Report an environmental problem

Have you discovered possibly illegal polluting activities? Informed, active local residents are the single most critical component of pollution control. Government agencies are limited in funds, so they’re usually “complaint-driven”: they rely on reports from people like you to know where violations are happening.

There are a few simple steps you can take to report environmental problems in your area to the appropriate agency, get your neighbors involved, and make a real difference!

1. Take notes- and take pictures. These can be useful later to prove that you saw what you did. See our Guide to Documentary Photography. If you’d like CWFNC to be able to use your photos, please download our Media Release Form.

2. Determine who you should contact to report the situation. Understand that not all pollution is illegal – but individuals or companies typically need permits to pollute, which come from various agencies. Many environmental problems can be reported by contacting the appropriate division within your regional Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) office. If you try to contact the appropriate division and they don’t respond to your concerns, please contact CWFNC.

List of Divisions within DENR:

Division of Air Quality: air emissions, incinerators, odor control, open burning
Division of Water Quality: surface water pollution, groundwater pollution
Division of Environmental Health: public water systems (water treatment plants, and wells serving more than 25 residents)
Division of Waste Management: underground storage tanks, landfills, incinerators, septic management, composting
Division of Land Resources: erosion and sediment control

For other drinking water problems, you may need to contact one of the following:
County Health Departments: inquiries about private wells
NC Utilities Commission: privately-owned public water systems and all other utilities
Consumer Services Division, 4326 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-4326
Toll Free 1-866-380-9816