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Signs of Environmental Violations

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Criminal Investigations

In your everyday life you may come across signs that someone has broken an environmental law. These violations may not always be obvious.

Below we list some signs of possible environmetnal law violations. If you come across these signs, please report them using the EPA's Report an Environmental Violation form.

On this page you will find information on:

Possible environmental violations:

Containers or drums that appear to be abandoned (for example, you find them in a forest, along a roadside or otherwise in a place where it appears they do not belong), especially if they are corroded or leaking.

photograph of inspectors in protective gear looking at drums

 

 

 

 

Dead fish in streams or waterways, particularly if the water appears to contain foreign substances (such as detergent, bleach, chemicals or has a strange color).
photograph of dead fish on river bank

 

 

 

Dead animals, alongside a river bank, or in a field.
 

 

Discolored and/or stressed, dying plant life
photograph of destressed vegetation along waterway

 

 

 

 

Foul smelling or oddly colored discharges on to the ground or into a stream or waterway.
photograph of debris in waterway

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visible sheens on the ground or in the water.
photograph of slick on the surface of a pond

 

 

 

 

Foul smelling or strange looking emissions into the air.
photograph of air emissions

 

 

 

 

 

Stains around drains, sinks, toilets or other wastewater outlets
photograph of stained drain

 

 

 

Pipes or valves that appear to allow the bypass of wastewater treatment systems.

Pipes or valves that would allow for discharge from a plant that appear hidden

photograph of pipe dumping waste

 

 

 

 

Building demolition that may involve illegal removal of asbestos or other hazardous materials
photograph of asbestos removal

 

 

 

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Also be aware of odd activities, such as:

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Remember: Your Safety Comes First

EPA does not want you to put yourself in harm's way. If you see any of these signs, please review our safety tips and do not try and investigate on your own - report what you see at www.epa.gov/tips.

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Are You Witnessing an Emergency?

If you believe you are witnessing an emergency situation that immediately threatens your health or the environment, see the Environmental Emergencies Web site or contact your local authorities.

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