Surface Water Management Division

Pollution Investigation and Technical Assistance Program

 

Where We Need Your Help - Reporting Pollution Problems

 

Typical problems you can identify and report for further investigation include:

Emergency Situations

A sudden threat to human health or the environment is an environmental emergency. Examples include spills of raw sewage, gasoline, chemicals, or radioactive discharge. Because of the potential for the presence of hazardous gases and other serious threats, do not attempt to document an environmental emergency. Immediately report the location of the event to 911.

Erosion

Wherever land clearing activities are taking place there is a potential for erosion. Erosion clogs streams and suffocates fish. If you see brown, sediment-laden water entering a ditch or stream, it should be reported.

Manure Problems

Farmers reapply manure as fertilizer during the growing season. If you observe manure being sprayed during the winter or oversprayed onto roadways or into local streams or ditches, report this. If you observe manure from equestrian facilities that can be polluting a creek, report this.

Petroleum Spills

Spills of oil and other petroleum products can be harmful for both people and fish. (Note that gasoline spills are listed under "Emergency Situations". Be careful in approaching these pollutants to protect your personal health and safety. The Washington State Department of Ecology and Snohomish County's Surface Water Source Control Program should do any close investigations of these pollutants types.

Report a Pollution Problem

Call the Water Quality Hotline: 425-388-6481

Fill out an Online Water Quality Complaint Form