See Something, Say Something: Pollution or Trash Dumping

By Dave Lykens, Acting Director
Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability

County environmental officials can’t be everywhere, so we appreciate it when people let us know when they see (or smell) something that doesn’t seem right to them. Reports from the public are a great compliment to our water quality monitoring.

Know Who to Call

If you see an environmental emergency, call one of the following 24-hour emergency lines:

• Department of Public Works’ Bureau of Utilities
  Call 410-887-7415 to report sewage overflows from a manhole, pumping station or elsewhere.
• Maryland Department of the Environment’s Emergency Response Division
  Call 1-866-633-4686 if you come across evidence of a chemical spill or a fish kill.
• Baltimore County 911 Emergency
  Call 911 to immediately report a dangerous or potentially life-threatening situation. You can also call 911 if you see someone illegally dumping trash and debris.

Report Pollution Online

To report less time-critical issues, such as a pile of dumped trash, wash water or other suspicious liquids flowing into a storm drain or stream, contact our Watershed Managers. You can report pollution online or by calling 410-887-5683 during regular business hours (between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.) on weekdays.