Water Pollution: Who To Call And Contact?

Water pollution is a pressing issue that affects countries worldwide. If you witness or experience an environmental, health, or regulatory concern, you can submit an environmental complaint. Depending on the nature of the issue, you can contact your local council, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), or another relevant authority. For instance, if you suspect a wetlands violation, you should contact the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency office for your region. It is beneficial to remain an active participant in the investigation process and provide any necessary information or evidence.

Local council or EPA

If you are experiencing an environmental emergency or are witnessing an environmental event that poses an imminent threat to human health or the environment, contact the National Response Center. If you suspect that a wetlands violation has occurred, you should contact the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) office for your region. If the violation concerns workplace conditions, such as exposure to chemicals or noxious fumes, you should get in touch with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

If the issue is more local, you can make a complaint to your local council or the EPA. If you are unsure about which organization to contact, the local council is responsible for dealing with complaints that do not involve a site regulated by the EPA. If the local council has not addressed the problem in a reasonable period, or if you are not satisfied with the outcome, you may lodge a complaint with the EPA. The EPA is committed to protecting people and the environment from the harmful effects of pollution and provides a simple system for members of the public to make complaints about environmental pollution.

You can submit an environmental complaint to the EPA online or by phone. If you call outside of normal business hours, you will reach their out-of-hours service and will be able to leave a message. If the matter is an emergency, it will be assessed that day by an EPA officer. When you make a complaint about an environmental issue, you will be asked to give your name and contact details.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you should be aware that an investigator will still be in touch with you to discuss your complaint and any additional information you may have. In most cases, an on-site investigation will be conducted to see if any environmental regulations have been violated. If the investigation reveals a violation, the investigator will take appropriate action to ensure that the problem is corrected.

Local United States Attorney's Office

If you are in the United States and need to report water pollution, it is recommended that you first contact the person or business you think is causing the problem. They may be unaware of the issue and may be willing to fix it. If you do not want to contact the person or business, you should make a complaint to your local council or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA is committed to protecting people and the environment from the harmful effects of pollution and provides a simple system for members of the public to make complaints about environmental pollution.

If your issue does not involve an EPA-regulated site, the EPA will pass on your complaint to the local authority for a response. Your local council will investigate your complaint, and if you are unsatisfied with their response, you may lodge a complaint with the EPA. The EPA will then review whether the local council has performed its duties adequately and decide whether to take further action.

Additionally, the EPA's Office of General Counsel (OGC) provides legal support and addresses legal issues related to pollution prevention. OGC attorneys work with regional attorneys and the local offices of the United States Attorney to represent the Agency in court challenges and litigation related to environmental issues. If you require legal representation or guidance regarding water pollution, you can contact law firms that specialize in environmental law, such as Oberheiden P.C. or the National Environmental Law Center (NELC). These firms can provide assistance and advocacy to protect your rights and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

It is important to note that different states and regions may have specific procedures for reporting water pollution. For example, in Texas, you can submit an environmental complaint to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) using their online form or by contacting your Regional Office. They are available 24 hours a day to receive complaints and will work with you to address the issue.

Environmental Protection Agency

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an organization committed to protecting people and the environment from the harmful effects of pollution. The EPA provides a system for members of the public to make complaints about environmental pollution, disturbance, or damage. If you come across an environmental problem, the quickest resolution may be to contact the person or business you think is causing the problem, as they may not be aware and may be happy to fix it. If you do not want to contact the person or business, you should make a complaint to your local council or the EPA. This depends on who is causing the problem, as your local council is responsible for dealing with complaints that do not involve a site regulated by the EPA. If the issue does not involve an EPA-regulated site, the EPA will pass on your complaint to the local authority for a response.

If you know that the source of the problem is a site that operates under an EPA license, permit, or authorization, you should contact the EPA. You can also make a complaint about the performance of a local council. Your local council will investigate your complaint, and if it is about an EPA-regulated site, the council will pass on your complaint to the EPA. In the United States, you can contact the EPA to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem. The EPA supports efforts under the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act to protect and restore the nation's waters and ensure that every American has access to clean, safe water. The EPA has also paid attention to PFAS, or persistent chemicals, and their efforts to identify and control industrial sources of them.

To make an environmental complaint to the EPA, you can submit your complaint online or call the EPA. If you call outside of normal business hours, you will reach the out-of-hours service and can leave a message that will be reviewed the next working day. If the matter is an environmental emergency, it will be assessed that day by an EPA officer. When making a complaint, you will be asked to give your name and contact details, which are considered personal data. If you have chosen to remain anonymous, an investigator will still be in touch with you to discuss your complaint and any additional information you may have. An on-site investigation will be conducted to see if any environmental regulations have been violated. If the investigation reveals a violation, appropriate action will be taken to ensure that the violation is corrected.

In addition to the EPA, there are other organizations that you can contact to report water pollution. For example, in Texas, you can submit an environmental complaint to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) using an online form or by phone. The TCEQ is available 24 hours every day to receive complaints under its jurisdiction.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is the environmental agency for the state of Texas. It is the fourth-largest environmental agency in the United States, with approximately 2,800 employees, 16 regional offices, and a $420 million operating budget for the 2016 fiscal year. The TCEQ was formed in 1991 when the Texas Legislature combined the Texas Water Commission and the Texas Air Control Board to create the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission. In 2001, the agency's name was changed to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

The TCEQ is committed to protecting the state's public health and natural resources, with a focus on clean air, clean water, and the safe management of waste. The commission has three full-time commissioners, appointed by the governor for six-year terms, who establish the overall agency direction and policy. The TCEQ is available 24 hours a day to receive complaints under its jurisdiction. The best way to request TCEQ action is to submit an environmental complaint using the online form or by phone. When making a complaint, it is beneficial to remain an active participant in the investigation process, which may include answering investigator requests and providing any relevant evidence or documentation.

The Office of Air within the TCEQ oversees all air-permitting activities and works to protect and restore air quality through various programs such as Air Implementation Grants and Air Quality Planning. The Air Permits Division processes permits and authorizations for facilities that will emit contaminants into the atmosphere. The TCEQ also has an Office of Compliance and Enforcement, which enforces compliance with state environmental laws, responds to emergencies, oversees dam safety, and monitors air quality.

The TCEQ provides a range of services, including permitting, reporting, and fee payments, through its online platforms. The commission also hosts events such as the Environmental Trade Fair and Conference, which provide opportunities for education, networking, and discussion of environmental issues and solutions.

National Response Center

Water pollution is a pressing issue, and it is important to know who to contact in the event of an incident. One key organization to be aware of is the National Response Center (NRC). The NRC is a vital component of the United States' response framework for environmental emergencies. Here is some detailed information about the NRC:

The National Response Center is a critical part of the federally established National Response System. It operates 24 hours a day and is staffed by the U.S. Coast Guard. The center serves as the primary point of contact for reporting specific types of environmental incidents across the United States and its territories. These incidents include:

• Oil, chemical, radiological, biological, and etiological discharges into the environment: The NRC is responsible for receiving reports of any releases or spills of hazardous substances, including oil and chemicals, that could potentially impact water bodies and the environment as a whole.
• Railroad incidents: Any incidents involving railroads that may result in environmental contamination or pollution should be reported to the NRC.
• Maritime reports of suspicious activity and security breaches: The NRC also handles reports of suspicious activities and security concerns within the waters of the United States and its territories.

To contact the National Response Center, you can call 800-424-8802. This number is available in both English and Spanish. When you report an incident to the NRC, it triggers the National Contingency Plan and activates the federal government's response capabilities. The NRC staff will notify the designated On-Scene Coordinator for the area and collect all relevant information to facilitate a swift and effective response.

Remember, the National Response Center is specifically tasked with handling reports of environmental incidents, particularly those involving the release of hazardous substances. For other types of water pollution concerns or local issues, you may need to contact different authorities, such as your local or regional environmental agencies. Nonetheless, the NRC plays a crucial role in addressing water pollution emergencies and ensuring a coordinated response from the federal government.

Frequently asked questions