Reporting Environmental Concerns and Problems
Report an Environmental Emergency
If you are involved in or witness an environmental emergency, call DEEP's Emergency Response Unit 24 hours a day at 866-DEP-SPIL (866-337-7745) or 860-424-3338. (Should these numbers be unavailable for any reason, call 860-424-3333.)
What is an environmental emergency?
An environmental emergency is a situation that poses an immediate threat to public health or the environment resulting from the release or potential release of oil, hazardous chemicals or radioactive materials into the air, land or water. Environmental emergencies may include:
- Oil or chemical spills onto soil or into surface water, groundwater, or storm drains and sanitary sewers;
- Leaking or reacting drums of known or unknown chemical or hazardous waste;
- Leaking underground storage tank;
- Fires involving tires, PCBs, pesticides or other chemicals;
- Accidents involving the transportation of chemicals, oil or other petroleum products;
- Illegal disposal or handling of asbestos, and biomedical, radioactive or hazardous waste;
- Mercury spills.
- More information on reporting spills
- Licensed Spill Clean-Up Contractors
The following emergencies should be reported directly to the State Environmental Conservation Police at 860-424-3333:
- Boating accidents and drownings;
- Illegal or criminal activity on DEEP property (parks, forests, boat launches, etc.) such as motor vehicle or boating violations, narcotics, domestic abuse, assault, etc.
Report an Environmental Concern or Problem
Please note that many environmental issues are handled at the local level and not necessarily by DEEP. For concerns about trash, litter, noise, recycling pickup, and household chemical disposal including paints, pesticides, oil, antifreeze, etc., you should first try contacting your local selectmen, code enforcement officers, health department, or fire or police officials. You can find local contact information in the blue pages of your phone book and at the following websites:
Contact information for Local Health Departments
Municipal Aquifer Protection Contacts
If you have concerns regarding environmental issues in your community or work place that have not been resolved by your local officials and would like to notify DEEP about them, you may contact the Department at the telephone numbers listed below. Please be prepared to provide the following information. Caution: never put yourself at risk to get any of the information. Gather whatever information you can without trespassing or exposing yourself to harmful materials or situations.
- What? Describe the nature of the problem, violation or suspicious activity as completely as possible, including all information you think would be helpful. Complete, detailed reports can help determine the type of investigation needed. Photographs or videotape can be very helpful.
- Where? The location of the incident; be specific as possible including road or stream names and directions so our inspectors can locate the problem.
- When? The date and time the incident occurred or when you first noticed it. The sooner an incident is reported the greater likelihood that an environmentally protective response can be made.
- Who? A description of any people suspected to be involved, noting clothing and distinguishing features. If you know the company or individual(s) causing the problem, please give us that information. Also indicate which local officials you have previously contacted in your town regarding this environmental issue including: names, dates, information/photographs, action taken, etc.
- Vehicles or vessels? Any vehicles, vessels, etc. involved? Provide a description including registration or plate number, color, make, model, and the direction it was traveling.
- Containers? Indicate the size, shape, color and number of containers; the type (plastic, metal, etc.); condition (bulging, rusted, missing covers, etc.); any leaking material.
- Your contact information? All information provided to DEEP becomes part of the public record. You may file a complaint anonymously; in that case, however, DEEP will not be able to provide you with feedback and, if you do not supply sufficient information regarding the problem, we may not be able to investigate the complaint. Please note: in many cases you can be identified by your email address; if you wish to remain anonymous, you may need to file your complaint by phone.
The Connecticut Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) is a nine-member board that works independently of DEEP. If you observe an environmental problem that no other agency/municipality seems to be solving effectively, you can contact the CEQ to see if they can help. The CEQ will investigate and, if appropriate, recommend that a relevant agency take corrective action.
Concern or Problem Topic |
Who to Contact |
Additional Information |
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Air Pollution |
Outdoor Air (Odors, emissions, burning, fugitive dust) |
DEEP Air Management - 860-424-3436 or email deep.aircomplaints@ct.gov
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EPA - Air Pollution Information |
Indoor Air Quality | Health Questions: Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) 860-509-7742 or your local health department |
DPH Environmental and Occupational Health Assessment Program | |
Workplace Issues - Public Sector Employees: CT Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health - 860-263-6900 |
Connecticut Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health (CONN-OSHA) | ||
Workplace Issues - Private Sector Employees: Federal OSHA - 860-240-3152 |
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Animals
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Dead animals, roadkill |
Town Public Works Department For State roads:
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Dead birds | Report dead birds via the Wild Bird Mortality Database. If you see several dead birds (>5) in one location or notice that several birds die in the same area over the course of several days, testing of the dead birds may be warranted. Report the dead birds in the Database and also call the Wildlife Division at 860-424-3011. | ||
ATVs - All Terrain Vehicles
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On State Parks, Forests, Trails | DEEP Law Enforcement - 860-424-3333 | All-Terrain Vehicle Policy and Procedures |
On All Other Property | Local Police Department (Do Not Call 911) | ||
Asbestos
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Disposal | DEEP Solid Waste Program - 860-424-3366 | Asbestos Disposal Authorization Fact Sheet |
All other asbestos issues | Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) Asbestos Program 860-509-7367 |
DPH Asbestos Program | |
Boating
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Safety Violations | DEEP Law Enforcement - 860-424-3333 | Boating in Connecticut |
General Boating Concerns |
DEEP Boating Division - 860-434-8638 or deep.boating@ct.gov
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Coastal Issues
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DEEP Land and Water Resources Division - 860-424-3034
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Coastal Management Guidance and Standards | |
Drinking Water Quality
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Public Water Supplies | Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) - 860-509-7333 | DPH - Public Water System - Consumer Information |
Private Wells |
General questions/concerns regarding well water quality or well construction including routine potability testing should be directed to your Local health department.
Questions/concerns regarding known or suspected contamination of private wells, pollution resulting from human activities, including chemical or petroleum pollution, should be directed to DEEP's Remediation Program at 860-424-3705.
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EPA - Private Drinking Water Wells | |
Dumping
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Your Town/City Public Works Department DEEP's Solid Waste Program 860-424-3366 If the dumping is an environmental emergency, report to DEEP's Emergency Response Unit
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Excavations |
Call Before You Dig (CBYD) - 811 or 800-922-4455
General Concerns - PURA CBYD Unit
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Fishing
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Illegal Activity |
DEEP Law Enforcement - 860-424-3333
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Fish kills (Dead/distressed fish) |
Coastal waters, Long Island Sound: DEEP Fisheries Division (Marine) 860-434-6043 Lakes/ponds, rivers/streams:
All locations and nights and weekends:
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Gas Leaks/Odors
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General Concerns:
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Hunting
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DEEP Law Enforcement - 860-424-3333
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Lead Contaminated Soils or Debris
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DEEP Waste Management - 860-424-3023
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Lead Paint/Lead Poisoning
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Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) - 860-509-7299
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DPH Lead Poisoning Prevention Program | |
Mercury
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Mercury Poisoning | Poison Control Center at the UCONN Health Center at 1-800-222-1222 Hearing impaired - call 1-866-218-5372 |
EPA - Mercury Information |
Mercury Spill | DEEP Emergency Response and Spill Prevention - 860-424-3338 | Broken Thermometer Guidance | |
Noise
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Your local municipality
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Pesticides
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DEEP Pesticide Management Program - 860-424-3369
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EPA - Pesticides Information | |
PCBs ("Polychlorinated Biphenyls")
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DEEP PCB Program - 860-424-3368
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Radon
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Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH)
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Recycling
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DEEP Recycling Program - 860-424-3366
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Reduce/Reuse/Recycle | |
State Parks, Forests, Trails
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Illegal Activity | DEEP Law Enforcement - 860-424-3333 | |
General Conditions, etc. |
DEEP State Parks Office - 860-424-3200 or deep.stateparks@ct.gov
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Underground Storage Tanks
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DEEP Storage Tank Enforcement Unit - 860-424-3374
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Waste
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Hazardous Waste
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DEEP Waste Management - 860-424-3023 or 888-424-4193 | |
Medical Waste (Improper Disposal) |
DEEP Solid Waste Program - 860-424-3366 | ||
Solid Waste (Improper Disposal) |
DEEP Solid Waste Program - 860-424-3366 | ||
Wastewater (Sewage) Treatment Facilities
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DEEP Wastewater Facilities Management -
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Water Pollution
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DEEP Water Enforcement - 860-424-3025
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Wetlands
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Inland Wetlands Coastal Wetlands
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Wildlife
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Distressed Wildlife(Sick, injured, orphaned) | DEEP Wildlife Division - 860-424-3011 | Dealing with Distressed Wildlife |
Nuisance Wildlife | DEEP Wildlife Division - 860-424-3011 | Nuisance Wildlife Information and Suggestions | |
Don't know who to call?
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Check the list of DEEP Program Phone Numbers or try the DEEP information line - 860-424-3000.
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