Office of Emergency Response

Please help protect Ohio’s environment by identifying and reporting environmental concerns and violations. If you are witnessing a significant release or an environmental emergency that is ongoing, please call Ohio EPA's 24-hour emergency hotline 1-800-282-9378 or (614) 224-0946. To report a suspected non-emergency, environmental violation or concern, contact the appropriate Ohio EPA ER operations unit as listed on the Contacts tab during normal business hours (M-F between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.). Once a complaint is filed, Ohio EPA will further investigate your concerns.

• Illegal disposal and abandonment of waste (solid waste, hazardous waste, tires and construction and  demolition debris).
• Dumping or discharging industrial or agricultural waste into rivers, lakes ditches, storm sewers or to wastewater treatment plants.
• Malfunctioning wastewater treatment plants.
• Smoke or heavy dust emissions from industrial facilities.
• Drinking water with unusual tastes, odors or loss of water pressure.
• Burning of trash, garbage, oily wastes, tires and other materials.
• Destruction, draining and/or filling of wetlands.
• Demolition projects in buildings containing asbestos.
• Falsification of environmental documents such as manifests, sampling results, and discharge reports.
• False statements made to regulatory personnel.

An environmental emergency is an immediate and significant threat to public health and/or the environment due to the release of materials to the environment. While an emergency can also constitute a violation, an emergency should be reported immediately to Ohio EPA’s 24-hour spill hotline at 1-800-282-9378 or (614) 224-0946. Examples of emergencies to be reported by calling 1-800-282-9378 include:

• Petroleum spills;
• Chemical spill;
• Fires involving chemicals and/or petroleum;
• Accidents causing the release of pollutants to Ohio’s waterways. Industrial chemicals when not properly managed can cause environmental problems; in addition, spills of materials that seem harmless can cause environmental harm if not properly addressed.  For example, large spills of milk and molasses have all caused fish kills in Ohio streams.

No, some issues may be under the jurisdiction of federal, other state or local agencies. Ohio EPA does not regulate the following. read more...

• Private septic systems serving one-, two-, or three-family homes (Ohio Department of Health)
• Private drinking water wells (Ohio Department of Health)
• Worker safety issues
• Radon and mold (indoor air quality) (Ohio Department of Health)
• Illegal collection of plants or capture or poaching of wildlife (Ohio Department of Natural Resources)
• Illegal mining (Ohio Department of Natural Resources)
• Noise
• Drainage and flooding issues
• Petroleum and fuel underground storage tanks (USTs) (Ohio Department of Commerce, State Fire Marshal Division)

You do not have to provide any personal information in order for Ohio EPA to review your complaint. However, by providing your name and contact information, Ohio EPA will be able to contact you to clarify information or gather additional information from you to help investigate your concerns.  All the information submitted, including your contact information may be considered public information and may be released upon request.

Disclaimer:  Information provided in a complaint may be used by Ohio EPA to investigate and potentially seek penalties for violations of law.  Therefore, the information provided must be true and accurate to the best of your knowledge. Ohio EPA will use the information you provide to determine whether an investigation is warranted.

The State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) finalized a set of eight (8) release reporting rules (3750-25-01; 3750-25-05; 3750-25-10; 3750-25-12; 3750-25-13; 3750-25-15; 3750-25-20; and 3750-25-25), effective June 30, 1993. The purpose of this section is to make you aware of your reporting obligations in case of a discharge or release.

All verbal notifications made under these rules are to be reported to the Ohio EPA’s Emergency Response Section, Local Emergency Planning District(s) which may be affected, and the jurisdictional fire department(s).

An owner or operator is required to report a release or discharge under 3750.06 of the Ohio Revised Code anytime there is a release or spill of a regulated chemical which exceeds its assigned Reportable Quantity (RQ) and leaves the facility property line. For complete details about which substances are subject to the release reporting requirements, please refer to the State Emergency Response Commission website or release reporting requirement section of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know (Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3750) Facility Reporting Compliance Manual.