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, storm drains, or 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.
- For other complaints to the State Environmental Conservation Police, outside of an emergency, visit the Commendations and Complaint webpage.
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 video 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.
Air Pollution
Outdoor Air (Odors, emissions, burning, fugitive dust)
- Contact: DEEP Air Management at 860-424-3436 or email DEEP Air Complaints
Indoor Air Quality
- Heath Questions: Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) at 860-509-7742 or your local health department
- Workplace Issues - Public Sector Employees: CT Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health at 860-263-6900
- Workplace Issues - Private Sector Employees: Federal OSHA at 860-240-3152
- More Information: DPH Environmental and Occupational Health Assessment Program; EPA - Indoor Air Quality Information; Connecticut Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health (CONN-OSHA)
Animals
Dead Animals, Roadkill
- Contact: Town Public Works Department for local roads and CT Department of Transportation (DOT) for state roads at 860-594-2000
- More Information: Municipal Websites and DOT
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 (Illegal operation)
On State Parks, Forests, Trails
- Contact: DEEP Law Enforcement at 860-424-3333
- More Information: All-Terrain Vehicle Policy and Procedures
On All Other Property
- Contact: Local Police Department (Do NOT Call 911)
- More Information: Municipal Websites
Asbestos
Disposal
- Contact: DEEP Solid Waste Program at 860-424-3366
- More Information: Asbestos Disposal Authorization Fact Sheet
All Other Asbestos Issues
- Contact: Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) Asbestos Program at 860-509-7367
- More Information: DPH Asbestos Program
Boating
Safety Violations
- Contact: DEEP Law Enforcement at 860-424-3333
- More Information: Boating and Paddling
General Boating Concerns
Contact: DEEP Boating Division at 860-434-8638 or deep.boating@ct.gov
Coastal Issues
(Illegal docks, structures obstructing navigation, coastal wetlands, dredging and fill)
- Report a coastal violation: Wetlands, Watercourses, and Coastal Complaints Form
- Contact: DEEP Land and Water Resources Division at 860-424-3034
- More Information: Coastal Management Guidance and Standards
Drinking Water Quality
Public Water Supplies
- Contact: Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) at 860-509-7333
- More Information: 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.
More Information: EPA - Private Drinking Water Wells
Dumping
(Improper dumping or disposing of solid waste.)
- Contact: Your Town/City Public Works Department or DEEP's Solid Waste Program at 860-424-3366
- If the dumping is an environmental emergency, report to DEEP's Emergency Response Unit at 866-337-7745 or 860-424-3338
- More Information: Municipal Websites and Illegal Dumping
Excavations
- Contact: Call Before You Dig (CBYD) at 811 or 800-922-4455
- General Concerns: PURA CBYD Unit
- More Information: CBYD and PURA CBYD Program
Fishing
Illegal Activity
- Contact: DEEP Law Enforcement at 860-424-3333 or Turn in Poachers (TIP) at 800-842-4357
- More Information: Connecticut Fishing Guide
Fish Kills (dead/distressed fish)
- Coastal waters, Long Island Sound: DEEP Fisheries Division (Marine Program) at 860-434-6043
- Lakes/ponds, rivers/streams: DEEP Fisheries Division at 860-424-3474
- All locations and nights and weekends: DEEP Law Enforcement at 860-424-3333
Gas Leaks/Odors
- Contact: Natural Gas Distribution / Transmission Companies or Propane Distribution Companies
- General Concerns: PURA Gas Pipeline Safety Unit
- More Information: Natural Gas and Propane
Hunting (Illegal Activity)
- Contact: DEEP Law Enforcement at 860-424-3333 or Turn in Poachers (TIP) at 800-842-4357
- More Information: Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide
Lead Contaminated Soil or Debris
- Contact: DEEP Waste Management at 860-424-3023
Lead Paint/Lead Poisoning
- Contact: Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) at 860-509-7299
- More Information: DPH Lead Poisoning Prevention Program and EPA - Lead in Paint, Dust, and Soil
Mercury
Mercury Poisoning
- Contact: Poison Control Center at the UCONN Health Center at 1-800-222-1222 (Hearing impaired call 1-866-218-5372)
- More Information: EPA - Mercury Information
Mercury Spill
- Contact: DEEP Emergency Response and Spill Prevention at 860-424-3338
- More Information: Broken Thermometer Guidance
Noise
- Contact: Your local municipality
- More Information: Municipal Websites and Noise Control
Pesticides
- Contact: DEEP Pesticide Management Program at 860-424-3369
- More Information: EPA - Pesticides Information and EPA - Emergency Information
PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls)
- Contact: DEEP PCB Program at 860-424-3368
PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances)
- Contact: DEEP.PFAS@ct.gov
- More Information: Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
Radon
- Contact: Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) at 860-509-7299
- More Information: DPH Radon Program
Recycling
- Contact: DEEP Recycling Program at 860-424-3366
- More Information: Reduce/Reuse/Recycle
State Parks, Forests, and Trails
Illegal Activity: Contact DEEP Law Enforcement at 860-424-3333
General Conditions: Contact DEEP State Parks Office at 860-424-3200 or deep.stateparks@ct.gov
Underground Storage Tanks
- Contact: DEEP Storage Tank Enforcement Unit at 860-424-3374
Waste
Hazardous Waste (Abandoned, improper storage, or improper disposal)
- Contact: DEEP Waste Management at 860-424-3023 or 888-424-4193
Medical Waste (Improper Disposal)
- Contact: DEEP Solid Waste Program at 860-424-3366
Solid Waste (Improper Disposal)
- Contact: DEEP Solid Waste Program at 860-424-3366
Wastewater (Sewage) Treatment Facilities
(Collection system bypass or failure)
- Contact: DEEP Wastewater Facilities Management at 860-424-3704 (during normal business hours); 866-DEP-SPIL (866-377-7745) or 860-424-3338 (nights and weekends)
- More Information: Municipal Websites
Water Pollution
(Illegal discharges into streams/rivers or lakes)
NEW: Report Water Pollution Concerns here
Use the above link to report concerns related to water pollution. Submitted complaints are reviewed on an ongoing basis and will be investigated in accordance with the potential environmental harm and risk to public safety.
If you are representing a municipality and you are reporting a bypass, use the reporting instructions found on the Bypass Reporting for Municipalities webpage.
If your complaint is an environmental emergency, call DEEP's Emergency Response Unit 24 hours a day at 866-DEP-SPIL (866-337-7745) or 860-424-3338. Please see DEEP's Reporting Environmental Concerns and Problems webpage for additional reporting guidance.
Wetlands (Unauthorized fill or dredging)
Inland Wetlands
- Report: use the complaint form for inland wetlands work authorized by the state, work conducted on state owned land, or for administrative complaints regarding the municipal inland wetlands agency.
- Contact: Land and Water Resources Division at 860-424-3019
- More Information: Municipal Websites and Wetlands
Coastal Wetlands
- Report a Coastal Wetlands Violation: Wetlands, Watercourses, and Coastal Complaints Form
- Contact: Land and Water Resources Division at 860-424-3034
- More Information: Municipal Websites and Wetlands
Wildlife
Distressed Wildlife (sick, injured, orphaned)
- Contact: DEEP Wildlife Division at 860-424-3011
- More Information: Dealing with Distressed Wildlife
Nuisance Wildlife
- Contact: DEEP Wildlife Division at 860-424-3011
- More Information: Nuisance Wildlife Information and Suggestions
Don't Know Who to Call
Check the list of DEEP Program Phone Numbers or try the DEEP information line at 860-424-3000.
Content last updated on August, 2024