Surface Water Management Division
Pollution Investigation and Technical Assistance Program
Reporting Water Quality Problems: A Citizen's Guide
What is the Problem?
Water pollution comes from a variety of sources. It is economically unfeasible to have pollution inspectors everywhere 24 hours a day. However, citizen reporting of pollution problems can help fill gaps in water quality protection.
How Citizens Can Help
Your observations can help federal, state, and local officials investigate and prosecute if necessary, pollution of local waters. By taking good notes and perhaps a picture or two, you can help local authorities respond to pollution when it is occurring.
How Your Information be Used
Local governments have different policies on how to respond to pollution events. Your information alerts local authorities and may lead to additional collection of evidence and possible enforcement. Most agencies consider technical assistance first before penalizing a polluter. All responses are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and generally consider:
- Past history of the violator
- Impact on the environment
- Was the violation done knowingly
Local authorities cannot promise that staff will be available to respond to all calls, but your information will be used to prioritize resources when constraints exist.
Mysterious!…But Not Dangerous
There are a few "not-so-obvious" situations where natural conditions create what appear to be serious pollution problems. Examples include:
- Iron oxide discharges. When oxygen poor, iron rich water surfaces, the iron becomes oxidized. This orange precipitate, iron oxide, helps support stringy algal growth, which is also orange. Much or all of a stream bottom and edge can turn orange in color from this growth.
- Foam. It is normal for some creeks to have a small amount of foam. The foam is caused by proteins and is not a pollution indicator. If you see handfuls of suds, it is probably due to soap, not this natural cause.
- Tannins and lignins. These natural compounds are derived from leaves and other organic materials and turn water a deep brown tea-like color. Some healthy water bodies have this color due to the presence of deciduous leafy material or a peat bog upstream.