Report Pollution 24 Hours a Day
Call 503-823-7180
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evidence of storm drain dumping
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leaking trash can
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illicit discharge
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The Environmental Services Spill Protection and Citizen Response section investigates pollution going to, threatening, or leaving Portland's sewer system. Someone washing paint down a storm drain, a strange looking discharge coming from a pipe on the river, or sewage coming out of a manhole are all things Spill Protection and Citizen Response investigates.
You can report pollution by calling the spill hotline at 503-823-7180 or by emailing officer@bes.ci.portland.or.us. It's also a good place to call if you don't know who to contact about an environmental concern or question.
Environmental Services staff monitor the hotline 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Staff answers the hotline during business hours. After hours and on weekends callers leave a voice mail and the on-call duty officer monitoring the hotline will respond within half an hour.
Spill Protection and Citizen Response staff are also in charge of these programs.
Septage Permitting
Septage is sewage pumped from domestic or household holding tanks, septic systems, or portable toilets. Portland's Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Plant will accept domestic sewage trucked to the plant. The City will not accept industrial sewage trucked to the treatment plant. The Septage Permitting Program protects the treatment plant from accepting trucked industrial wastewater. Haulers must meet specific guidelines before discharging waste trucked to the treatment plant.
Illicit Discharge Elimination Program (IDEP)
Portland's stormwater pipes should carry only stormwater runoff. Spill Protection and Citizen Response inspects and samples discharges from stormwater outfalls during the dry season from June to September to detect and stop illegal or accidental discharges to City storm sewers.
Portland established an Industrial Stormwater Program to monitor and control pollutants in stormwater runoff from industrial facilities. To obtain stormwater permits or to get more information about the program, call Michael Pronold at 503-823-7584.
Collection Systems Investigation
Spill Protection and Citizen Response staff investigates discharges that inhibit, constrict, obstruct or cause maintenance problems in the Portland sewer system. For more information call John McGregor at 503-823-7374.
