1. Public Health
  2. Environmental Health
  3. Environmental Hazards
  4. Environmental Spills & Complaints

Environmental Spills & Complaints

dumpster leaching

As COVID-19 continues to impact us locally, we will be closing all Public Health Madison & Dane County offices to the public effective Thursday, March 19, 2020.

Although this decision was not arrived at easily, it is a decision that we needed to make. We are prioritizing preserving the health and safety of our staff and clients while continuing to maintain our ability to provide essential services, including our response to COVID-19.

We will continue providing services through alternate avenues, detailed below, but at this time we are reducing our direct contact with the public.
 

Regular services will continue. Specifically:

  • Regular services will be continued when staff can maintain social distancing.
  • Response will be prioritized based on the severity of the hazards.


Storm sewers, ditches, and storm water ponds all carry contaminants from the roadways directly to our surface waters with no treatment. For this reason, no dumping is allowed. We:

  1. Investigate any complaint or stain indicating waste has been deposited on the street or in a gutter or storm sewer
  2. Work to identify the material, its source and responsible party
  3. Assess threats to human or environmental health
  4. Ensure proper remediation

To report a concern, please fill out an online report or call (608) 266-4821.  

Report a Problem

Common Complaints

  • Concrete Waste
    Construction work concrete runoff is highly alkaline, requiring 10,000 gallons of rain water to neutralize one gallon of concrete waste.
  • Waste Water
    Discharges from outside washing, discarding of mop water, or discharging carpet cleaning waste water in the gutter.
  • Used Cooking Oil
    Tipped over storage drums, and improper handling or containers filled beyond capacity resulting in spills.
  • Automotive Fluids
    Illegally discarded motor oil/antifreeze, or leaking vehicles
  • Paint
    Wet paint dumped in the storm sewer, or tool/brush clean-up in the gutter.
  • Leachate
    Garbage dumpsters can leak nutrient-rich liquid that fuels algae blooms and decreases available oxygen for aquatic life.
  • Sediment
    Pit dewatering without proper filtration.
  • Solid Waste
    Mulch, soil, garbage, deposited in the street/gutter, or improperly stored waste. 
  • Restaurant Hood Cleaning Waste
    Results in grease and chemical degreasers discharged to the lake.