Are there any environmental organizations who would help an individual with an environmental problem?

Question

This is an issue regarding sewage and storm-water dumping from properties above, resulting in severe property damage and a bad health situation. Local government has been uncooperative, likely covering for those who want to avoid fixing the problem.

Answer 1

It *really* depends on where you live. What state do you live in? I'm assuming you live in the US. If you live in California, feel free to contact me, as I work for a water regulatory agency for CA. If not, try either your State level health services or EPA. EPA does have jurisdiction as does your state health services, unfortunately finding the right person is challenging, to say the least.

The thing about stormwater discharge is that the Federal Clean Water act requires a discharge permit NPDES permit). You need to be able to find who is the permitting agency, and then you need to talk to them. The stormwater permits are called MS4 permits (I can't remember what that stands for) and info about them may help to search out who you need. Again, I don't know where you live, so I can't help you any more than that.

I do have to say that sometimes unfortunately, it takes a long time to get an agency to do something. I've seen at least one case in particular where the agency had to do an enormous amount of work and the discharge in question was a relatively minor one, so the agency wasn't able to get to it as quickly as the person wanted them to. Basically, it was that the agency didn't have enough staff people (2 for millions of acres) and had to get staffed up better. That took awhile, but then they started dealing with it. What you can do is take notes, document incidents, take photos!!!, and be politely persistent, all these things can help. I hate to say that it's not 100%, but in my experience, especially if you don't alienate the staff members of the agency, they'll help you as much as they can. Anywho, good luck!


Here are a couple of links that may help...

http://www.epa.gov/ebtpages/watewastewnationalpollutantdischargee.html is the EPA site for the permits

Stormwater state agency contacts
http://cfpub1.epa.gov/npdes/contacts.cfm?program_id=6&type=STATE

Drinking water hotline
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/hotline/index.html

Answer 2

Your local government HAS to give you the NEXT level in the chain of command with regards to Environmental enforcement. I would ask them first who that agency is... I think that just by your inquiry it'd demonstrate that you DO intend that the problem be solved properly and they will be more likely to take your concerns much more seriously. It is clearly a violation of the US Clean Water Act as it IS resulting in contamination of surface waters. If they prove to be uncooperative, then call your state or provincial ombudsman for the proper agency to contact. That is the ROLE of the Ombudsman's Office and they can direct you to the correct agency to voice your concerns.

Raji the Green Witch

Answer 3

Contact the EPA (USEPA). They are the federal agency in charge of enforcing the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1972 that addresses the issues of both drinking water and wastewater.
You should check first on the state level as the state is generally charged with enforcing this law for the EPA. When the state is negligent or you do not recieve satisfaction, the next step is with the EPA.
You do not specify what state you reside in but all states have their own written laws regarding wastewater. You need to obtain these laws(internet) and educate yourself on them. This will force local goverment to take you more seriously.
Befriend someone who works in the water/wastewater industry and they can be good source of info regarding the rules and the name of the rules. The rules are often found in the state goverment code.
And I sympathize with you as we have a somewhat similiar good ole' boy thing happening here that is being fought.

Answer 4

I would try to contact your local authorities again, documenting everything said and who you spoke with. Take lots of pictures. Then start walking up the food chain. City, County, State, and if all of those fail, go Federal. Document everything. Get phone numbers and names of everyone you talk to. At some point, if you start getting stonewalled by the officials, contact your local media organizations (newspapers, tv stations, radio) and tell them what is going on. There is nothing like a little bad press to get things moving.

If your health has been affected, then also contact your local DHS (Dept Health Services). Go up their food chain as well if you do not get results. Everyone has to answer to someone.

Answer 5

Contact a civil lawyer. Sue them. Both the town and each individual responsible. The EPA has paid out more in lawyers fees than it ever has in settlements. Don't depend on the government to come to your rescue, they didn't come to New Orleans' rescue.

Browse for "Walkerton, Ontario" or "Walkerton tainted water scandal". Seven dead and 2,500 made deathly ill by tainted water. Exactly the situation you are in right now.
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Answer 6

In my local area, the Sierra Club is working on sewage and storm-water separation issues. I would contact your local chapter and see if they might be able to help you find those you need to connect with. Many chapters have lawyers, lobbyists and even senators who are members and are willing to help out other members.

Good luck!

Answer 7

I would call the local EPA there are several congressional acts that protect the environment and hold parties responsible for the clean up including local goveernment entities

Answer 8

I would look in the phone book for local regulatory agencies on you state level. That said the EPA is a good place to file a complaint as well.

~

Answer 9

If you live in the US, contact you state department of environmental quality and tell them that there is an unpermitted discharge that is reaching a navigable water.

If you do not live in the US, please tell us what country you are in so we can research this further for you.

Answer 10

I would call your local newstation and tell them about it, that should stir up some interest and get things rolling.