Ferry, Pend Oreille and Stevens counties:

• Ferry County Transfer Station
• Pend Oreille County Transfer Station
• Stevens County Landfill and Transfer Station

Recyclable materials, such as appliances, construction debris, yard waste and metals, may be disposed at recycling centers for specific items.

• Ferry County
• Pend Oreille County
• Stevens County

If you are a facility owner or are planning to start operations please see the Notice of Intent to Operate an Exempt Recycling or Materials Recovery Facility (PDF).

Garbage & Waste Complaints

We investigate complaints concerning the following activities:

• Illegal dumping on private or public property without the owner's permission
• Improper storing of hazardous waste
• Burning of non-vegetative materials
• Uncontained putrescible garbage or excessive amounts of waste

When a complaint is reported, we investigate the concern and work to resolve the issue with involved parties.

Conditions Investigated by Other Agencies

Northeast Tri County Health District does not investigate the following types of complaints. Resources are provided below on who to contact.

• Air quality or burn ban enforcement. Contact the Washington State Department of Ecology.
• Junk on property or code violations. Contact your city government office.
• Hazardous material spill or release. To report a spill of oil or hazardous materials contact your local fire department or the Washington State Department of Ecology.
• Employee complaints of workplace safety are investigated by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.